OACETT held an extremely successful Annual General Meeting and Conference in Grand Bend from May 28 – 30. This year’s event marked the beginning of President David Saunders, C.E.T., term in office and introduced a new slate of officers on Council. With over 150 members and special guests in attendance, President Saunders shared his vision for the next two years, laying the groundwork for the future of our association.
Among the attendees were OACETT’s strategic partners and representatives from our national association CCTT and sister associations from Alberta and British Columbia.
Guest speakers included Donna Messer of ConnectUs Canada , Mark Rector from Humber College, Gail Smyth of Skills Canada-Ontario, Steve Prentice of Bristall Morgan Inc., Dan Douglas from Fanshawe College and Lance Novak with the Canadian Standards Association.
President’s David Saunders’s remarks at the AGM
Past-President David Tsang’s farewell remarks as President at the President’s Dinner
Financial Report
Secretary-Treasurer and Chief Administrative Officer, Hillary Tedoldi reported that the association maintained financial stability and growth in 2008. She equates this stability to the association’s cautious approach to spending and investing last year.
“The year ended with a surplus of $191,000,” she reported. “In addition, total assets increased to $2.9 million dollars, a 10 per cent increase from December 2007.
The economic downturn of the stock market over the past year and a half resulted in a long-term investments loss of about 14 per cent in 2008. However, she said there has been some recovery since February of this year and the market value of the OACETT investment portfolio as of May 21, 2009 was $1,914,000.
Tedoldi noted that membership remained above 23,000 active members by the end of 2008 with 1,015 students and 999 regular members joining the association in 2008. Associate members are showing increased interest in becoming certified and new memberships with OACETT are on the rise.
For more information see the OACETT Annual Report
Executive Council move forward with OACETT’s strategic priorities
A panel of OACETT Executive Council members addressed the present and future of the association’s six strategic priorities. President David Saunders, C.E.T., emphasized the significant progress made and the collective effort needed to build on this success – the theme being cooperation, collaboration and communication. He said that with the support of OACETT’s 28 chapters, we are well on our way to driving these priorities forward.
More on Cooperation, Collaboration and Commitment
OACETT introduces Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Sam DiGiandomenico, Director of IETO and Registrar, held an informative session on Certification and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This new program, which will be launched soon, offers non-traditional applicants an additional method to assess and recognize their knowledge and capabilities.
More on Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Guest Speakers / Presentations
The AGM featured several dynamic guest speakers. Presenters touched on topics relating to engineering technology, partnerships with OACETT and networking.
Here are the presentations at a glance:
Donna Messer, President of ConnectUs Canada passionately spoke on the art of effective networking and its important role in building rapport and driving business.
Mark Rector an Electrical Engineering Technology professor with Humber College delivered a presentation about four of his students who successfully made contact with the International Space Station using a radio device they built.
Gail Smyth, Executive Director of Skills Canada-Ontario showed an engaging presentation on the Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC) and spoke on skilled trades and technologies as a viable career option for youth in Ontario.
Steve Prentice, President of Bristall Morgan Inc., encouraged us to start connecting with people using the emerging tools of social networking like Twitter and Facebook that enhance the marketability of people and companies.
The President’s Dinner guest speaker Dan Douglas, Chair, School of Building Technology at Fanshawe College spoke on the long-lasting relationship between OACETT and Fanshawe College and the importance of this mutual bond.
Lance Novak, Vice-President, Sales, Canadian Standards Association (CSA) shared a few facts about CSA, their significant accomplishments and addressed the growing connection between CSA and OACETT.
In appreciation of our volunteers
During the President’s Dinner, David Saunders, C.E.T., thanked Past-President David Tsang, A.Sc.T., for his leadership over the past two years. The outgoing president’s wife Ginette Tsang was also acknowledged for her continuous support.
Past-President David Tsang A.Sc.T., expressed gratitude to the Executive Council members and other dedicated volunteers not returning for the 2009 – 2011 term. He recognized them for their outstanding contributions to the engineering technology profession and the association. Council Executives and representatives leaving office include:
Gene Stodolak, C.E.T., from the Horseshoe region who served as Past-President for the past two years. He will remain active on the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologies (CCTT) board until this Fall.
Diane O’Heron, C.Tech. from the Eastern region who served as Vice-President of the Professional Affairs and Services Board for a two-year term.
John Bierling, C.E.T., from the Western region who served as PASB Councillor for four years.
Dr. Ravi Gupta, P.Eng, who operated as the PEO representative on Council.
George Fletcher, C.E.T. who served as Guest of Council for 15 years.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
The Personal
Silver Sponsors
Colleges Ontario
Mohawk
Bronze Sponsors
Aird & Berlis LLP
Canadian Standards Association
Encon
Fanshawe College
Ontario Concrete Pipe Association
Lunch Sponsor
AON
Coffee Break Sponsor
CLB Media Inc.
Hospitality Suite Sponsor
Industrial Drive Service Inc.
OACETT Supporters
Minasu
Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
TrojanUV
Thanks to the London Chapter
Thank you to the London Chapter members who contributed their time, energy and hospitality to the association during the recent Annual General Meeting.
Click here for the 2009 AGM Photo Gallery
2009 AGM Survey Results |
