Welcome to another year in the life of the CPGCE. We are looking forward
to an excellent year of activities for the Group. We have eight technical
presentations scheduled. This includes a visit from Brian Crossley, Vice
President (International Affairs) from the Institution of Civil Engineers,
who is scheduled to visit us in May.(where are all the other Institution
visitors?). We also have a full social programme with 11 events planned
throughout the year including a Y2K masquerade party on New Year's Eve.
All these events are scheduled for Calgary. Unfortunately we are still unable
to stimulate any of the other centres in our Region to participate and develop
activities of their own. We are here to help but it does require some energy
from the centre itself to make anything happen. Anyone who has a suggestion
or wishes to help is invited to contact any of the new Executive.
Most of the 1998 Executive, who did such good work last year, have agreed
(and were elected) to stay on to serve the 1999 Executive. Vincent Liu and
Robert Svoboda, unfortunately, both felt unable to dedicate the necessary
time required and did not put themselves forward. We understand their situation
and sincerely thank them for the work they have done for the Group over
the past several years.
We welcome two newcomers to the Executive. John Sharpe (Mechanical) is no
stranger to Group activities and we now look forward to his active participation
in the Group's planning and organising. David Walker (Electrical and Mechanical)
is relatively new to Calgary (from the U.K. via Australia). His fresh ideas
and perspective on our activities will be welcome.
The 1998 Annual General Meeting and Annual Dinner was held on the evening
of January 16th 1999 in the Penthouse Room of the Palliser Hotel in Calgary.
Again, another very successful evening.
Some 70 members and guests were in attendance. We were delighted to have
all Institutions represented with even a Member of the Royal Aeronautical
Society as a very welcome guest. We were also delighted to have some younger
(under 45!) members and guests present, including some who are just now
embarking on their applications for Corporate Membership of their respective
Institutions.
Honoured Guests included Dan Motyka, President of APEGGA, and Mrs.Motyka
together with Dr.Tom Brown, the newly appointed Head of the Civil Engineering
Department at the University of Calgary. (see the notice regarding Nigel
Shrive's appointment on Page 2).
Dan Motyka addressed the Group outlining some of the initiatives and situations
at APEGGA, suitably tailored for the mixed audience.
The AGM went without a hitch and our Executive for 1999 was elected. That
left plenty of time for dancing to an excellent DJ.
The meal itself was excellent with the Palliser living up to its reputation.
The Penthouse Room was a delightful setting for our annual event. It has
fast become a favourite with members and spouses. No doubt there will be
many more such events to be held at this venue in the future.
David Elson