The following items were on the agenda or were discussed
during the April 22 APEGGA Council meting in Calgary.

Student Membership

Council has endorsed specifics of an enhanced APEGGA program for university students. It entails student membership in the Association and students (second through fourth year) to access member services, such as insurance. Communication aimed at students would be augmented. The program is expected to cost $345,000 a year and generate revenues of $10,000 (from sale of business cards to students). The voluntary program’s effectiveness will be gauged by tracking student participation; monitoring student hits on the APEGGA website; e-mail feedback; and a survey after a year’s operation. To date, most APEGGA on-campus involvement has centred on fourth-year students. A report submitted by APEGGA Director, Professional Developement Len Shrimpton, P.Eng., said: "it is important that APEGGA build an early relationship with these future professionals and that the students have a positive attitude toward APEGGA." Specific program objectives are: assisting students to better understand the professions; increasing visibility of APEGGA to students; increasing awareness and participation in APEGGA programs and services; and increasing professional member participation in student activities.

CCPG Support

Council has approved additional support of $8,000 to the Canadian Council of Professional Geoscientists (CCPG) to meet a budgetary shortfall. The money would provide partial funding of travel expenses incurred by the CCPG Alberta Director and the CCPG Executive. Alberta CCPG Director Bob Comer, P.Geoph., reported on CCPG involvement in a mail survey of geologists by the U.S. National Association of State Boards of Geology.

CCPE Appointments

CCPE Executive Committee Member Noel Cleland P.Eng., has been appointed a CCPE Alberta Director for two years. Under CCPE’s new governance structure, to be implemented later this year to replace the current weighted voting system, APEGGA can appoint two board members. Current Alberta Director Fred Otto, P.Eng., PhD, stays on the CCPE Board until 2000. At present, CCPE Executive members, such as Mr. Cleland, cease to be CCPE Directors when elected to the Executive. Council was told CCPE will provide financial assistance (through CUSO) to Canadian engineers assisting in Honduras following the Caribbean weather-related disaster.

Climate Change

Acting on recommendations by the Environment Committee, Council has endorsed actions on climate change suggested by the Environment Committee. Most are communication and promotional initiatives, and include publication of an APEGGA Statement on Climate Change to heighten dialogue and awareness.

Geoscience Action Plan

• publication of a "Professional Geosciences in Alberta" pamphlet aimed at a wide member and non-member readership;
  
• enhanced geoscience coverage through The PEGG and APEGGA’s website;
  
• positive communication to non-member geoscientists in areas such as compliance; and
  
• strengthened APEGGA ties with geoscience technical societies.

The presentation by Coun. Neil O’Donnell, P.Eng., P.Geol., included a list of pros and cons for APEGGA membership voiced at two sessions held to solicit geoscientists’ opinions about the Association. Council also received a report by KPMG Consulting. Based on a random selection of some 100 organizations employing geoscientists, the findings encompass 40 organizations replying by the deadline. Sample findings show 59 per cent of geoscientists with degrees are APEGGA members. The participation rate is almost identical for geologists and geophysicists. APEGGA membership is highest (66 per cent) medium-sized operations (10 to 30 geoscientists on staff) and lowest (54 per cent) by those employing over 30. Findings point to 51 per cent of the 683 geoscientists covered in the sample being 40-to-50 years of age. Twelve per cent are over 50, 11 per cent below 30, and 27 per cent 30-39 years old.

Workplace Issues

Council has approved Task Force on Workplace Issues recommendations relating to discrimination and harassment, equal opportunity and a supportive working environment in APEGGA’s internal operations. The recommendations apply to APEGGA staff and volunteers.

Departing Councillors

Departing Council members Mark Lasby, P.Eng., Alice Payne, P.Geol., John Boyd, P.Geoph., and Connie Parenteau, P.Eng., (2 Vice President) were thanked and recognized for their efforts. Fred Otto, P.Eng., PhD, who has served as Past President and will continue as Alberta CCPE Director, also was thanked.

Memorial Update

Council received an update on Memorial University of Newfoundland in connection with its "software engineering" case. (See April PEGG, page 5 and page 17 this issue for more background). Last month, a Newfoundland judge ruled that the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland cannot recommend that MUN’s engineering program not be reviewed by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. Legal action will be pursued against MUN under trademark legislation for its use of "engineering" in connecting the program delivered through the Computing Science (not the Engineering) Faculty.

Action also will be taken through ministers of education and advanced education.

Millennium Project

A task force chaired by the current President Darrel Danyluk, P.Eng., continues to review projects by which APEGGA can mark the new millennium.