What is the role of the public members?

Public members are appointed by either the government minister responsible for professions or the Lieutenant Governor in Council to serve on professional associations.

Public members play an important role in serving the broad public interest. As non-members of the profession, they bring an objective viewpoint to the table and ensure that the interests of the average Albertan are represented at profession association meetings and hearings.

As full voting members on decision-making bodies, public members actively participate in the day-to-day governance of a professional association, where their job is to ensure that the decision-making process is fair, equitable and just.

Broadly speaking, public members are appointed to professional associations by the Alberta government to represent and safeguard the public interest. Regulated professional associations, together with the profession they represent, must not operate as “private member” clubs. Instead they must be accountable to all Albertans, to their members, and to the provincial government. Their activities must be seen to be open and transparent.

Individual appointments are for a three-year period with the possible extension for another three years. The length of term varies according to each Act. However, public members must only serve for a maximum of six years.

As stated previously, the role of public members on regulated professional associations is one of public service. The Alberta government pays for the costs of performing these duties. Public members are reimbursed for travel and related meeting expenses. In addition, the government provides an honorarium for the time spent by public members at meetings, hearings, etc.

Russ Barnes serves as the public member on the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association Council and Rudy Palovcik serves as public member on the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association Practice Review Board.