Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Despite concerns around the APS 2020 National Council being held virtually due to the COVID-19, this year’s event was a success.
The Association’s By-Laws, require an annual meeting bringing APS Officers and Delegates together to take stock and review the activities of the Union. The timetable is tied to the union’s fiscal year-end on June 30. A period of time after that date is necessary for the preparation of the financial statements as well as organizing the annual national elections which makes November the appropriate time for National Councils. This year, they were held on November 19 and 20.
On account of the pandemic, this year’s edition was held in a virtual format for the very first time. A general invitation to all active members was therefore made on our website inviting all those wishing to participate. This year’s Council saw more than 25 participants from all areas of the country attend the two-day event. Among them were two external guests for special presentations; Valérie Chamula, the Senior Consultant at Citoyen, the communication firm responsible for the new APS branding, unveiled the new website. Aline Désormeaux and Jasmin Patenaude, the accountants from Désormeaux, Patenaude gave a detailed presentation of the financial statements.
The rest of the presentations were from APS Officers and employees headed by Stéphane Désautels who piloted the event comprising ten different subject areas.
At the event’s conclusion, Stéphane declared, « We succeeded in accomplishing in six hours what we used to do two days ». In the face-to-face format, in a best-case scenario, the Council was held on a Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Assembly on a Sunday, from 9 a.m. to noon. This year’s event saw a tighter schedule with shorter presentations, but the result according to all involved can be summarized in two words: Mission Accomplished!
Congratulations to all participants!