AACE President Resigns

Dianne Conrad, AACE President, has resigned her position, effective June 17, 1996. Dianne had been active in AACE for many years and had served the Board as Director of Personnel (1993 - 1995) and President (1 995 - 1996). Currently Program Manager of the CACE Program at the University of Alberta, she taught at Fairview College from 1981 to 1988 and served as representative on the Manning and District Further Education Council. Her contributions and dedication will certainly be missed by AACE members.

Dianne's departure leaves a major gap on the AACE Board, one that was compounded by the resignations of Jane Brenner, Lloyd Quantz and Tara Fenwick following the Spring Conference in Jasper. Fortunately, John Melicher, Executive Director of REDA and former AACE Board member, has agreed to serve as President until the next Board election in 1997. Two of the unoccupied Board positions have also been filled: Lynne Nieman from Claresholm and Reni Picton from Red Deer. One Board position remains vacant.

Over the summer, the Board will be negotiating a contract with REDA (Rural Education Development Authority) to maintain the Secretariat in Edmonton. The Board has also decided to hire an ACE employee early in 1997 as a conference support person. Work continues on the 1997 AACE Joumal, on the 1996 Fall Conference in Edmonton, and on the 1997 Spring Conference in Kananaskis.

AACE has remained strong through the uncertain period of government cutbacks and economic uncertainty. This, as much as anything, has spoken resoundingly about member support, timely professional development activities, meaningful and responsive publications and a well-thoughtout advocacy position. We now find ourselves in a position where the ongoing contribution of members is essential - in planning and running the annual conference, in contributing to the newsletter and Joumal, in articulating positions for advocacy, and in serving on the Board of Directors.

In the coming months, we will be asking you, the AACE membership for help, help that is vital to providing a (continued on level of service and responsiveness you have come to expect. We are committed to doing the best we can with the resources we have. But we will need your contributions and your support to make AACE the best it can be.

Stephen Evans

Letter From Dianne Conrad

Dear AACE members;

It is with regret that I announce my resignation from the AACE Presidency and the AACE Board, effectively immediately.

It has been a great privilege to have served on the Board in the various capacities that I have, as Personnel Director, and then President, in the last few years. Although Board participation is demanding and constant, the rewards are rich and the learning opportunities plentiful. Above all, it is a wonderful vantage point from which to view the adult education activities of working Albertans and feel a part of the exciting and important evolution of our field.

I would like to thank the AACE Board members, past and present, for their encouragement and support. Thanks also to AACE's army of volunteers who make all things possible with their collective skills and energies. A special thanks to the University of Alberta for its support of AACE and my AACE activities.

Sincerely,
Dianne Conrad

1996 AACE Board Retreat

by Faye Wiesenberg

The annual Board Retreat affords the newly constituted Board an opportunity to review the previous year's activities, brainstorm current activities and priorities, and collectively plan for the up-coming year.

Due to a number of issues, the year's Retreat resulted in the almost complete allocation of Board positions and responsibilities for 1996/97.

• Diane Osberg will remain as Past President and Karen Hesse as Secretary. Karen will also be assuming responsibilities in the promotion and advertising of conferences and workshops.
  
  
• President and Board Chair is now John Melicher, who agreed to return to the Board in this role until the next Board election. Dianne Conrad has resigned from the Board, leaving a vacancy that none of the remaining Board members felt equipped to fill. We are very pleased to have John rejoin us and look forward to his leadership.
  
  
• The Vice-President's position will be filled by Reni Picton (see profile on page 6). Reni has agreed to serve until Board elections in April, 1997. She will fill in for the President when necessary and assist unit directors in need of additional resources.
  
  
• The Advocacy Unit Director is now Paul Little, a newly elected member with prior service on the AACE Board. Paul's priorities will be to liase with the Alberta Government and co-ordinate AACE's response to government discussion documents tabled in 1996197.
  
  
• The Communications and Liaison Unit Director is. now Faye Wicsenberg, who moves over from the Advocacy Unit. She replaces Stephen Evans, who will assume the duties of Treasurer. Faye will be assisted in producing the AACE newsletter and Journal by both Stephen and Lynne Nieman.
  
  
• The Financial Unit Directorship has not, as yet, been filled because the Board is short one member. The Board is looking for an individual with strengths in fundraising to assist in obtaining sponsorship for AACE conferences and workshops
  
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• The Personnel Unit Director is now Lynne Niernan (see profile on page 6). Lynne has agreed to serve until the next Board elections. Her priority will be new membership recruitment.
  
  
• The Program and Services Unit will again be headed by Janet Elder. Janet will be assisted by Diane Osberg and Karen Hesse, however she will also need a great deal of member assistance on the Program, Social and Sponsorship committees if she is to offer high quality events that AACE members have enjoyed the past year.

There is still one position left on the AACE
Board to fill. If you are interested in serving on
the Board until April, 1997, please contact:

Diane Osberg, Past President
Box 31, Site 7, RR 1
Priddis, AB TOL 1 WO
(403) 949-2165