December 2009
In this issue:
This is the last of four newsletters of 2009. The wish for 2010 is to increase the newsletter to six with bi-monthly newsletters.
Just a reminder to AQSA members, new and old, the AQSA office is a virtual office from a service agency with less than 8 hours a week to carry out all functions (including typing, editing, laying out and distributing this newsletter). These services, the AQSA board meeting expenses (including yearly in-person meetings), subsided events (such as the November Alberta Infrastructure event) are operated with less than 50% of the AQSA membership dues; the balance goes to the operation of CIQS. It has been the policy of AQSA to maintain a low level of dues. Members who feel that they require higher level of services and possibility expansion should talk to the members of the Board of Directors and attend the Annual General Meeting.
Presidents Report
Seasons Greetings.
On behalf of the AQSA I attended the CIQS Council Meetings in Toronto Dec 3 to the 6. Over the weekend the CIQS Board spent around 15 hours in meetings. One of the issues that came out of the meetings is that some of the CIQS members are not completing the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Form. CPD Points is mandatory to keep your membership current for PQS and CEC designation. The CPD form and the description of how to achieve these points is available on the CIQS website. Failure to complete and submit the CPD form will result in a warning and then the request to return your CIQS diploma. Other items were discussed was how to better market our profession to other markets and industry sectors. The Regulations and addition improvements to the education syllabus were also discussed.
The AQSA Board has been active over the fall. We have meetings monthly via a teleconference call to keep current on issues and concerns that affect the industry and to discuss concerns that the membership brings forward.
The AQSA through the Edmonton and Calgary Chapters hosted a breakfast meeting in Edmonton and a dinner meeting in Calgary. The speakers were Brian Soutar PQS, Ken King PQS, and Gordon Dodd, from Alberta Infrastructure. Those who attended were asked to complete an online survey so we could get some feedback as to what you liked, disliked give you an opportunity to offer suggestions for future meeting topics. If you attended, make sure you remember to complete the survey.
The Edmonton and Calgary Chapters are planning another event in January. At this time the proposed topic is BIM. The invitations to this event will be sent out to the membership as soon as the venue and speaker can be confirmed.
Remember that attendance represents 2 CPD Points. The Winnipeg Chapter is also planning a meeting in January. The AQSA board wants to provide all of its members the opportunity to reach the required points. Attendance of AQSA meetings and events will count towards your required CPD hours. To make it easier for our members, we plan to offer events in conjunction with other related groups. It really is not too difficult to get the required points.
Our next AGM will be in April or May of 2010. There are many opportunities to become involved in the association by sitting on Committees or on the Board. If you are interested or have some concerns or questions, please let me or any of the current board members know. The current AQSA Board is made up of the following members:
Chris Reinert, PQS – President
Dave Burns, PQS – Vice President
Doug Eastwell, PQS (F) – Registrar
Norm Lux, PQS (F), Past President
If any of you have been to our web site at www.AQSA.ca you will notice that it is dated. We have been working to improve the website and are planning to launch in the New Year. We have a limited budget for the website improvements but from what I have seen so far, the new site is a vast improvement over what we have. Currently we have not been charging member firms to be listed on our website. After much discussion, we have decided to charge a small fee to be listed in the member firms section of the website. The website has an area where you can advertise job postings. We have had member and non member firms place adds here. The fees for this advertising will be very reasonable and will help offset the costs of maintaining and updating the website.
Did you know? - The AQSA not only encompasses members in Alberta. We also have members in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the North West territories. And as such there have been some discussions among members and the board that we should rebrand the AQSA name to incorporate these additional areas. We are looking into this and hope to have some ideas to put forward shortly.
For your information, Roger Ward, a current Board member and Past President of the AQSA, slipped while shoveling snow and broke his hip. We all wish Roger a speedy and complete recovery.
I hope that you all have a Safe and Merry Christmas.
Regards
Chris Reinert, PQS
AQSA President
This group of AQSA members have been maintaining a low profile for a number of years. This has made it difficult to plan activities for them. The most practical way is to organize seminars/workshops that are open to the construction industry or at least employees and other staff. Please provide ideas to the Board of Directors. Please appreciate that there is a six to nine month lead time required to stage an event.
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David Lockyer has been appointed the Contracts Controller AMEC who has a billion dollar plant in Rocanville, Saskatchewan for Potash Corp.
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Norm Dei is a projects cost manager with NWT Public Works Department. Norm and myself try to meet for lunch in Yellowknife periodically.
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Orest Stachniack is involved with the redevelopment of the Federal Building in Edmonton
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Flint Engineering Ltd. of Sherwood Park now have a number of AQSA members working in their various offices
Membership
Receipts
Due to a technical issue with the online database the receipts that were
scheduled to generate from the online payment system did not get
emailed. Currently about 50% of the receipts and membership cards have
been sent to members and Tanya is continuing to work to send proper receipts
and membership cards out to
all paid members. AQSA has been assured by CIQS that this issue has
been resolved for the upcoming 2010-2011 membership year. Please remember to update your
profile at online.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS and BEST WISHES for 2010!
News items are welcome from members, especially those outside the major urban centers. To submit an idea or article contact info@aqsa.ca.