Volunteers Sought for EDIT&R Working Group
Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s new Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Truth and Reconciliation (EDIT&R) Working Group is now accepting volunteer applications, with the inaugural meeting scheduled for mid-June.
The EDIT&R Working Group will work collaboratively with Engineers and Geoscientists BC staff to support organizational Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Truth and Reconciliation (T&R) efforts with a focus on engagement, education, and impact. It will explore challenges faced by registrants in the practice of engineering and geoscience relating to EDI and T&R, and work to enhance visibility and voice underrepresented groups.Some of the functions of the EDIT&R Working Group include:
- Helping Engineers and Geoscientists BC provide educational opportunities that clarify its organizational role relating to EDI and T&R.
- Supporting Engineers and Geoscientists BC in its actions to support registrants in adopting EDI & T&R lenses in their practices.
- Supporting the creation of resources, initiatives, and strategic actions by contributing their expertise and diverse perspectives during the development phase of these items.
- Bringing relevant topics and issues relating to EDI and T&R in engineering and geoscience to the attention of Engineers and Geoscientists BC for discussion and consideration.
- Reviewing applicable professional practice guidelines, quality management standards, and guides and providing suggestions for amendments, updates, and revisions.
The unique structure of the EDIT&R Working Group allows volunteers to participate at different levels depending on their capacity. Registrants who are interested in learning more about EDI and T&R but are limited in time to volunteer can sign up as a member of the EDIT&R volunteer pool to stay informed. Registrants who are passionate about these issues and want to make a difference within the professions can sign up as a member of the EDIT&R executive committee.
The decision to develop the EDIT&R Working Group came in 2023 after significant evaluation of Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s programs and activities as it worked to integrate the requirements of the Professional Governance Act (PGA) into its operations.
As part of this evaluation, it was determined that the Engineers and Geoscientists BC Women in Engineering and Geoscience Division and the 30 by 30 Champions group would be modified to create the new EDIT&R Working Group. This transition is a step in Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s EDI and T&R journey, recognizing that the range of equity-deserving groups goes beyond women. The EDIT&R Working Group is a more inclusive approach to advancing EDI and T&R in the professions.
To learn more about the EDIT&R Working Group, or to apply, visit the volunteer posting.