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BY RON TENOVE, P.ENG.
APEGGA President
Typically, the APEGGA president uses the final President's
Notebook of the term, in April, to address member involvement
in our association. Two events encourage me to speak on this
topic now.
Firstly, it's the time of year when the nominating committee
develops a list of potential candidates for election to APEGGA
Council (see opposite page). It is reassuring to note that
there are many talented professionals who would be exceptional
participants, including a number of younger people. Although
historically it's been difficult for people early in their
career to take on Council responsibilities, due to the demands
of family and work, we hope to see a few new faces this year.
The demanding pace of the Alberta economy leaves precious
little time for many of us to participate in community and
professional association activities. Yet there are more members
of APEGGA involved in our volunteer programs than ever.
My hat is off to the 500-plus individuals who go the extra
distance to ensure our profession is relevant by assisting
on APEGGA committees, with Outreach programs, with branch
and district work, and with a host of other activities.
Secondly, the president's tour to APEGGA branches and districts
begins shortly. These visits provide a forum to explore what
APEGGA is doing to achieve the strategic legislative and member
services initiatives encompassed in our business plan. From
my visits and discussions with sister associations across
Canada, much is going on to enhance registration capacity,
as well as to live up to our legislated responsibility to
maintain standards that ensure the protection of public safety
and welfare.
I also want to acknowledge those corporations and organizations
that employ APEGGA members and are encouraging young (ages
25 to 40) professionals to be involved in APEGGA and community
affairs. In an earlier column, I referenced Dr. Wallace Read,
P.Eng., recipient of the 2002 CCPE Gold Medal award. In his
acceptance address, Dr. Read stated: "Our commitment
to and investment in a corporation's engineers {and geoscientists}
represents unparalleled value for a company {or organization}
and its own future. It is an opportunity not to be missed."
Dr. Read believes "we need to empower and equip engineers
{and geoscientists} to be able to effectively respond to our
vow to protect public safety and welfare." He outlined
how this can be achieved.
- gain a greater appreciation of world markets
- increase awareness of other segments in the professional
community
- improve your business acumen and marketing skills
- improve written and oral communication skills
- develop team leadership attributes.
I asked my employer, John Holmlund, A.L.S., CEO of The Focus
Corporation Ltd. and president of the Canadian Institute of
Geomatics, for his observations. "Young people are the
lifeblood of our professional associations. Too often employers
take young professionals for granted and tend to overlook
their value in participating in association (and business)
affairs. As senior professionals and employers we are obligated
to support them in their development both in their professional
and personal life. The result of such initiative is a true
win-win.
"The association will benefit from their unique insight
and youthful enthusiasm and as employers we will have young
people who truly understand the meaning of the word professional."
Volunteer involvement is a catalyst for each of us to visualize
the bigger picture: "to recognize that success, in this
new competitive business environment, makes it imperative
to take charge of one's own destiny." Important steps
to take include:
- develop a formal plan for continuing education
- access the APEGGA Continuing Professional Development
Program or other education vehicles to broaden your horizons
- keep close to the leading edge in your chosen field of
engineering or geosciences
- keep abreast of the bigger pictures in economies, governments
and industry
- network with other professionals in business and professional
associations (perhaps as an APEGGA volunteer)
- ask your employer for participation in mentoring and
client relationship activities
- use every opportunity to meet with your peers and community
leaders
Congratulations to those who have stretched their available
time into volunteer activity. You lead the way in demonstrating
how APEGGA professionals remain relevant as a vital part of
our societal and work communities. To any of you who feel
so inclined, we look forward to your involvement in the multi-dimensional
values of APEGGA membership. See you at the branch and district
meetings.
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