Annual General Meeting

The 49th annual meeting of the New Brunswick Institute of Agrologists (NBIA) took place at the New Maryland Centre, New Maryland on Friday the 24th of April 2009. From all accounts, the location and material was of the highest quality. The format for the day was professional development sessions in the morning and afternoon, with the business meeting over lunch and the awards banquet in the evening with entertainment provided by Greg Sweetland and friends.

AGM - Institute Business
Sixty members were in attendance for the 2009 annual meeting. The various reports including that of President Jennifer McDonald, P.Ag. were distributed, including and update on Professional Development Standardization. Other business included the financial report, the Registrar’s report and the budget statement, presented by Michel Melanson, Duncan Fraser and Rita Rattray. The committee structures were revised with new members added. As the North-east Branch is celebrating its 25th anniversary next year, the 2010 annual meeting will be in the Grand Falls area.

AGM - By-law Changes
One by-law change was made to section 3.3 to comply with the inter-provincial agreement on labour mobility. 3.3. Any person who is a registered member in good standing in a provincial professional agricultural organization, recognized by the Institute, and with which the Institute has a reciprocal agreement, may be granted membership in the Institute provided he or she is lawfully entitled to work in Canada.

AGM - NBIA Officers for 2009 - 2010
The slate of officers for 2009-2010 was presented. President Gavin Graham, P.Ag. is in the first year of his term, Vice-President, Pat Toner P.Ag., is in the first year of his term, and Past-President Jennifer McDonald, P.Ag., is in the first year of her term.

Registrar Michel Melanson, P.Ag., and Secretary/Treasurer Duncan Fraser, P.Ag., were reappointed.

Councillors Bonnie Robertson, P.Ag., is in the second year of her term, Cedric MacLeod, P.Ag., is in the second year of his term, Heather Scott, P.Ag. is in the first year of her term, and Shaun Pelkey, P.Ag., is in the first year of his term.

Andrew Currie from Douglas, NB is our independent layperson on Council.

Rita Rattray continues as our Office Administrator.