Message from the President

Welcome to my Personal Zoom Room

By Shauna Goertzen, BCLS President

August Link articles penned by the President typically detail their adventures traveling across Canada - the sites seen, the people met, the friendships made. My tales do not consist of missed flights, lost luggage, or jetlag, rather phone headset malfunctions, “Shauna, you’re muted” and loosing Wi-Fi part way through a meeting.

To date, I have participated in four virtual AGMs and two virtual President’s Forums. We have proven over the past 17+ weeks that we can participate virtually with our counterparts across the country in a very efficient but somewhat sanitized manner. There is a small bit of the personal touch that gets missed when using Zoom or GoToMeeting. There is no small talk over lunch or letting down your hair over a post meeting beverage. The common topics discussed to date have been the impacts of Covid-19 on operations of regulators and if and when to cancel a physical AGM. So far, we have had no Zoom “meeting bombers” or uninvited guests, however, there have been occasional technological challenges.

A number of suit retailers have filed for bankruptcy during Covid-19. It can be assumed that full suits are not in as much demand as they once were. Perhaps these retailers should start to focus on upper wear only. When on Zoom meetings the $64,000 Question is whether attendees are wearing shorts or pajama bottoms….

The search for a new Secretary resulted in several qualified candidates throwing their hats into the ring. The search concluded with Lesley Sick, ALS, P. Eng being appointed as Deputy Secretary of the ABCLS. Lesley joined the ABCLS on July 6 and will work closely with Kelly Stofer over the next few months to transfer the knowledge and responsibilities for her new role. I wish Lesley a warm welcome and look forward to working with her.

The Strategic Planning session began with an online membership survey conducted between April 12 and May 8. The process continued with two virtual discussions held on June 11 and 19 consisting of Committee Chairs, ABCLS staff, and the Board of Management facilitated by McLaughlin & Associates Consulting. The focus was how the ABCLS should move forward with respect to the Professional Governance Act. The strategic plan is being developed for further review by the Board and membership.

The Board of Examiners conducted the Professional Assessment Interviews virtually at the beginning of June, resulting in three successful candidates. I would like to extend sincere congratulations to the three newly commissioned land surveyors.

As the province enters Phase 3 of relaxing restrictions it is unknown just when we will begin to meet again. Some of the smaller regional groups may choose to hold a Fall meeting while the larger ones may still be prohibited by Provincial gathering size limits. Planning continues for the physical AGM in Harrison Hot Springs in March 2021. The Board will review Provincial restrictions and AGM plans in September to reach a decision on whether to hold a physical, virtual or hybrid AGM.

I have come to realize how much in my daily life I haven taken for granted preCovid – popping into a store to make a purchase, eating out at restaurants, getting a “fancy” coffee. Covid-19 has made me be more deliberate in planning my outings, be more conscientious of my communication with colleagues, friends, and family, and be more mindful of the things I have to be grateful for. I hope you remain well and hope to see you in the near future. Until we can physically see each other again, to quote Dr. Bonny Henry “Be kind, be calm and be safe”. ✥