INNOVATION May-June 2016

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Science Fair Awards Encourage Future Professionals APEGBC promotes the professions within the community and helps to engage young people in science and engineering by supporting BC’s science fairs at several levels. We sponsor the Science Fair Foundation of BC, as well as individual awards at the

Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair and the Vancouver Island Science Fair. Many APEGBC branches, as well as the Division for the Advancement of Women in Engineering and Geoscience, also sponsor awards at regional science fairs, including those in the Fraser Valley, Central Interior, Northern BC, and East and West Kootenay regions. Dr. Hamid Ghanbari, P.Eng., Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair committee member and Janet Sinclair, APEGBC Chief Operating Officer, present student Ethan Fraser with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC Award (intermediate category) for his Robotic Hand project, at the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair. University of British Columbia, the University of Northern British Columbia, the University of Victoria, British Columbia Institute of Technology, or Simon Fraser University. The Entrance Transfer Scholarship, valued at $1,000, is available to students entering an engineering transfer program at any BC post-secondary institution. Applications for both awards are due June 24, 2016. Visit apeg.bc.ca/Foundation-2016-High-School for information.

Foundation Invests in the Next Generation The APEG Foundation supports BC’s engineering and geoscience students by providing scholarships and bursaries. Thanks to community-minded individuals who continue to generously contribute to the Foundation’s philanthropic efforts, student outreach expands each year. This year, the Foundation added new scholarships to honour two well-respected, outstanding and admired individuals. The inaugural Sheri Plewes Scholarship for Women in Engineering, valued at $2,000, was awarded to Jessica Van Brummelen and Elizabeth Wicks. The inaugural Frank Baumann Bursary, valued at $1,500, was awarded to Melanie Hackett. The Foundation selected the recipients from among a large pool of high-calibre candidates, and congratulates them on their well-earned awards. For more information about this year’s scholarship recipients, visit apeg.bc.ca/scholarship-recipients-Apr2016. For scholarship information, see apeg.bc.ca/For-Students/Scholarships. The APEG Foundation is also now accepting Entrance and Entrance Transfer scholarship applications for BC’s 2016 high school graduates. The Entrance Scholarship, valued at $2,500, is available to students entering engineering or geoscience programs at the

Fourth-year Simon Fraser University geoscience student Melanie Hackett received the first-ever Frank Baumann Bursary.

Best Practices for Volunteer Groups to Function Effectively Emiline Willson and Gillian Harper In APEGBC’s 2015 volunteer engagement survey, our volunteers shared their thoughts on best practices that help the association’s volunteer groups function effectively. Based on this feedback and on our experience with governing committees and other volunteer groups, as well as the expertise provided by external consultants, we summarise and share the following best practices.

Communicate Clear Expectations Communicate expectations and make sure everyone understands the volunteer group's Terms of Reference, guidelines, or policies. Make sure action items are clearly delegated, committee activities are well documented, and that processes are transparent. Follow proper meeting protocol and etiquette to ensure discussions are respectful and issue focused. Maintain Open Communication Maintaining open dialogue helps to improve a group’s effectiveness. Ensure members are heard, invited to share, and that their input is valued. Develop a feedback mechanism, and focus on the importance of listening and learning from each other. These activities support the goal of shared decision making. As APEGBC’s Volunteer Management Program develops, we will provide tools to our volunteers to support and maintain best practices.

Hold Regular Meetings It’s important to plan and prepare for regular meetings. Include conference calls as an option to increase attendance at meetings. Committee meetings tend to be most efficient when following Robert’s Rules of Order . The purpose of these rules is to facilitate progress, deal with complex issues, enable equal participation in decision making, and protect the rights of those involved. These practices help to ensure objectives are understood and reviewed, and that everyone is engaged.

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