HIGHLIGHTS 1. This year's event attracted nearly 170 members and guests to Portage la Prairie.

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1 HIGHLIGHTS 1 Highlights Professional Development Event and 2013 Annual General Meeting Guest Speakers: [L-R] Melissa Beaumont, LL.B, Brian Amiro, P.Ag., Sen. Joanne Buth, Darren Keam, P.Ag. (PD Event Host), and Dale Wrubleski, Ph.D. Professional Development Event This year's event attracted nearly 170 members and guests to Portage la Prairie. Decent road conditions, a strong speaker line-up, and the April date were cited as reasons for the strongest attendance in many years. Initial feedback has been positive to all three morning speakers who presented on a wide range of interesting topics from research to social media. Guest speakers were: Brian Amiro, P.Ag. Associate Dean (Academic) and Professor Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba Melissa Beaumont, LL.B, Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP Dale Wrubleski, Ph.D., Research Scientist, Ducks Unlimited Senator JoAnne Buth capped off the morning sessions with a keynote address after lunch. Her personal reflections included the process leading to her Senate appointment, and observations about the differences she has experienced since assuming her new role about a year ago. Senator Buth brought her comments full circle by highlighting the impact of advice by professionals, the value of continuous learning, and the value of the professional designation. In concluding her remarks, the Senator from Manitoba reminded Agrologists that as professionals everything they do is "out there", and asking how one's actions will impact others is a valuable question to keep in mind.

2 HIGHLIGHTS Issue 1 2 [L-R] Dr. Amiro, P.Ag. on his presentation titled, Real Solutions for Real Problems. Taralea Simpson, P.Ag. introduces second presenter, Dale Wrubleski, Ph.D. Dr. Wrubleski discussing his presentation, Restoring the Tradition at Delta Marsh. Mark Howe, P.Ag. [L] introduces Melissa Beaumont, LL.B. [R] Ms. Beaumont presented Social Media for Professionals: Managing Risks and Opportunities. Leloni Scott, P.Ag., Assistant Deputy Minister, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives [L] introduces Senator JoAnne L. Buth, [R] Keynote Speaker.

3 HIGHLIGHTS Issue 1 3 NETWORK Professional Agrologists and Technical Agrologists meets Agrologists-in-Training to build and maintain relationships. Networking

4 HIGHLIGHTS Issue Annual General Meeting The majority of those attending the Professional Development Event remained for the 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM). Information kits for the meeting were available to all members in attendance and it was noted that the 2012 Annual Report is available on the MIA website ( Current MIA President Richard Kieper, P.Ag. led a series of information presentations from several Councilors. Presenters and their topics were: Digvir Jayas, P.Ag. on Governance Lori-Ann Kaminski, P.Ag. on the newly formed Audit Committee Allen Tyrchniewicz, P.Ag. on the Admission and Rregistration function Ray Redfern, P.Ag. on Public Education and Compliance. A highlight was a presentation by Gordon Earl, P.Ag. on the strategy called "Direct Connect". Direct Connect means registered members reaching out with information to peers about the profession and about the potential for registration. Members were encouraged to consider that getting on board and becoming registered as a professional has several potential benefits. Members can be their own best advocates for the profession, are in an excellent position to network effectively, and can directly influence the resources that become available to support capacity building in MIA. Another highlight was the distribution of a survey to members. The survey was a first step from a new committee helping Council understand what the public thinks is most important for MIA in guiding the profession "in the public interest". While all MIA members were sent information about the purpose of the survey, a draw for an ipad Mini was available to those who attended the meeting. The lucky winner was Wayne Hiltz, P.Ag. Members will hear more about this important work in the future. An election was held at this year's AGM as a requirement of ByLaw changes passed by members at the 2012 AGM. Gordon Earl, P.Ag. and Richard Kieper, P.Ag. were elected to a second threeyear term, while Mark Howe, P.Ag. was newly elected to a three year term on Council. Congratulations to all three and thank you for stepping up on behalf of members. AGM SNAPSHOTS Provincial Council Members Council Members posed before the AGM started. Election Counting Jill Caldwell, P.Ag. supervises ballot collection and counting. Internationally Educated Agrologists Program Participants volunteered during the event. Member Survey Wayne Hiltz, P.Ag. lucky winner received the ipad Mini from Darren Keam, P.Ag.

5 HIGHLIGHTS Issue 1 5 Motions Put Forward The following motions were put forward and passed: 1. Approval of Annual General Meeting Minutes, March 22, Motion to accept the Audit Report and statements from Meyers Norris Penny, LLP. 3. Appointment of Auditor normally members can vote to approve the appointment of auditor for next year. Due to the resignation of Meyers Norris Penny, LLP, as MIA audit nominee for 2013, it was not possible to bring forward a new nominee to the meeting given only a few days notice. Therefore, Provincial Council is required under the ByLaws to appoint an auditor for the coming year. 4. Motion to change the Annual Registration and Practice Fee by an increase of 3% effective January 1, Discussion and Questions from Members What is the expectation for the continued need for additional or new expenses given MIA has experienced operating deficits in the last two years? Response (President): Some of these types of expenses will be required on an ongoing basis as costs are increasing, legislative requirements continue, and regulation is an evolving activity. This provides the rationale for the outreach strategy by members. What happened to the joint proposal to hire a Compliance Officer between MIA and the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists (SIA)? Response (President): There were gains from the work done on the joint proposal. SIA initiated a different strategy and the proposal is not active at this time. MIA continues to work directly with other institutes on related compliance issues. There are consistently only about 40 Technical Agrologists registered with MIA. Should representation of Technical Agrologists be required on Provincial Council to improve the visibility and compliance of those with this education? Response (President): This idea will be referred to Council and may be reviewed by the appropriate committee. The new Council will meet shortly to appoint the officers. Members will receive information after the meeting.

6 HIGHLIGHTS Issue 1 6 Professionalism and Ethics Seminar A Professionalism and Ethics Seminar was held right after the AGM. Larry Taylor, P.Ag. and Jim Weir, Executive Director facilitated the seminar to 25 new Agrologists-in- Training. PD Event, AGM, and P&E Seminar Held at the William Glesby Centre Portage la Prairie, Manitoba Manitoba Institute of Agrologists Dafoe Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2