21 minute read
CPD Corner
Not ready to stop CPD, profiling Robert Story
Mark Gardin, PQS
For this instalment of the CPD Corner I thought I would take the opportunity to profile a truly great quantity surveyor who is a long time practitioner of continuous professional development. Robert Story, or better known simply as Bob, has spent his entire career in the electrical field much of it as an estimator and quantity surveyor in Atlantic Canada. He is a Honourary Life Member of CIQS Maritimes.
Bob was born March 19, 1923 in the north end of Halifax. His father was a World War I veteran and served with the Calvary for Canada.
In 1940, at age 17, Bob joined the workforce as an apprentice electrician at the Halifax Shipyards until June 1942 when he enlisted in the army and served in England, France, Belgium and Holland during World War II.
While serving, he volunteered to join the Special Forces and returned back to Canada in July 1945 to train in Nova Scotia. But only a month into the training, the unit was disbanded after the war in the Far East ended.
Bob quickly returned back to Halifax Shipyards and continued as an electrical apprentice until November 1947 when he was transferred to the electrical drawing office working on the destroyer ship programme. In May, 1947 he married his wife, Mary, and they will soon be celebrating their 66th anniversary. Bob and Mary have three daughters and one son and now enjoy six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
In 1950, Bob joined Bedard & Girad Ltd, an electrical contractor and worked in the field on many different sites in the Maritime Provinces until 1952 when he was asked to join the estimating department.
In 1955, he moved to Canadian Comstock International and opened an office in Dartmouth, NS. Bob worked as an estimator and project manager on major projects throughout Atlantic Canada.
Bob remembers one of many interesting projects he worked on in Northern Nova Scotia where he estimated and project managed the electrical contract for a Receiving and Transmitting Facility for NATO. The project involved constructing an enormous underground bunker. “Every piece of rebar had to be grounded and there were 20 men mostly welding ground bars for nearly two years.”
Another interesting project was the Springhill Institution – a medium security penitentiary. “It was the first precast project in Nova Scotia and nobody quite knew how to estimate productivity for site labour. I remember the project was so large, my estimate was over five inches thick of paper.”
“And back in those days everything was done on a handshake. Whether it was to award a job, order materials, or lend some of your men to the competitors to help them get their job done. It was much easier back then because the jobs were not under the same pressures to be completed as they are today.”
After 10 years with Comstock, Bob joined F.C. O’Neil Scriven Associates Ltd, a large consulting and design firm in Halifax performing many duties including budgeting, project management and drawings. In 1971, F.C. O’Neil Scriven loaned Bob to Public Works and Government Services Canada where he was involved in building design and costing in the electrical section.
Following three years with the Federal Government, Bob rejoined Canadian Comstock International as estimator and project manager in their electrical division in the Dartmouth Office.
Pictured above left is Bob’s father after WWI and above right is Bob after WWII.
Pictured above left are Bob and Mary and their wedding day and above right is a recent picture of Bob and Mary. Bob in the 1980’s working in his office in Dartmouth, NS.
In 1977, Bob opened the electrical section for Steen Mechanical Contractors Ltd where he oversaw the estimating and project management team in the electrical division for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
And finally in 1981, Bob officially opened his own consulting firm, Robert M. Story Consulting and Drafting Services Ltd. In the early years, Bob focused on drafting services which became quite a costly endeavour in the early 1980’s as new, highly sophisticated, computer aided drafting programs were being introduced into the market. Not only were the programs expensive to purchase, continuously training staff to keep current was also a huge expense.
“I was a great believer of training people that were coming out of technical schools that did not at that time have much chance of getting into the work force due to lull in construction, which was typical to Nova Scotia in those early years.”
At the same time the company was delivering drafting services, Bob was also providing electrical cost consulting services to local QS firms. First with Ross Willcocks & Associates, (led by Allen Willcocks, PQS(F) CIQS Past President) and later with Helyar & Associates (led by Hugh Thomas, PQS(F)).
“From these gentlemen I owe great deal of gratitude for my learning curve and becoming a Professional Quantity Surveyor within NSAQS.” Bob recalls.
Bob also worked closely with Tom Goodyear, PQS, (CIQS Past President) who specialized in mechanical costing and conveniently, they were both working in the same building, on the same floor, so a great relationship formed.
Over the years Bob continued to work with local QS firms and for electrical contractors namely: Leslie White, PQS(F) CIQS Maritimes Founding Member and Past President, of P&L Consultants; Vince Minett; and Bond & Coolen Electrical Contracting. “The professional relationships I made turned into great friendships outside of work. Allen, Hugh and Vince were especially a big part in my life as well as many others that I became associated with through quantity surveying.”
