We, the members of BCBEC, have a unique opportunity now to advance BCBEC’s basic purpose that is set out in Article 2 of our Constitution. This Articles states:
The purpose of the society is to promote the pursuit of excellence by all individuals and groups having an interest or involvement in the design, construction or other technical aspects of the “building envelope”, and includes the organization and/or sponsorship of meetings, seminars and other activities for the education and professional advancement of those individuals and groups.
Our Constitution was signed by Gary Barr, William Clayton, Alan Toon and John Wells on
August 13, 1990. Since then, a great deal has changed in the design and construction of building envelopes in British Columbia. Not all of the changes during recent years have been easy or pleasant. Nonetheless, based on your strong support and continued participation, BCBEC has maintained its commitment to the education of its members and those who seek to join us.
Your on-going commitment has yielded a modest budget surplus almost every year since our formation. In recent years, the interest generated from this surplus has been distributed, as intended, to students of building envelope design, construction and technology at BCIT and UBC. Your Board of Directors is pleased to report that $150,000 is now permanently available for scholarships and seeks your approval-in-principal to formalize and expand these educational awards. The Board recommends that BCBEC establish a Foundation to provide scholarships for post-secondary students and apprentices who excel in the study of building envelope design, construction and technology.
Discussions with various Foundation managers and a lawyer who specializes in foundations indicate that the BCBEC’s Foundation should have the following basic characteristics.
- The principle amount ($150,000) will be designated in perpetuity to generating interest.
- In accordance with applicable laws the interest will be expended annually, mostly for scholarships and modestly for annual administration costs.
- The BCBEC Foundation will be a Society not a Trust. The Members of the Foundation Society will be BCBEC’s Board of Directors who will appoint a separate Board of Directors for the Foundation Society. The Board recommends that the Directors of the Foundation Society are the past president and former presidents of BCBEC.
- Recipients of the Foundation’s scholarships or bursaries will be registered educational institutions such as UBC, BCIT and qualifying building envelope apprenticeship programs which will award the funds to students according to the Foundation’s directions.
In summary, the Foundation allows each of us whether consultant, contractor, supplier, developer, regulator or warrantor to create a legacy for the education and training of those who will join us and follow us. The Foundation will make a positive and permanent difference.
2007 BCBEC Education Foundation Award
Presented by Douglas Watts, President
Cody Voorhorst
Cameron Harrison
