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The APEGGA Education Foundation Board met Sept. 9 and the
following are some of the highlights.
Scholarships and Awards
The board has two liaison committees on this, one with the
University of Alberta and the other with the Unversity of
Calgary. Edmonton committee members met with their university
colleagues during the summer and have produced a report with
recommendations that was presented to the board.
The university did not favour creation of new scholarships
or like initiatives, but would rather see new monies put into
increasing the amount of present scholarships and supporting
existing programs.
The board has acted on one of the latter by approving the
funding of a plaque to be presented to the top performing
student in the Faculty of Extension's Certificate Management
Program, specifically for members of APEGGA.
A number of the U of A initiatives need volunteer support
to operate. The university notes that these volunteers are
already overtaxed. It seems there is an opportunity here for
APEGGA members to provide manpower, as well as funds.
The scholarship selection committee has been busy reviewing
applicants for the Millenium Scholarships (yes, there are
two of them now!). This year there were 38 applicants to be
reviewed by Director Dr. Ron Lawson, P.Eng., and his team,
and the selection of the best has been a challenge.
A request was put to the board to award additional Millenium
scholarships in view of the fact that some of the other APEGGA
scholarships have not been applied for. The board, in consultation
with APEGGA, has concluded that funds are not transferable
from one scholarship to another, but has agreed that if there
is a "tie" for awards, then the board will award
some additional scholarships beyond the two from their its
funds. This avoids an award "lottery" where candidates
are equally qualified.
The board is still waiting on a report from the liaison committee
in Calgary.
Other Business
APEGGA and the Foundation will host the annual Excellence
in Education Award Nights in Calgary on Oct. 28 and in Edmonton
on Nov. 6. Recipients of scholarships and teacher awards will
be honoured. Attendance is by invitation only because of the
large numbers involved.
Bylaw revision is being pursued. Foundation President Norman
Orr, P.Eng., and APEGGA designate member, Ross Plecash, P.Eng.,
will meet with APEGGA counsel and Corporate Registry of Alberta
Government Services to try to resolve.
The business of your Foundation seems to move slowly at times,
but we should remember that it is being run by unpaid volunteers
who take the time out of their own busy schedules to keep
it running. We should be thankful for that.
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