INNOVATION July-August 2021

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JUNE 25, 2021 Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Council of elected registrants and government representatives meets throughout the year to conduct the business of organizational governance. The following are the highlights of its June 25, 2021 meeting. BYLAW AMENDMENTS Council approved a series of amendments to Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Bylaws following the implementation of the Professional Governance Act (PGA) and supporting Bylaws in February 2021. The amendments are limited in scope and include corrections to typographical errors, minor revisions to wording for clarity, and targeted amendments to address minor issues that have been identified since the Bylaws were passed—for example, an amendment that removes the requirement for non-practising registrants to provide their industry/area of practice and business contact information. Council also approved a Bylaw to enable it to grant a fee waiver in recognition of exemplary service to the organization by a registrant serving as Council president. The Bylaw is intended to be a temporary measure that will remain in place until a formal remuneration policy for Council is developed, which is intended to establish a long-term process for recognizing the significant time commitment associated with these roles, and the need to continue to attract qualified candidates to support the expanded regulatory role of the organization. Bylaw amendments are reviewed and approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance. Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s current Bylaws are available at egbc.ca/Act . 2021 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING RULES OF ORDER The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place virtually on October 30, 2021. Registrants can hear from Council and senior staff on the organization’s strategic progress, key initiatives and financial standing and bring forward motions for consideration. including requirements for how motions will be accepted for consideration at the AGM. Registrants can view the rules and register for the AGM at egbc.ca/agm . POLICY FOR APPOINTING COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT Council approved a policy that outlines the process it will follow to select a vice president. Beginning this Fall, Council Council approved the meeting rules, which include additional protocols to facilitate a virtual meeting,

will appoint one of its elected members to serve as vice president each year. This governance best practice is well-established in similar organizations and will enable Council to select a vice president who can best meet the needs of the Council in any given year, as well as supporting the transition plan for Council as it moves to a smaller size in line with requirements under the PGA. More information on this process and the Council election can be found at egbc.ca/Councilelection . TWO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES APPROVED Council approved two professional practice guidelines: one for structural engineering services for tall concrete building projects, and one for the seismic assessment and seismic design of dikes. The guidelines will be published following legal and editorial review. Guidelines and other professional practice resources can be accessed at egbc.ca/Guidelines . 3 o o o o

TRAINEES NOW ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN COUNCIL ELECTIONS, ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS Beginning in 2021, Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s more than 8,000 trainees (EITs and GITs) in good standing will now be eligible to vote in the Council election, and propose and vote on annual general meeting motions. The request to extend voting rights to trainees originated from a passed motion at

Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s Annual General Meeting in 2017. During a consultation process that followed, some trainees expressed they didn’t attend annual general meetings because they couldn’t vote (but said they would attend if voting rights were extended to them), and most registrants indicated that trainees ought to have more ability to participate in self-regulation. Some also expressed hope that including trainees in governance matters may boost the involvement of women and increase the retention of women in the industry.

In 2018, Council appointed a task force to examine this potential change, which at the time would have required modification of the now-repealed Engineers and Geoscientists Act . The task force recommended extending voting rights to trainees; Council agreed and, following consultation, included voting rights for trainees in the new Engineers and Geoscientists BC Bylaws that support the Professional Governance Act .

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