In this issue:
Board member profile: Ken King
New
AQSA board member and newsletter editor Ken King, AScT, PQS, MRICS,
believes in building bridges between our profession and the clients we
serve, and sees AQSA as an effective means of achieving that
objective. 
A member of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS) since 1987, Ken recently became a member of AQSA - and joined the Board at the May Annual General Meeting. His day job as Assistant Director, Cost Management Services, Program Management Branch, Capital Projects Division for Alberta Infrastructure gives Ken a broad perspective on quantity surveying.
"I'm a huge supporter of our profession. Quantity surveying expertise allows us to offer a more diverse range of services to our clients. Because of that, we've become incredibly more valuable."
Ken adds it's hard for some clients to understand the depth of value we offer to an increasingly wide spectrum of projects. The obvious projects are construction related, but he points out that others such as real estate and business derive equal value from QS services.
"Quantity surveying is generally not well understood, particularly when it makes forays into the socio-economic outcomes of a project. Governments need to touch on these issues - and a QS can add significant value to the whole process."
The evaluation of project scope determinations are included in Ken's list of impressive initiatives that have been incorporated by the association. "The evolution of these evaluations has moved the bar beyond costing to include cost-benefit analysis and its impact. We (the Government of Alberta) do a wide range of impact reviews that prompt questions such as, 'If we don't do this or that, what economic and social impacts will result? Will our decision impact our policies? Will it result in the right mix of options in the district?'"
Ken is enthusiastic about the role of QS expertise at the table during these discussions. "The incremental development in policy has been very valuable. The enhanced role for cost benefit analysis has spilled over into the private sector as well."
So why did Ken volunteer his valuable time to serve on the AQSA board?
"I'm making an investment in our profession. The only way we can continue to improve the quality of service to the industry is through active members who are involved in leading-edge areas of the industry. Government is a serious contributor to improving the overall real estate construction elements of the industry. It's crucial that there be two-way involvement between AQSA and industry, including government."
Ken's professional experience has given him a range of perspectives. He's spent about half his career in the public sector and the other half working for private-sector firms or in private practice.
He volunteered as AQSA newsletter editor because of his personal interest in communication. "I've belonged to various associations, I was leader of the B.C. Conservative Party for a year and I've also done a fair amount of teaching - at UBC and Langara College in Vancouver, for CMHC, BDC and other agencies - and have been involved with training and writing curricula and course development materials for other training modules. I like the writing process and feel I can contribute to the association in this position."
Born in Saskatoon and raised in B.C., Ken has four grown children, all living in B.C. His pet passion is canoeing - when he can find time.
BIM - opportunities and implications
Proponents
of Building Information Modelling (BIM) are increasingly 
singing
the praises of this emerging 21st century technology. As AQSA Annual
General Meeting keynote speaker Ganesh Bala said, BIM can save time,
improve efficiencies and enhance record keeping. He should know. Ganesh is
a member of the BIM Council of Canada and BIM Manager at the Calgary Cohos
Evamy office.
July
23-27
14th PAQS Congress Singapore
Sept.
2
AQSA golf tournament River Ridge Golf Course, Edmonton
Sept.
16-19
Canadian Homebuilders Association - Alberta Conference
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Sept.
17-19
CIQS Council Halifax
Oct.
15
RICS Awards 2010 - The Grand Final (20th anniversary) London,
UK
Nov.
3 & 4
Buildex Calgary Calgary Alberta
Nov.
18-20
Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association - AGM Banff
Nov.
29, 30 and Dec. 1
Alberta Infrastructure Partners Conference River Cree Resort,
Edmonton
March
6-11, 2011
Canadian Construction Association - annual conference Hawaii
Do you have other events you'd like to see listed? E-mail us the details.
At the same time, advances in BIM underline the need for our profession to adapt its practices to maintain the value-added service we offer our clients.
"Sooner or later, AQSA members have to jump on the bandwagon. Members will have to be BIM capable within their subject speciality," said Ganesh.
