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I would like to begin this message by extending a warm welcome to our two newest Council members, Stephen Underhay and Jay Parsons, and our returning member Harrison Stein. I look forward to working with all three of you during my final year on Council and I’m excited to see what this term on Council brings for you. Additionally, on behalf of Council I would like to extend a sincere thank you to our two outgoing Council members Kristopher Porlier and Jacelynn Reinbolt. It was a pleasure working with you over the last three years and we wish you the best in your career. Your commitment to Council helped guide the profession to where it is today.
In June, we also said goodbye to a long-term public member, Dr. Harriet Johnston. She was an integral part of Council for six years and will be truly missed at the table. Thank you for all your dedication, hard work and collaboration over the years. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
This year we moved to recruitment-based appointments for Council and received great interest for all three positions available. It was the most applications received for Council in recent history which prior to the switch to recruitment had been declining in interest with the election process. Council elected to use an independent HR consultant to maintain the highest level of integrity and privacy for the applicants. The Selection Committee (made up of representatives from Council and the College) was thoroughly impressed with all the shortlisted applicants that were selected for an interview and is very excited about the three members joining Council as we continue the important work of stewarding the profession.
As I step into my second year as Council President and last year on Council, I look forward to the important work ahead. In my first years on Council, I learned the importance of the governance structure of Council. I was quite surprised to discover that being on Council was very different than what I thought, but in a good way. We may not be in charge of the day-to-day activities of the College, but we are part of a much bigger piece of the profession. My next few years, I learned the importance of collaboration with my fellow Council members, and that although one of my interests for the profession may not come to fruition, the impacts we are making at the table are much larger. In my first year as President, I learned the importance of leading our dynamic group of Council members on significant decisions for the profession; the importance of guiding the conversation and making sure each perspective is heard. It was as President that my role changed from ensuring my voice was heard to advocating and making sure everyone else’s was heard.
In my next year, I hope to take these lessons and continue to grow. There are some major milestones ahead of us for the profession. The new competency profiles are expected to come out later this year which will have impact on the profession, the scope of practice and education to name a few. The College is also working tirelessly on recommendations made in the Alberta EMS Provincial Advisory Committee (AEPAC) report to help alleviate some stress on the system, including work on ensuring practicums continue to be available.
Finally, I would like to remind everyone that it is renewal time and to ensure you complete all your requirements with enough time before it closes. College staff are available for questions over the phone, email or through a live chat on the website during business hours. I hope you all enjoyed your summer and the warm weather and have found some time to relax with friends and family.
Best of luck as we head into the 2023/2024 registration year soon.
Travis Lanoway
Council President