In 1998 she was president of the association. She will play another major role in the 1999 council as the past president and director of external relations. In this position, Perry will provide leadership for the association's external affairs including liaison with government and employer groups and dealing with national issues. Perry says it is important for the association to maintain strong relations with government and industry. We are employed by government, industry, consulting firms and learning institutions but we must maintain professional independence and uphold the public interest.
Every person practising professional forestry is accountable to the association and the public.
We need to work closely with government and industry so they realize the independent role foresters play in protecting the public interest. Rattray, who is the general manager of the Cariboo Lumber Manufacturers' Association, was elected to council in January for a two-year term and will serve as the director of member communications and finance in 1999. Rattray sees the importance of having a strong communications system in place to reach the members of the association who work in every region and community in this province. Foresters in BC need to keep abreast of these changes to continue to provide the level of professional services expected of them. Jeffrey Alexander, Mauro Calabrese, Mark Dumont, Tracy Earle, Kevin Frittenburg, Shawn Housden, Marco Passeri, Daryl Taylor, and Shane Vermeulen, have all recently passed the association's stringent registration exam and will be recognized as new inductees during the festivities.