And through it all, he continued to teach and mentor new recruits to the ways of electrical estimating and budgeting. Bob continues to train new estimators for Bond & Coolen and there was a period of 14 years when he taught the Electrical module for the Construction Administration Technology program at NSIT. I was fortunate to be one of his students and still use some of the techniques Bob instilled in his students on the comprehension and estimating of electrical systems.
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2010 CIQS Maritimes President Mark Gardin presenting Bob with his Honourary Life Member certificate.
Not only does he teach new estimators the basics of material takeoff, productivity, and pricing, he himself keeps up with the latest technologies and is a self taught user of Accubid, computerized estimating software which he uses for all his estimates. He communicates with email and uses the latest version of Excel for portions of his estimates. Not bad for someone who started his career before pocket calculators, personal computers, faxes, and cellphones were in use.
Bob has remained active with CIQS Maritimes since its inception in 1979. He is a founding member and he regularly attends AGM’s (including the 2012 AGM); attended nearly all of the annual Christmas Dinners; was on hand to meet the CIQS Council when they visited Halifax in 2010; and attended the Golf Tournament in 2010.
In April, 2010, I had the pleasure of inducting Bob as a Honourary Life Member of CIQS Maritimes. He humbly accepted the award and said there were others that deserved it more. He is a venerable professional, a gentleman, and a quiet leader in the field of quantity surveying.
I recently went to lunch with Bob to celebrate his 90th birthday. He continues to work every day and genuinely loves what he does. He still gets excited when you bring him a big roll of plans – you know what I mean - that twinkle in the eye, like the kid in the candy store.
During my visit, as we chatted, I mentally tallied up his CPD points for last year just for my own curiosity. Professional Activity: 20 points maximum; Participation: attended CIQS Maritimes AGM = 4 points; Contributions to the QS Knowledge Base: mentoring (on and off for 3 months) +/- 60 hrs = 60 points. Total 2012 CPD points = 84 points.
It is so simple for Bob to continue with professional development because he understands the importance of maintaining currency within his profession and he has naturally made it part of his daily routine. Otherwise, he is acutely aware he would not be able to continue to do what he loves without it. As I was leaving, Bob says, “The construction industry has been good to me and I will always cherish the years of working with many people who are still in the workforce and many friends that have passed on through the years.” He then followed with, “I am thinking about retiring in 5 years.”
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Bob recently in his office putting the finishing touches on another estimate.
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New modern corporate law applicable to non-share capital corporations in force now
The Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS) exists as a non-share capital corporation incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act (CCA). The CCA has been virtually unchanged since 1917, but a new modern corporate law applicable to non share capital corporations, the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (CNFPCA) was enacted in 2009 and is now in force.
The CNFPCA allows for increased flexibility in governance, and modernizes the not-for-profit corporate regime to align more closely with the corporate laws applicable to business corporations.
To benefit from the CNFPCA, all federal non-share capital corporations (including CIQS) must take the legal steps necessary to ‘continue’ (that is, to transfer out of the CCA and into the CNFPCA). If the CIQS fails to continue under the CNFPCA by October 2014, it will be dissolved by Industry Canada, so this is a mandatory process CIQS must undertake.
This process involves replacing letters patent with articles, and adopting new bylaws under the CNFPCA. Since changing corporate jurisdictions is a fundamental corporate change, it requires approval by the members of CIQS and this matter will be on the agenda at the 2013 annual meeting of members.
The board of directors engaged Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) to assist with its transition under the CNFPCA. As part of this process we reviewed the existing governance structure and identified certain areas that were ambiguous or confusing, namely, the CIQS membership structure. As currently drafted in the CIQS by-laws, the membership structure is composed, on the one hand, of the provincial affiliates of CIQS, and on the other hand, of the individuals who hold PQS/CEC designations (the Designationholders). This structure has led to confusion as to whom National Council is accountable – to the various provincial affiliates (and through them the Designationholders) or to Designationholders directly, or to both.
After careful deliberation, your National Council has adopted amendments to CIQS governance documents to clarify that National Council is accountable to the provincial affiliates (and through them the Designationholders). As a result of these changes, the provincial affiliates will be responsible for selecting the National Council of CIQS and each provincial association will be required to hold its own democratic, transparent and accountable process for selecting representatives to sit on National Council.