Currently, BIM has a host of advantages to offer everyone involved in construction projects - reducing financial uncertainty for owners and developers, minimizing time delays and change orders for architects, engineers and contractors, and bringing building product manufacturers closer to qualified projects in their early phrases.
Alberta Infrastructure, for one, has used BIM and is a huge supporter of its advantages.
In brief, the entire scope of a project - from design, scheduling and costing to contracts, purchase orders, change requests, as-builts and completion - is all reliably and digitally coordinated.
"Computers and technology help us get to 75% or 80% of the project. We still need the human interaction and expertise for the final 20% to 25%. That's the component that adds excellence. Human beings control the system and understand the design," Ganesh added.
The technology is introducing new applications already, moving its capabilities to new levels - into areas near and dear to the work of AQSA members such as the creation of quantity take-offs and pricing schedules.
How, then, can AQSA members harness the benefits of BIM to enhance the services we've traditionally offered our clients? There isn't a quick answer to that question - but thoughtful consideration of the possibilities BIM offers will result in a responsive evolution of the services we offer.
Advice from Ganesh Bala: "We need to take it slowly, but we don't need to avoid it. Let's work at it together as a group to move the possibilities to the next level."
Applying for membership - be patient!
You've taken a major professional step forward: you've decided to apply for membership in AQSA. Congratulations!
You submit the required paperwork and wait for word of your new professional status. And you wait. And wait.
If this sounds familiar, and jokes about Christmas coming sooner than word of your membership are starting to wear thin, the following schematic will help you see why membership registration takes time.
Please note: the applicant plays a direct and important role in ensuring his or her membership application is processed as quickly as possible. Submitting the required documentation and paying the membership invoice promptly helps expedite the membership process.
Qualified Membership (Professional Quantity Surveyor or Construction Estimator Certified) in AQSA is achieved by following an educational program as prescribed in the Education Syllabus of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS).
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The membership applicant submits an online membership application form to CIQS with the $200 application fee, which applies to the first year's dues.
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AQSA e-mails the applicant to acknowledge receipt of the online application and requests appropriate documentation. This includes:
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Current resumé including relevant work history (list of employers, positions held, duties and responsibilities, length of employment, etc.)
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Curriculum vitae
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Copies of diplomas or certificates and transcripts of post-secondary courses
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Copies of professional association memberships and affiliations (e.g. APEGGA, ASET, AACE, RICS, etc.)
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Academic Equivalence Reports from third party assessment agencies, if applicable
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Once AQSA receives all these documents, they are forwarded to the AQSA registrar.
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The registrar begins a thorough and objective assessment of the applicant's qualifications and work experience. The registrar may choose to convene an evaluation committee to assist with the evaluation. This is a very comprehensive process, requiring the registrar or the evaluation committee to compare each point of the application with the corresponding portion of the CIQS syllabus, awarding credits as applicable for both educational and work experience. This process also assesses outstanding requirements in both education and work experience required to achieve full PQS or CEC standing.
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The registrar concludes the evaluation and makes a recommendation to the AQSA Board.
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The AQSA Board accepts or modifies the recommendations at its next meeting. (Board meetings are currently scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month, except during summer.)
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AQSA sends a letter to applicant advising him or her of the decision of the Board. If the applicant has been accepted as an AQSA member, the letter will include an invoice for the first year's dues, less the $200 application fee.
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The applicant pays the invoice.
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Only after the invoice is paid can AQSA activate the membership and its benefits, which are in effect until March 31 of the following year.
Check out the AQSA website for other news and updates.
Chris
Reinert, PQS President
Norman Lux, PQS (F) Past President
Dave Burns, PQS
Vice-President
Doug Eastwell PQS (F) Registrar
Michael Bernier, PQS
Education
Omar Jutt, PQS Marketing Director
Doug Moller, PQS Treasurer
Roger Ward, PQS
Chris Holden, PQS
Calgary
Chapter Dave Burns, PQS Chair
Edmonton
Chapter Wayne Quanson, PQS Chair
Winnipeg
Chapter, vacant, Chair
AQSA
golf tourney - Thursday, Sept. 2
The phoenix has risen and the 2010 AQSA golf committee has found new life.
