The ASTSBC Executive Committee, similar to a Board of Directors,
is comprised of the President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President,
Secretary-Treasurer, Past President and one (1) Zone Representative
from each of the five zones (Northern, Kootenay, Okanagan, Fraser
Valley, and Vancouver Island) and one (1) Suppliers' Representative
to be a spokesperson for the all the suppliers, vendors, and manufacturers.
The Table Officers of the Executive are elected by all eligible
members attending the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the convention.
The Zone Reps are chosen by their respective zones in a zone meeting
prior to the AGM.
Zone meetings are the venue for members
to bring up topics and discuss problems and share experiences to
help others facing similar situations. If an issue requires a provincial
action by all members, it is brought up by the Zone Rep at the Executive
Committee meetings. There are generally two zone meetings each year.
Executive Committee meetings are where the future agendas
and directions of the Association are discussed and pursued. Examined
and researched in great depth are topics brought forward by the
Zone Reps from their regional meetings. These are diligently investigated
with appropriate agencies until resolved or proven unsolvable for
the time being. The Executive Committee serves as a link to counterparts
in other provinces, various regulatory agencies, the provincial
government, school bus industry suppliers, manufacturers, associations,
etc. It also sends representatives regularly to industry conferences
in other provinces, the US and at the national level so that it
can provide up-to-date information to the membership. Providing
access to professional development programs is another important
undertaking of the Executive.
A significant amount of the
Executive Committee's time and effort is expended in organizing
the annual convention. As well as providing the industry's perspective
at meetings, the Suppliers' Rep plays a crucial role in the coordination
and success of the trade show component of the convention. The annual
convention is essential to the survival of the Association because
it is a venue where new developments are unveiled, experiences and
ideas are exchanged, new friendships are made and old ones are renewed.
A successful convention is one which attendees leave feeling they
have learned something new, found some answers to their problems,
discovered their problems are not unique to them and, they have
helped someone else by sharing. In short, they feel assured that
together they are doing their best to get their precious passengers
to their destinations and safely back home.
The Executive
Committee meetings are held twice annually at a location which is
cost-effective and convenient for all. When warranted for special
issues, executive meetings may take the form of conference calls
rather than costly meetings.
Membership fees help defray
the cost of both Executive Committee and Zone meetings.