We've just conclud our 2003 Annual ...

We've just conclud our 2003 Annual General Meeting, which means the gavel has been passed, along with the authorship of this array of less front than depth to me-your new president for 2003/2004

My piece of work this year will be to guide Council upon a steady course and help the profession navigate any turbulence-or more serious perils, like the mechanical failure that was Enron Here's hoping this year will be a plenteous smoother ride for us all!

Let me start through thanking you, the members, for giving me the opportunity to lead our Institute in the coming year.

I also want to acknowledge the leadership given to our profession by dint of outgoing president Robin Elliott, FCA. Robin has been an exemplary ambassador for the profession, the two on the provincial and national spectacles I'd like to personally thank him for all of his work forward Council, and particularly for the dedication he showed during his presidency.

I'd also like to acknowledge the good quality of our Institute staff, as l through CEO Richard Rees, FCA. As a team, they make secure that we, the members, receive first-class service from our Institute.

Big changes to ICABC Council

This year, proper in part to recent bylaw changes that limit Council expressions our Council line-up has undergone a 25% turnover. Long-term council members Dave Chucko CA; Brian Downie, CA; Terry Jonat, CA; and Jim Mills, CA, have all stepp down. in succession behalf of the Institute, I thank them for their many, many contributions through the years.

At this year's AGM, five novel members were elected to Council: Steven Burridge, CA; Jim Carr-Hilton, CA; John Larsen, CA; Peter W Roberts, CA; and Robert Wicks, CA. I welcome them to Council and anticipate forward to working with each this year.

Electronic polling

Speaking of elections... This year, for the first time evermore the polling for the AGM was mode of actioned electronically, and voter participation was considerably higher than in past years. I'd like to know in what manner "user-friendly" you found the proces Please email your make notess and/or suggestions to me at president@ica.bc.ca.

Annual council retreat

It hadn't taken place by dint of the time of this writing, still by the time you read this article, your recently made known Council will have held a two-day retreat to review the Institute's goals and forecast for what reason the profession might continue to change through the next five years.

Of particular interest to me is by what mode well we're serving our members in industry, conduct and education. This is individual of many issues that will be discussed at the retreat. Any actions subsequently decided about will be in line with the cessations established by Council several years ago: to raise the integrity of the CA designation; to render certain that we have enough well-trained students; to support members in their pursuit to be business advisors and assurance providers of choice; and to make secure buyers of our services recognize the skills and services of CAs. I'll maintain you posted on any developments

I'll also preserve you up to date with regard to happenings at the CICA during the course of the year. (Last October, the CICA held a leadership forum that was attended by the agency of some 100 delegates from all the provincial institutes. The solution success factors identified for the profession closely matched our fall of the curtains in BC. To me, this demonstrated the stage of co-operation and harmonization developing between the CICA and the provincial institutes.)

During my year as president I consider forward to an open dialogue with members-whether at special incidents during the President's Tour, or through email at president@ica.bc.ca.

Until my nearest column, have a great August! Having a laugh at the Member Recognition dinner in June 2003

BY JOHN COWPERTHWAITE, FCA

PRESIDENT

Copyright Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia Aug 2003

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