Division of Structural Engineers to Join New Structural Engineers Association
APEGBC’s Division of Structural Engineers (DSE) has opted to amalgamate with the Structural Engineers Association of BC (SEABC). In October, DSE members voiced support of dissolving the Division in favour of joining SEABC, voting 88% in favour of the move.
The concept of amalgamating the operations of all the existing associations that represent the interests of structural engineers in BC was first broached at a combined meeting of members of the DSE, the Vancouver Structural Engineers Group Society (VSEGS) and the Structural Engineering Consultants of BC (SECBC) in 2005 with virtually unanimous support. Since that time, an organizing committee has worked on the mechanics of putting together a single organization to be known as the Structural Engineers Association of BC. This work included the publishing of a newsletter and the holding of information meetings describing the rationale for and format of the merger.
APEGBC Council, at its meeting held on October 27, formally approved the dissolution of the APEGBC Division of Structural Engineers as of December 31, 2007.
All three merging organizations share a common purpose in assisting structural engineers to become more proficient in their practice. One major advantage of a single association is to achieve efficiency and eliminate duplication of services, whether in providing education, practice guidelines or channels of communication between engineers. Secondly, a single association will be able to provide a strong voice as an advocate for, and representative of structural engineers in the province. However, all matters of licensing and discipline will remain the sole prerogative of APEGBC.
Communication with its members will be one of SEABC’s major concerns. The resources of the three merging associations will support increased communication by means of meetings, newsletters, an interactive website and the fostering of groups of common interest, such as sole practitioners or employee engineers.