Following these changes, individual Designationholders will not be required to attend member meetings, and will not be responsible for directly electing National Council, but Designationholders will otherwise maintain their existing relationship with CIQS through individual licences to use PQS/CEC designations, and the educational and other programming CIQS provides to Designationholders.
This new governance structure reinforces the truly national character of CIQS.
In addition, CIQS will continue to expand its national mandate, for example by adopting a national credentialing and disciplinary standards by-law with which each provincial association must comply when conducting disciplinary proceedings. Establishing these national standards is an example of National Council’s desire to strengthen governance of itself and each provincial affiliate in a way that promotes transparency, accountability and fairness practices, with a view to strengthening the public’s perception and trust in the quantity surveying industry across Canada.
These proposed changes will be voted on by the membership at the June annual general meeting in Montreal. Additional materials will be circulated to all members and posted on the CIQS website well in advance of the meeting to ensure Designationholders and provincial affiliates have an opportunity to consider and comment on these proposed changes. In this regard, National Council has committed to setting up a conference call question and answer session in advance of the June AGM, for anyone interested in discussing these changes. The date and time and call-in details will be posted on the CIQS website in several weeks and we hope to answer questions and take feedback from interested parties at that session.
Nick G. Pasquino is a lawyer in the Toronto office of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, solicitors to CIQS. His practice focuses on advising non-share capital corporations on corporate, commercial and governance issues. Mr. Pasquino can be reached at npasquino@blg.com.
2013 CIQS Convention and Annual General Meeting
Governance and construction economics
Montreal – June 13-15, 2013
We are pleased to invite you to join the partners in the upcoming national convention of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS), to be held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Montreal from June 13-15, 2013. This convention will bring together representatives of companies and institutions involved in construction economics as well as the estimators and quantity surveyors of tomorrow.
Lectures and seminars will be adapted to the needs of the industry’s stakeholders. Lectures will be presented in both French and English.
Program Schedule
Thursday, June 13, at the Hotel Intercontinental of Montreal (International Business Center)
TIME FRAME ACTIVITY TITLE LECTURER
7:30 am - 8:45 am Registration, Welcome, coffee and pastries 9:00 am - 10:15 am Technical session 1 (French) 9:00 am - 10:15 am Technical session 2 (French) 10:30 am - 11:45 am Technical session 3 (French) 10:30 am - 11:45 am Technical session 4 (French)
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Lunch 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Technical session 5 (French)
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Technical session 6 (French) 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Technical session 7 (French) 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Technical session 8 (French) BIM for project management, cost and quality Mr. Yvon Chabot, PQS, President Schema Group
Disputes in the construction industry
Mr. Joe Morrone, Morrone Layers Environmental management; The reality of costs in 2013 Mr. Guy Châteauneuf, Inspecsol The impact of new laws on construction economics Mr. Yves-Thomas Dorval, Conseil du patronat du Québec
New integrity specifications for those who have business with the government (To Be Determined) (To Be Determined) Governance, contract award and procurement Mr. Marc Samson, Quebec Treasury Board Secretariat Mr. Dominic Lemmo, Senior VP TD Banque Mr. Claude Lamothe, Cécobois Mr. Larbi Bennouna, SETYM International
Friday June 14th, at the Hotel Intercontinental of Montreal (International Business Center)
TIME FRAME ACTIVITY TITLE
7:30 am - 8:45 am Registration, Welcome, coffee and pastries 9:00 am - 10:15 am Technical session 9 (French) Investment opportunities in the construction industry – What does the future hold?
