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Jack MacKenzie died last month. He was 83. I
never met Jack, had never even heard his name. I expect you
never did either.
Jack was a veteran, a father, a businessman, an engineer,
a lifelong friend of Ernest Manning and a philanthropist.
He made a fortune and gave most of it away to strangers. He
helped many people very quietly. He wanted it that way. I
wish I had known him.
Most of us are not philanthropists in the sense that we have
a fortune to give away, but we do what we can. We volunteer
our time and help if we are able. I know, I see you doing
it.
Chances are that you volunteer, maybe it's with Cubs, or
your community association, the kids' soccer team or hockey.
My friend Mark, an engineer, spends the day before Christmas
at the Mustard Seed Ministry every year. He took me along
this past Christmas and we helped prepare dinner for a thousand
needy people. Several other APEGGA members were there that
day. I saw them, pitching in, doing what they could, helping
in some small way.
Do you help at your local school or church? How about Meals
on Wheels, or Habitat for Humanity? The choices are endless.
New APEGGA Council member Dave Chalcroft, P.Eng., is involved
with RedR, Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief, an international
organization whose name says it all.
APEGGA is a volunteer-driven organization. We have more than
600 volunteers actively participating in the day-to-day functions
of this organization.
Perhaps you are active with one of our branches right across
the province, or the Outreach Program. It could be that you
serve on the Practice Review Board, the Practice Standards
committee or the Environment committees. The regulatory aspects
of APEGGA are vital to our professions, including the Board
of Examiners, the Discipline, Investigative and Enforcement
Review Committees, and the Appeal Board.
There are too many to name, but the variety means that there
is something for everyone. Communications Planning, GeoScience
Liaison, Honours and Awards, Joint Board of Practice and the
Professional Development Committee are just some of the options.
Most of us go about our lives quietly, making a living, raising
our families, making a difference in some small way. Hardly
anyone notices, and just like Jack MacKenzie, it seems we
like it that way.
Well, I noticed, and have just one thing to say. Thanks,
and keep up the good work.
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