Council Briefs
	APEGGA Council held its first meeting in the D. A. Lindberg Conference Centre on Nov. 25 with President Darrel Danyluk, P.Eng., presiding (left). The new facility, located in APEGGA's head office in Edmonton, is equipped with state-of-the-art audio and video conferencing systems and can be reconfigured for use for numerous other APEGGA functions, including committee and board meetings.

APEGGA Budget Calls
For Fees to Stay the Same

APEGGA's budget for the coming year calls for membership fees to stay unchanged (at $165 for full Professional Members). Other membership/permit levies also remain at 1999 levels.

Council approved a budget for 2000 based on projected revenues of $6,128,100 and expenses of $5,806,818. The projected year-end figures for 1999 are expected to show revenues of $5,570,126 and expenses totaling $5,414,843.

Revenue projections for the coming year are based on a continuing growth in membership, resulting in added proceeds of $397,000, while growth from other activities are expected to add $103,000 to revenues.

An expenditure increase of $110,000 is anticipated for an enhanced communication program related to compliance. Professional Development (PD) is expected to see added outlays of $54,000, half of which is expected to be recouped through PD-related fees.

As in past years, most Association revenue ($4.2 million) comes via Member dues, while registration fees and examination fees are expected to generate respectively $228,000 and $90,000.

Included in the budget are provisions for capital expenditures of $217,000 to cover computer equipment upgrades, office renovations and additions to audio/visual equipment.

Timing of AGM

APEGGA staff will continue to investigate the possibility of changing the time of year when the APEGGA Annual General Meeting is held. Student Liaison Committees at the Universities of Calgary and Alberta will be consulted.

M.I.T. Program

Following recommendations by the Professional Development Committee, Council approved enhancement of the Member-in-Training program. The improved program includes development of a series of courses for M.I.T.s, on management and communication skills. The first half-day sessions are expected to be offered next fall.

The revamping of the program followed a survey which sampled M.I.T.s and employers. Eighty per cent of M.I.T.s questioned were receptive to the courses. Seventy-two per cent of employer Members questioned said they would "insist or encourage their M.I.T.s to attend".

Participation in the courses is particularly important given the Board of Examiners' expectation that those seeking professional standing demonstrate evidence of exposure to communication and management skills training.

Computers for Schools

APEGGA will encourage the Computers for Schools program by urging Members to become involved by contributing surplus computers to the program. Backed by the federal and provincial governments as well as private and volunteer sector partners, the national program collects and refurbishes computers no longer in use and distributes them free to schools and public libraries. For more information on the program check website: http://www.schoolnet.ca/cfs-ope/donate_e.html

Use of APEGGA Logo

Council accepted a recommendation that APEGGA Members and Permit Holders be encouraged to use the APEGGA logo on business cards, stationery, signage, professional advertisements, and websites.

Statutory Committees

Council has adopted a policy to phase out APEGGA Councillors' serving on the Association's five statutory boards and committees. The initiative arises from recommendations of the Statutory Committee Task Force, headed by Past President Dan Motyka, P.Eng. The task force has held discussion with the current chairs of the Board of Examiners, the Discipline Committee, the Appeal Board, the Investigative Committee and the Practice Review Board.

While it's agreed these committees and boards have functioned well with one or more Councillors as members, the task force noted the "need to be and be seen to be at arms length" and that "the perception of impartiality and transparency is important and should be protected."

Not having Councillors participate in these bodies will require changes to APEGGA's bylaws, regulations and/or Act. Implementation therefore is dependent on these changes. Councillors who are currently members of statutory committees and boards abstained on the vote.

Presidential Honorarium

Past President Dan Motyka, P.Eng., will report to the February Council meeting on the question of an honorarium for APEGGA presidents. Mr. Motyka will consult former APEGGA presidents and others. A proposal to provide a stipend to APEGGA presidents was presented and tabled at the 1999 Annual General Meeting.

CCPE Report

Canadian Council of Professional Engineers Alberta Director Fred Otto, P.Eng., PhD, reported on a recent CCPE development involving an out-of-court settlement of the dispute involving CCPE, on the one side, and Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, on the other. The dispute centres on the use of the term "software engineer" in connection with a non-accredited MUN program offered outside its engineering faculty.

Under the out-of-court settlement, an advisory panel is being formed to study and report on the issue with recommendations that will be seriously considered by both sides. A CCPE advisory committee will develop a submission for presentation to the panel.

Dr. Otto said the settlement is "uncomfortable" but must be seen in a "global context". APEGGA's Council has voiced concern about the process by which the CCPE-AUCC/MUN agreement was reached -- including a lack of involvement by the constituent associations.

Dr. Otto also reported that there will be no change in the per member levy ($8.65) that CCPE assesses on constituent associations. New CCPE activities in the coming year include implementing an emerging technologies program and an enhanced media relations program.

CCPG Report

Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists Alberta Director Bob Comer, P.Geoph., in reporting on a recent CCPG national meeting noted that a draft inter-association mobility agreement for geoscientists is expected to be ready in the new year. It is expected to be similar to an accord signed last summer on engineers' mobility. Mr. Comer also reported that New Brunswick legislation for registration of professional geoscientists was scheduled for implementation on Dec 1.

Education Foundation

Two new members have been recommended to the APEGGA Education Foundation to represent branches. They are: Barry Ranger, P.Eng, (Vermilion River) and John Take, P.Eng. (Lethbridge).

Professional Practice Exams

APEGGA Deputy Registrar and Director of Administration Al Schuld, P.Eng., presented a report on a pilot National Professional Practice Examination project. Under the pilot initiative, on a cost-recovery basis, APEGGA now administers the exam on behalf of six other jurisdictions. With consideration being given to APEGGA administering a French-language version of the exam, Ontario and Quebec may participate.


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