LECTURER
Mr. Jean-Philippe Cliche, Quebec Construction Association-Provincial
9:00 am - 10:15 am Technical session 10 (French)
9:00 am - 10:15 am Technical session 11 (English)
10:30 am - 11:45 am Technical session 12 (French) 10:30 am - 11:45 am Technical session 13 (French) 10:30 am - 11:45 am Technical session 14 (English)
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Cocktail, lunch and conference, Graduation and Scholarships, Special Guest 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm CIQS 2013 AGM (English) 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm President’s Dinner Better Capital Planning and Decision Making ; a look at the Asset Management strategies of our Commonwealth cousins, Australia and New Zealand 100 years Concrete (for bridge desk purpose) (To Be Determined) Mr. Louis-Martin Guénette, Planifika-GDAI
Mr. Daniel Cusson, NCRC
Our Public Procurement Rules. Are they strong enough? Mr. Luc Martin, CEGQ How to do business with the Federal Government Mr. Denis Lévesque, PWGSC Procurement dept Better Capital Planning and Decision Making; a look at the Asset Management strategies of our Commonwealth cousins, Australia and New Zealand M. Louis-Martin Guénette, Planifika GDAI
Technical session (English) New Guide on Cost Predictability of Construction Projects M. John Westeinde,P.Eng « CCA Person of the year Award »
Saturday, June 15, at the ‘Club de golf de Meadowbrook’ (http://www.clubdegolfmeadowbrook.com/)
TIME FRAME ACTIVITY
9:00 am - 3:00 pm Clive Evans’ Golf Tournament
Congrès national de l’ICÉC 2013 et Assemblée générale annuelle
Gouvernance et économie de la construction
13 au 15 juin 2013, à Montréal
C’est avec plaisir que nous vous invitons à joindre les partenaires du congrès national de l’Institut canadien des économistes en construction (ICÉC), qui se tiendra à l’hôtel Intercontinental de Montréal du 13 au 15 et juin prochain. Ce congrès réunira dans un même lieu, les estimateurs et économistes en construction, les représentants des entreprises et institutions qui œuvrent dans le domaine de l’économie de la construction.
Les conférences et séminaires qui y seront présentés seront adaptés aux besoins des intervenants du milieu de la construction. Les conférences seront présentées en français et en anglais.
Programmation
Jeudi le 13 juin, à l’hôtel Intercontinental de Montréal (Centre d’affaires Internationales)
HEURE ACTIVITÉ TITRE
07h30-08h45 Accueil, mot de bienvenue, café et viennoiseries 09h00-10h15 Conférence 1 (Français) 09h00-10h15 Conférence 2 (Français) 10h30-11h45 Conférence 3 (Français) 10h30-11h45 Conférence 4 (Français)
12h00-13h30 Dîner 13h30-14h45 Conférence 5 (Français)
13h30-14h45 Conférence 6 (Français) 15h00-16h15 Conférence 7 (Français) 15h00-16h15 Conférence 8 (Français) Processus BIM pour gestion de projet, de coût et de qualité Litiges dans l’industrie de la construction gestion environnementale ; La réalité des coûts en 2013 Modifications législatives et réglementaires dans l’industrie de la construction : quels impacts pour les entreprises ?
De nouvelles normes d’intégrité pour les entreprises qui font affaires avec l’État À venir À venir Gouvernance, octroi de contrat et passation de marché
CONFÉRENCIER
M. Yvon Chabot, ÉCA, président Groupe Schéma M. Joe Morrone, Morrone Avocats M. Guy Châteauneuf, Inspecsol M. Yves-Thomas Dorval, Conseil du patronat du Québec
M. Marc Samson, Secrétariat du conseil du trésor
M. Dominic Lemmo, v.-p. Senior Banque TD M. Claude Lamothe, Cécobois M. Larbi Bennouna, SETYM International
Vendredi le 14 juin, à l’hôtel Intercontinental de Montréal (Centre d’affaires internationales)
HEURE ACTIVITÉ TITRE
07h30 -08h45 Accueil, mot de bienvenue, café et viennoiseries 09h00-10h15 Conférence 9 (Français)
Perspectives d’investissements dans l’industrie de la construction – Que nous réserve l’avenir? 09h00-10h15 Conférence 10 (Français) Planification des immobilisations et processus décisionnel ; un regard sur la gouvernance chez nos cousins du Commonwealth, en particulier de l’Australie et la Nouvelle-Zélande
09h00-10h15 Conférence 11 (Anglais)
Béton 100 ans (tablier de pont) (titre à confirmer) 10h30-11h45 Conférence 12 (Français) Nos règles de marchés publics résisteront-elles ? 10h30-11h45 Conférence 13 (Français) Faire affaire avec le gouvernement fédéral 10h30-11h45 Conférence 14 (Anglais) Planification des immobilisations et processus décisionnel ; un regard sur la gouvernance chez nos cousins du Commonwealth, en particulier de l’Australie et la Nouvelle-Zélande
