George Kenneth Allred

Ladies and Gentlemen: It is a distinct pleasure to stand before you this day, and present my remarks in support of the nominee for this prestigious award. My role is to present the background of the nominee and provide a touch of nostalgia. My credentials are that of a member of Council, vice-president, President and Past President of the Alberta Land Surveyors' Association during that period of time that the Association committed itself to full time paid employees; and, in today's language, went "big time."

G. Kenneth Allred was born in South Western Alberta. Formal education began in Waterton Park, through Mountain View and Red Deer, a touch of Engineering at the University of Alberta, and graduation from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. His involvement in continuing education throughout the years is mind-boggling as student, organizer, and resource person.

Prior to his employment by the Association, Ken spent 16 or 17 years in several surveying related occupations ranging from field work with Highways and major consultants in Edmonton and Red Deer, City Surveyor with the City of Red Deer, with Assistant Surveyor and Surveyor to the Land Titles Office in Edmonton as his last stop prior to his commitment to the Association. This hands-on experience provided him with a strong experience base to support his activities with the Association.

During the early 1970s it became apparent to the Council of Management that the workload of the Secretary-Treasurer had grown beyond the capacity of any part-time individual, and that a major decision must be made by the members. Referring to the 1974-1975 Secretary's Report "One hundred and forty-two articled pupils were recorded as actively pursuing their careers." This student activity was in response to Association efforts to upgrade the entry requirements, long standing students were given the option to complete their examinations within a deadline. Failure to do so would require writing under a new syllabus. Mr. Reg Watson, Past President, was assigned the task of conducting a feasibility study to determine a solution to our problems.

In summary, Resolution #10 was passed by the Annual General Meeting of April 1976, tabling the results of a management study and instructing Council to initiate action. The mid 1970s were, in comparison to the past decade, busy times for land surveyors. Bid requests from clients were almost unheard of and most purchasers of survey services were grateful for a return call. In this environment, the selection committee received only three replies, none of whom totally satisfied all the criteria set out for the position.

In my President's remarks at the 1977 Annual General Meeting, I apologized to the membership that the mandate of Resolution #10 was as yet unfulfilled. We had however, hired a very competent young lady as an office assistant to our incumbent. Our alternative, rather than mass circulation for the Secretary-Treasurer position, would be to try the direct approach to Association members.

The Selection Committee had the following qualifications in mind: an individual with strong administrative skills to handle, specifically, the massive load of articled students; an individual with a vision for the future of the Association -a builder; and an individual with strong communication skills, a capacity for dialogue, and a capacity for detail.

The end result was that in November of 1977, G. Kenneth Allred left the security of the Land Titles Office to test the unknown administrative and economic waters as the first permanent Secretary-Treasurer and Registrar of the Alberta Land Surveyors' Association. His efforts on behalf of the Association at the provincial and national levels during his tenure will be reviewed by the nominator. Mr. Hunter, please.

Thank you John, for Ken's background. It is important, especially for younger members, to receive an outline of Ken's activities before becoming the Executive Director of our Association in 1977. This broad background of experience and education coupled with his drive for excellence is always evident in Ken's input on committees, work in Association affairs, decisions, and in the numerous articles written by him.

I will now provide you with the reasons we have selected Ken for the Alberta Land Surveyor's Professional Recognition Award. We consider this award, that is, recognition by one's peers for professional excellence, to be the highest honour that can be bestowed on anyone.

Ken did not invent a new technical device to make surveying easier or better, nor did he undertake and complete a large project to achieve notoriety. Ken's contribution to our profession was, and continues to be, in the academic arena to develop, through education, a professional surveyor dedicated to serve in the best public interest.

Ken is one of the greatest advocates for a solid professional background for new surveyors and for continuous professional education for members. He practices what he preaches in this regard as can be witnessed from following his own professional development career. I present to you what we consider a few of the more significant contributions. At one time or another he has either served, provided advice or guidance on every committee the Alberta Land Surveyors' Association has put together in the past 20 years; he has assisted with cadastral studies courses at the University of Alberta; he is well known for his relentless attempts over this entire career of improving the professional image of the Association in general, and the individual member in particular; he is always willing to create, assist, and support all continuing education seminars, cadastral studies at the University of Alberta, and upgrading of the cadastral component of the University of Calgary; he has willingly dedicated whatever time necessary for student guidance; he has given his continuing assistance to the surveying profession by writing informative and educational articles in ALS News; he has provided assistance to the surveying profession by conducting research into court decisions related to the surveying profession and translating "legalese" into understandable words; he is the author of numerous papers on survey matters and contributed a chapter to the Survey Law Text.

These examples are provided to provide an insight into what one man has done in his unquenchable thirst to assist in the professional development of others. Furthermore, these tasks have, and are being performed with zeal and the appearance of enjoyment; however, we know these accomplishments are a matter of self discipline, integrity, and hard work.

Ken has left an unparalleled professional development course as a legacy which can be found between the covers of ALS News for current and new members to master.

It is our opinion, through the aforementioned activities, Ken has made a large and lasting contribution in the enhancement of the land surveyor's image in the eyes of the public and provided the information necessary for individual professional perfection. We trust you will concur, that these activities and attitudes make George Kenneth Allred worthy and deserving of this year's Professional Recognition Award.

Engraved on this award are the words, "Perseverance, intellect and idealism towards developing a dynamic professional association, serving in the best public interest," which we believe exemplifies our impression of your dedication to our Association.

G. Ken Allred