So a two-week stay home order in March 2020, and here we are a year-and-a-half later, and we are still dealing with the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This fall, we were hoping to once again, meet in person, enjoy some fellowship, and make things look more like normal. But here we are, meeting virtually once again. And to be sure, approaching the SBOA Conference with what is starting to look like at least part of the new normal. Our ability to meet virtually, share information, and to learn has proven to be very effective. When faced with today’s challenges of meeting in person, and putting together a hybrid virtual / in-person conference, the decision was made to keep this conference as online.
I want to thank our Conference Chair Virginia who has managed once again to put together a very informative selection of topics and top-quality presenters. I can tell you; she takes this role seriously and never stops looking for topics and presenters. And we have always benefitted from it. I know Michelle helps put it all together, and Ryan is our go-to on the technical pieces of putting together these conferences. So a big thank you to all for getting this year’s conference rolled out.
This conference marks the end of my term as President of the Saskatchewan Building Officials Association. I am incredibly proud of the work of this Association. It has been an honour to serve the membership as President and to work with such an incredibly dedicated team of Building Officials not just in my past 7 years as President, but with all the directors, board members, committee members, conference host committees, and everyone else that has been leaned on, and that I have had the good fortune to have worked side by side with, and to have been associated with.
I look forward to continuing to serve the membership in my new, and highly sought-after role of Immediate Past President.
Which brings me to my next task…thanking Dan Knutson. Today also marks the end of Dan’s term as Immediate Past President, and the moment he steps down from serving on the board. Dan and I first joined the board around the same time 17 years ago. Dan has contributed to the world of Building Officials in this province in many ways, and in many roles including President of the Association for 8 years. Dan’s dedication to his Association is obvious. One thing that always struck me is how highly regarded Dan with the National ACBOA organization. As it has been explained to me, the little province on the prairies always punched above our weight class when it comes to national contribution. This is a tradition that Dan always brought to the table. The work and advancement of the SBOA has always benefitted from Dan’s involvement. And I encourage everyone when you get a chance, shake Dan’s hand and say thanks!
And the last thing I will say to our membership is this…get involved! No group has built, enhanced, and evolved the toolbox for Building Officials more than Building Officials. We have worked alongside our government partners, our colleagues from across the country, and all our industry partners, always with the benefit of Building Officials as our goal. This does not happen without dedication of people like the people that have served this membership since the beginning in 1965. Hosting information conferences, creation of the very first formal training program in the province- the Building Code Training for Canadians course, bringing formal training and education programs for the industry to the province, creating a new licensing exam program…these things don’t just happen. It takes work. And when you think all these things have been built on the backs of volunteers, its an impressive feat indeed. But the board, the committees…they need a workforce. That workforce is you, the members. If we don’t do it, who will? So again, if this work is important to you, if you are ready to be part of an incredibly engaged and dedicated group of people, if you want to see your industry and your career advance, then sign up. Ask where you can get involved, and you will find a place to get involved.
The work of the SBOA is incredibly rewarding, and undeniably essential. Thank you and be well!