APEGS members should not experience a fee increase in the foreseeable future thanks to a continuing operating surplus resulting in unrestricted retained earnings.
An approximate 15-year period of sustained growth in Saskatchewan’s engineering and geoscience community, coupled with an unforeseen global pandemic and a slight growth in membership are just a few contributing factors to a surplus for the 2020 fiscal year.
A deficit was budgeted for 2020, however, revenues and expenses were considerably lower than budgeted and health and safety guidelines implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a surplus.
These restrictions significantly reduced expenses incurred for travel within and out of province to annual and national meetings and conferences.
The most recent fees increase was approved at the 2010 annual meeting and implemented for the 2011 year. This year will mark the 10th consecutive year without an increase. It is anticipated that stretch will continue for several years to come.
In the past, APEGS Council established a philosophy of attempting to balance its revenues and expenditures over approximately five-year periods. Surpluses were forecast in the early years of those cycles, with deficits expected in the latter years. This philosophy was endorsed by members who responded to a questionnaire on the APEGS website.
This endorsement allows Council to plan its activities several years in advance. If revenues are higher or expenses lower, the next increase can be delayed further into the future, such as the case this year.
This approach has a proven track record for the past 30-plus years.
In 1992, the annual fee for professional members increased from $150 to $225. The Association ran a surplus for the period of 1992-95, followed by deficits the following two years. The inclusion of geoscientists in 1997 resulted in the Association running modest surpluses for the period 1998-2000, followed by deficits in 2001-02.
In 2003, the annual fee increased from $225 to $300 based on a five-year projection. Growth in APEGS membership, as well as sustained growth in the provincial economy allowed APEGS to continue beyond a five-year period before the 2011 increase.
APEGS forecast a series of deficits leading up to the 2010 annual meeting resulting from an increase in operating costs, the need for a new database, an increased assessment from Engineers Canada for a major advertising campaign and a loss of revenues from the licence for permission to consult resulting from a changing regulatory environment.
A continual increase in the number of applications and membership has permitted APEGS to avoid deficits for the past 10 years.
Operating under deficit budgets may jeopardize the ability of APEGS to fulfill its mandate and to plan long-term. In addition, APEGS provides support through sponsorships which, in turn, provides the Association with promotional and community support and its members with professional development opportunities.
APEGS supports activities at both provincial universities through funding for students to participate in competitions and conferences. APEGS also provides grant funding to libraries at both universities. This allows borrowing privileges to APEGS members and assists in improving proficiency and competency of our members thanks to access to rare materials.ommunity, the government and industry experts to support that initiative.