INNOVATION July-August 2017

JULY/AUGUST 2017

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 4

v iewpoint

In an organization with some 33,000+ members it is only natural that there might be different perceptions and expectations out there about the association and the professions it represents. We have a name, a logo, shared beliefs and shared values about how we should conduct ourselves, but this is complicated by an array of perspectives and priorities—how the organization sees itself, its role as a regulator and its expectations of members; how members see themselves as professionals, what they expect of their colleagues and their association. Most importantly, as an organization and professions that are charged with serving the public interest, how the public perceives us and the work we do is deeply relevant to us. We have often considered ourselves the silent professions, steadily and quietly toiling for the betterment of society, happy to let our work speak for us. However, we’re on shifting sands—what we need to be as a regulator and who we are as professionals has changed over time. We are not who we once were. Engineers and geoscientists aren’t just the technical experts we used to define ourselves as. Our work today requires leadership, multi-disciplinary approaches, teamwork, project management, and communications skills. And, as an organization, we are facing the challenges of regulating in the modern world—offshoring, cross-discipline practice, and regulatory grey areas. We are multi-faceted professions, as diverse as the professionals who represent them. We have a larger story to tell, and this is critical, otherwise we are defined by others’ interpretation. Often, what people see of us is informed solely by popular media, usually in the wake of disaster—Elliot Lake, Mt. Polley, the De la Concorde overpass. The reality is that this has an impact on public confidence in our professions, and in our ability as a regulator to keep the public safe, with resulting consequences: the public expects more accountability from professionals, and government wants to see regulators proactively carrying out their roles. To that end, it has become increasingly important to have a strategic approach to shaping public perception of our role as a regulator, and as professions. For us to actively tell our story. And, as the renewed brand launches in the next few weeks, you’ll see this unfold. More than just a logo and a name, you’ll see calculated and consistent internal and external messaging and representation of BC engineers and geoscientists in the public eye, shaped by the responses of members. And, just what are we saying? What’s our story? We have a proud tradition, but we have our eye on the future. We are an organization and professions that are inclusive of people of all backgrounds and genders. We are defined by our ethics, our drive for progress and our commitment to the safety and well-being of British Columbians. We are an organization of professionals who use their skills, knowledge and experience to keep the public safe. As engineers and geoscientists, we feel strongly about the work we do, and we have often seen modesty as a virtue. However, when it comes to building greater public understanding and confidence in our professions, the ethical and professional standards to which we hold ourselves, and the value we contribute to the province, perhaps there’s a greater good to be had in tooting your own horn.

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC Suite 200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby, BC Canada V5C 6N2 Tel: 604.430.8035 Fax: 604.430.8085 Email: apeginfo@apeg.bc.ca Internet: apeg.bc.ca Toll free: 1.888.430.8035 APEGBC COUNCIL 2016/2017 P resident B ob S tewart , P.E ng . V ice -P resident D r . E d C asas , P.E ng . I mmediate P ast P resident D r . M ichael W rinch , P.E ng ., FEC, FGC (H on .) COUNCILLORS C.J.A. Andrewes, P.Eng.; S. Cheema, CA, CPA R. Farbridge, P.Eng.; C. Hall, P.Eng./P.Geo. S. Hayes, P.Eng.; K. Laloge, CPA, CA, TEP; S. Martin, P.Eng. C. Moser, P.Eng.; R.B. Nanson, P.Eng. S.R. Rettie, P.Eng., FEC; L. Spence, P.Eng. K. Tarnai-Lokhorst, P.Eng., FEC; J. Turner, P.Ag. (ret); D. Wells, JD ASSOCIATION STAFF A.J. English, P.Eng. C hief E xecutive O fficer and R egistrar T.M.Y. Chong, P.Eng. C hief R egulatory O fficer and D eputy R egistrar J.Y. Sinclair C hief O perating O fficer M.L. Archibald D irector , C ommunications and S takeholder E ngagement J. Cho, CGA D irector , F inance and A dministration D. Gamble D irector , I nformation S ystems P.R. Mitchell, P.Eng. D irector , P rofessional P ractice , S tandards and D evelopment D. Olychick D irector , M ember S ervices G.M. Pichler, P.Eng. D irector , R egistration

Reflections on Changing Perceptions of the Professions

Bob Stewart, P.Eng. President

E. Swartz, LLB D irector , L egislation , E thics and C ompliance V. Lai, CGA A ssociate D irector , F inance and A dministration M.A. Rigolo P.Eng., A ssociate D irector , E ngineering A dmissions L. S teele , P.G eo ., A ssociate D irector , P rofessional P ractice

APEGBC EDITORIAL BOARD J. Bracho, P.Eng.; E.A. Brown, P.Eng.; K.C. Chan, P.Eng., CPA; S. Chiu, P.Eng.; T. George, P.Eng.; H. Ghalibafian, P.Eng. G. Grill, P.Eng.; R. Ord, P.Eng.; A.M. Westin, GIT; M.J. Zieleman, EIT

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Innovation is published six times a year by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. As the official publication of the association, Innovation is circulated to members of the engineering and geoscience professions, architects, contractors and industry executives. The views expressed in any article contained herein do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Council or membership of this association. Submission Guidelines: Innovation encourages unsolicited articles and photos. By submitting material to Innovation , you grant APEGBC a royalty-free, worldwide licence to publish the material; and you warrant that you have the authority to grant such rights and have obtained waivers of all associated moral rights. Innovation reserves the right to edit material for length, clarity and conformity with our editorial guidelines (apeg.bc.ca/innovation-editorial) and is under no obligation to publish any or all submissions or any portion thereof, including credits. All material is copyright. Please contact the Managing Editor for reprint permission.

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