12h00-14h00 Cocktail et dîner conférence ; Remise des diplômes et bourses, Invité d’honneur 14h30-17h30 AGA de l’ICÉC - (Anglais) 19h30-22h00 Souper du président Conférence (Anglais) Le guide de la prévisibilité des coûts en construction
CONFÉRENCIER
M. Jean-Philippe Cliche, ACQ – Provinciale
M. Louis-Martin Guénette, Planifika-GDAI
M. Daniel Cusson, CNRC M. Luc Martin, CEGQ M. Denis Lévesque, Approvisionnement TPSGC M. Louis-Martin Guénette, Planifika GDAI
M. John Westeinde, ing. Personnalité de l’année de l’ACC (Association canadienne de la construction)
Samedi le 15 juin, au club de golf de Meadowbrook (http://www.clubdegolfmeadowbrook.com/)
HEURE ACTIVITÉ
09h00-15h00 Tournoi de GOLF Clive Evans
Congress held June 13-15, 2013, at Montreal’s Intercontinental Hotel
Registration Form (one form per person)
Name of the participant: Company/Organization: Address:
Telephone: Email:
DESCRIPTION Student Price Member Price Non-Member Price Total
Thursday, June 13, 2013 CIQS Council Meeting (Council only) Technical sessions package CIQS Reception 6:00 pm N/A
N/A $20.00 $85.00
N/A $130.00 No charge No charge No charge
Friday, June 14, 2013 Technical sessions package
$30.00 $100.00 $160.00 CIQS Council Meeting 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm No charge No charge No charge President’s dinner 7:30 pm $50.00 $75.00 $85.00 June 13-14, 2013 Technical sessions package $40.00 $150.00 $225.00 If you register before April 30, a $20.00 discount will apply to members and non-members N/A -$20.00 -$20.00
Sub-total
GST 5% (non-taxable) PST 9.975% GRAND TOTAL (gratuities included) Lunches are included in the daily package June 15: Golf: Club de Golf Meadowbrook; 18 holes $35; cart $28 (paid on site). I plan to play: Yes q No q
Depending on your package, please check one conference per time-slot:
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2013
9:00 am – 10:15 am Conference 1 q Conference 2 q 10:30 am – 11:45 am Conference 3 q Conference 4 q 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm Conference 5 q Conference 6 q 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm Conference 7 q Conference 8 q
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2013
9:00 am – 10:15 am Conference 9 q Conference 10 q Conference 11 q 10:30 am – 11:45 am Conference 12 q Conference 13 q Conference 14 q 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Conference luncheon (This conference is included in the package.)
Payment by cheque only Cheque payable to: Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors - Quebec Mail the form and cheque to Isabelle Buisson, at the following address: 8615 Lafrenaie Street St. Leonard, Quebec H1P 2B6
Formulaire d’inscription (un formulaire par personne)
Nom du/de la participant(e) : Compagnie/organisation : Adresse :
Téléphone : Courriel :
DESCRIPTION Prix étudiant Prix membre Prix non-membre Total
Jeudi 13 juin 2013 Réunion des membres du conseil de l’ICÉC s.o. s.o. s.o.
Forfait conférences Cocktail de l’ICÉC - 18h00 20.00 $ 85.00 $ 130.00 $ s.f. s.f. s.f.
Vendredi 14 juin 2013 Forfait conférences AGA de l’ICÉC 14h30-17h30 Souper du président - 19h30 Jeudi et vendredi 13 et 14 juin 2013 Forfait conférences Si vous vous inscrivez avant le 30 avril, un rabais de 20.00$ est applicable
Sous-total
TPS 5% (non taxable) TVQ 9.975% GRAND TOTAL (Service inclus) Les dîners sont inclus dans le forfait journalier 30.00 $ 100.00 $ 160.00 $ s.f. s.f. s.f. 50.00 $ 75.00 $ 85.00 $
40.00 $ 150.00 $ 225.00 $ s.o. -20.00$ -20.00$
15 juin: Club de Golf Meadowbrook; parcours 18 trous = 35.00 $, voiturette = 28.00 $ (payable sur place). Je prévois jouer oui q non q
JEUDI LE 13 JUIN 2013
9h00 – 10h15 Conférence 1 q Conférence 2 q 10h30 – 11h45 Conférence 3 q Conférence 4 q 13h30– 14h45 Conférence 5 q Conférence 6 q 15h00 –16h15 Conférence 7 q Conférence 8 q
VENDREDI LE 14 JUIN 2013
9h00 – 10h15 Conférence 9 q Conférence 10 q Conférence 11 q 10h30 – 11h45 Conférence 12 q Conférence 13 q Conférence 14 q 12h00 – 14h00 Dîner conférence (La conférence est incluse dans le forfait)
Paiement par chèque seulement Chèque payable à : Institut canadien des économistes en construction – Québec Postez le formulaire et chèque à l’attention d’Isabelle Buisson, à l’adresse suivante : 8615, rue Lafrenaie St-Léonard (Québec) H1P 2B6
Selon votre forfait, veuillez cocher une conférence par plage horaire :
