by Karen Hesse

A total of 137 delegates participated in AACE's annual spring conference "Strategies for Success in the New Economy: Technology, Training & Tradition", at Jasper Park Lodge April 21-24, 1996. This year's theme continued the search for linkages between learning, training, technology and social change.

Three keynote presenters delivered timely and intriguing presentations on strategies for building virtual learning communities. Jim Carroll, known throughout Canada as an authority on the Internet, explored business strategies and marketing opportunities on the 'Net, how it provides educators access to a world of information and why it has had such a marked impact on our economy and society. Hilarie Bryce Davis, an adult educator with extensive experience designing on-line learning communities, discussed the implications for 'on-line learning' and how we might begin to build virtual learning communities. Jim MacNeil, an educational psychologist and training/educational consultant, presented his own unique view of the 21st century, one in which developing technology will have to be tempered with the best of what we have now in order to create a saner, kinder society.

Delegates also had the opportunity to take in a pre-conference session entitled "How to Work on Contract - Successfully" with Adrian Bohach. During the conference itself, a total of 36 breakaway sessions offered plenty of opportunity for further learning and discussion on a number of topics related to the theme.

Diane Osberg was this year's recipient of the Ray Jewison Memorial Award. For the past twenty years Diane has shared her many and varied talents with AACE, serving as Communications Coordinator, Newsletter Editor (twice), journal Editor, co-Chair of the Visions '89 conference, Board Secretary, VicePresident and President (twice). Her energy and vision have helped give AACE a sense of purpose and direction over the many years of her involvement, from which AACE has profited greatly.

The recipient of this year's Lifelong Learning Award was Gary Seymour, Dean of Community Education and Program Development at Medicine Hat College. Gary has worked at the college in a variety of roles over the past twenty years, has spearheaded the development of many innovative MHC programs and been known for being a strong advocate of the community council concept in Alberta. Gary continues to show his leadership and innovation through many community partnerships, and to share his valuable knowledge and expertise in a number of ways.

Dianne Conrad, re-elected as AACE's President for 1996, resigned this position at the June AACE Board Retreat. Dianne had been active in AACE for many years and served the Board as Director of Personnel, as well as President. While her contributions and dedications will be missed by the AACE Board, she will continue to be active on various Committees in the coming year. Dianne's resignation followed closely that of three other Board members: Jane Brenner (citing other conflicting professional commitments), Lloyd Quantz (who has moved in another professional direction recently), and Tara Fenwick (who has just accepted a full-time academic position in New Brunswick).

John Melicher, Executive Director of REDA and former AACE Board member, has gracious agreed to serve as President until the next Board elections in the spring of 1997. The other Board vacancies have been filled by Lynne Nieman (Claresholm), Reni Picton (Red Deer) and Maureen Motter-Hodgson (Calgary). The Current AACE Board of Directors are: John Melicher (President); Diane Osberg (Past President); Reni Picton (Vice-President); Karen Hesse (Secretary); Stephen Evans (Treasurer); Janet Elder (Director of Programs &,Services Unit); Lynne Nieman (Director of Personnel Unit); Faye Wiesenberg (Director of Communications & Liason Unit); Paul Little (Director of Advocacy Unit); and Maureen Motter-Hodgson (Director of Finance Unit). The AACE Secretariat will continue to be housed in the REDA offices, which will be moving (as of October 4th) to Suite 2210, 10403 172nd Street, Edmonton, Alberta TSS 1K9.

AACE and ADETA are collaborating once again to offer a Fall workshop entitled "Creating and Thriving in a Global Environment" which will take place at N.A.I.T. in Edmonton on October 25th. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd, Executive Director of Athabasca University's Centre for Innovative Management.

AACE will be sending two Board members to the Canadian Lifelong Learning Lyceum in Edmonton from September 29th to October 1, 1996. This event has been organized to create a Canadian perspective in lifelong learning which will provide the basis for Canada's presentations to the March, 1997, Second Global Conference on Lifelong Learning. Participants will be focusing particular attention on access, responsibility and funding issues. AACE members are invited to gather again for our own annual lifelong learning event at the annual spring conference in Kananaskis, from April 27th to 30th, 1997. Our theme will be "Leading Together: Fostering Success in a Diverse Learning Community".