All AQSA swingers - and guests - should circle the afternoon of Sept. 2 for some great golf and good times at the River Ridge Golf Club on Windermere Blvd. in west Edmonton.
Word on the street - mostly from committee members Norm Lux, Wayne Quanson, John Overall, Grey Payoe and Orest Stachniuk - says the course is well maintained, offering some interesting holes. Slices and hooks will bring golfers up close and personal with the course's abundant water features - so be prepared!
The committee is looking to top last year's participation with at least 24 golfers - so contact John Overall to let him know you're interested. (The formal registration form - and fee - will be available soon but get in touch with John now at 780-499-6594 or via e-mail.) The day will begin around noon with a smackin' good barbecue to follow.
And what's a golf tournament without sponsorships - small can be beautiful - and prizes? Get in touch with Norm Lux at 780-801-0007 or via e-mail if you can support the event with a sponsorship or can donate a prize.
What's
new from CIQS?
Update from Chris Reinert, AQSA President
The
CIQS Council meeting held in June at Whistler in conjunction with the CIQS
AGM moved a number of initiatives forward, strengthening the mandate of
the Council and clarifying several initiatives.
Emerging Council priorities are focusing on marketing and promotions, international relations and education.
At the meeting, CIQS passed its national budget - including a fees increase that takes effect next year. Part of the fees increase will be allocated to marketing and promotions initiatives to increase the CIQS profile nationally and internationally.
The next CIQS Council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17-19 in Halifax. E-mail me if you have any updates, issues or initiatives you would like me to forward.
Alberta Infrastructure has a lot going on . . . and AQSA representation at Red River College strengthened some important links with soon-to-be new professionals.
Alberta Infrastructure - full steam ahead
Expanded health infrastructure role. Stay tuned for more news soon from Alberta Infrastructure (AI) on new opportunities being added to its portfolio. AI is significantly expanding its cost management role in health service infrastructure, bringing a range of projects under its wing from other departments. The department is currently holding internal competitions for executive directors to manage the new health and other supported infrastructure projects. Expect follow-up announcements after these positions are filled.
AI Partners Conference - mark your calendars. AI is well on the road to organizing the must-attend Alberta Infrastructure Partners Conference on Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1 at the River Cree Resort just west of Edmonton. More details will be distributed soon - so hold the dates.
Raising the bar for AI skill sets. Currently in its conceptual stages, AI is working on developing a centralized internal training system designed to expand and improve the knowledge base throughout the department. This initiative will encompass a comprehensive range of skills including quantity surveying and will involve various post secondary institutions throughout the stages of development and implementation. The vision of the initiative is to allow the department to become a "university of infrastructure" with its courses available to interested professionals outside the department who want to augment their other professional development initiatives.
Promoting the profession at Red River College
A responsive organization sees
opportunity and responds. That
was the case in February 2010 when AQSA President Chris Reinert 
and
Past President Norm Lux teamed up with representatives from the Chartered
Institute of Building (CIOB) to host a career day lunch for students
interested in enrolling in the College's new Construction Management
degree program.
AQSA member Roger Ward spurred the initiative, which proved very useful in giving students still contemplating their choice of careers a taste of quantity surveying and its value to the construction industry.
"Quantity surveying - what it is and its value to industry - is not well known in Canada. Talking to students interested in our profession or in professions that work with quantity surveyors offers a golden opportunity to put our profession in a context they can take forward throughout their training," said Chris. "Students who have this information and context from the onset will more readily incorporate the QS member onto their teams in future."
The four-year degree program expects its first intake of students this September.
For more information on the Association of Quantity Surveyors of Alberta
visit www.aqsa.ca
Do you have a short submission you would like included?
Have you
discovered websites you would like to share with our members?
E-mail Wendy
Campbell, Cost Connections editor.