Spring, 1998

Message from the Chair 
by Don Gelinas
As this will be my last message as Chair of the Rocky Mountain Section, I would like to pass along my thanks to this year’s Council for a job well done.  Special thanks, in particular, to Al Benson, Paul Woodard and Darrel MacKay who complete their two-year terms on Council.  I would be remiss if I did not mention Craig Quintilio, who will be completing a three-year stint on Council in the positions of Vice-Chair, Chair and Director.  Craig’s contributions and support were invaluable to me personally, as well as to the whole Council. 

As you may already be aware, we have found replacements for these individuals, in addition to a new recruit for the position of Vice-Chair.  The results of the recent mail-out ballot confirmed Jerry Sunderland (Regional Director, NES) as the incoming Vice-Chair.  Ken Plourde (ALPAC), Teresa Stokes (LFS, FMD) and Sarah Gooding (Timberline) are our three new Councillors.  Ken Mallet (CFS) assumes the position of Chair and I move on into the position of Director.  Together with Gord Sanders (Slave Lake Pulp), Dan Wilkinson (LFS, FMD), Stan Kavalinas (LFS, FMD) and Todd Nash, our Secretary/Treasurer (KPMG), we will strive to serve you in the coming year and deliver another outstanding program. 

This past year’s program offered the membership a diverse menu of learning opportunities through three well-attended Technical Sessions.  The fall session, held in the 1997 Provincial Forest Capital, Grande Prairie, was entitled “Fire Management into the Next Century”.  We followed that up with a full day session in January with the Alberta Forest Management Science Council and presentations on “The Science of Sustainable Forest Management”.  Our spring session held in conjunction with the U of A Forest Industry Lecture Series, the U of A Ring Ceremony, and the ARPFA Professional Workshop on the “Professional Exam Preparation Web Site”, featured the topic of “Insects and the Forest”. 

It has been a great year and it has been a real treat serving as Chair.  There is no lack of work but there is something about this organization and, perhaps, the Rocky Mountain Section in particular, that just make you want to participate and carry on the tradition of success that this Section is known for.  I highly recommend the experience. 

Treasurer's Report 
by Todd Nash

STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES - MAY 1, 1998
ASSETS
Petty Cash

5.03
Chequing Account

7,935.53
Prepaid Expenses (see note 1)

0.00
HAMPCO Float (see note 2)

5,000.00
Royal Bank T-Bill Fund

6,446.23
CIBC GIC (Dec 7/95)

15,879.64
Total

35,266.43
LIABILITIES  
Nil

0.00

Total

0.00

MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT

35,266.43
TOTAL LIABILITIES & MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT

35,266.43
Note 1:  Office Share Agreement with ARPFA includes newsletter, mailing and other day-to-day operating costs estimated at $250 per month.  Prepayment of one year’s expenses of $3,000 made for the period of July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998.  An expense of $250 will be recognized as the year progresses.  Actual costs will be reconciled with the prepayment amount at the end of the period with a single payment or refund to balance the account.
Note 2:  A float of $5,000 was provided to HAMPCO to assist with any operating expenses the Committee may be required to cover.  The float will be refunded with revenues from the CIF 1999 AGM in Banff.
Program Committee 
by Al Benson
Thanks to everyone who assisted the Program Committee in the last year to deliver the quality of Technical Sessions that provides all members with insight and new leading edge information.  Thanks to all members that pre-registered for the March Technical Session as over 75% was pre-registered.  This helps the organization of the sessions as well as speeds registration up at the door.  The 1998 fall Technical Session will be held in Whitecourt on September 18, 1998, so block off your calendar now. Please let your CIF/RMS Council know what your issues or information needs are so we can have Technical Sessions that are topical and timely. Look for future upgrades to our receipt system to further improve member convenience and ease of registration.  Thanks to the Council for their support in the last two years and good luck to the incoming Program Committee.