Further to the last report in the July/August issue of The Professional Edge, APEGS has made significant progress with the consultant developing a consistent approach for council to determine whether to implement each of the 33 recommendations.
The approach lays out a plan to examine the feasibility of each recommendation and provides the information council needs to approve, revise or decline a recommendation.
At the September 17 council meeting, council approved the approach and two of the recommendations chosen to pilot the approach, which are to make the complaint process more transparent by making content more evident on the website and to sunset the Legislative Liaison Committee, transferring responsibilities to staff.
APEGS staff will be busy preparing additional feasibility plans by the end of 2020 for review by the Steering Group and approval by council. In the meantime, committees will continue with regular operations. For any large and longer-term initiatives in 2020, committees will consult with their respective board chair and liaison councillor for direction specific to those initiatives.
Purpose
Examine the recommendations and approve those that will help APEGS improve governance practices and increase focus on APEGS’ regulatory objects to:
- Create a modernized structure aligned with regulatoryresponsibilities.
- Increase role clarity.
- Enhance APEGS’ ability to plan and prioritize volunteer and staff activities.
Rationale
Growth in membership.
A committee structure carried forward from the late 1980s.
Changes in APEGS’ regulatory environment, including removal of the licence for permission to consult, introduction of a required continuing professional development program and introduction of competency-based experience reporting.
Provincial governments around the country are making or considering significant changes to the legislation for self-regulated professions.
Background
May/June 2019 issue of The Professional Edge – APEGS announced the governance review.
Sept/Oct 2019 issue – Staff and volunteers provided the consultant with information and input regarding issues and potential improvements.
May/June 2020 issue – The consultant completed the review and submitted all final recommendations to council.
July/August 2020 issue – Council passed a motion to examine all 33 recommendations, which focus on making changes in practices regarding council size and composition, risk management, public transparency, management of sponsorships, organizational structure, among others.
Next Steps
APEGS will implement the plans for two of the recommendations: to make the complaint process more transparent and to sunset the Legislative Liaison Committee, transferring responsibilities to staff.
APEGS staff will prepare additional feasibility plans by the end of 2020 for review by the steering group and approval by council.
Steering Group
Stormy Holmes, P.Eng., Past President (2019-2020)
Kristen Darr, P.Geo., President-Elect
John Desjarlais, P.Eng., Vice President
Nicholas Kaminski, P.Eng., Council Member
Peter Jackson, P.Eng., Past President (2012-2013)
Bob McDonald, P.Eng., Executive Director and Registrar (Advisor)
Shawna Argue, P.Eng., Director of Registration (Advisor)
Project Director
Tina Maki, P.Eng., Director of Special Projects
Consultants
T. Bakkeli Consultants Inc. and Lana Gray Leadership Services
Questions?
Please relay questions to the steering group through Tina Maki.