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MANUAL
NBIA TODAY
View & Download the 2021 NBIA Manuel
The Agrologists Act of 1960 established the Institute to operate as a non-profit organization with legal, professional status. Since that time it has been responsible for ensuring that all those who are practicing agrology are competent and act in a professional manner.
In the 1980's it became apparent that the original NBIA Act, passed in 1960 and amended in 1978 and 1984, was becoming outdated and no longer provided the Institute with the powers required to protect both the Institute members and the public from unqualified persons practicing Agrology. This was discussed periodically until 1998 when a committee was established to begin the preparations for a revised act and by-laws. This committee was chaired by Christa Flanagan P. Ag. with members Pamela Allen-LeBlanc P. Ag., Petra Loro P. Ag., John Argall P. Ag., Evans Estabrooks P. Ag., Kevin McKendy P. Eng., P. Ag., Michael Dillon P. Ag., and Raymond Scovil P. Ag.
In February 2002 they presented a plan to a special meeting of the Institute and were approved to proceed to prepare a revised Act. David Norman Q. C. of Cox Hanson O'Reilly Matheson was engaged as legal counsel. The major discussion at the next meeting was whether the NBIA was to be a professional organization with the ability to protect its members and the public or just a social club. The meeting decided that even though there would be considerable cost involved, the Institute must have the abilities that would be provided by a revised Act in order to continue to operate effectively. The major issues addressed in the revisions were clarification of membership requirements, definitions, power to discipline and enforce the act and code of ethics and to better manage the affairs of the Institute.
In February 2002 a draft act was presented to the membership for comments and three special meetings were held in Fredericton, Perth-Andover and Moncton to allow members to have input. Final amendments were made and the Council was authorized to proceed to have the new act approved by the legislature at the annual general meeting in April 2002.
The presentation of the Act in the legislature was delayed in 2003 due to an election. It was presented in the legislature by Kirk MacDonald MLA in the spring of 2004 and was passed and given Royal Assent on 28 May, 2004. The new Act became effective on the 30th September, 2004.
In anticipation of the legislative approval of the new Act, a committee was established in September 2002 to prepare revised by-laws. The committee was initially chaired by Greg Sweetland P. Ag. When he became Institute President the chair was assumed by Michael Dillon P. Ag. Membership changed over the years, including at various times Christa Flanagan P. Ag., Pamela Allen-LeBlanc P. Ag., Evans Estabrooks P. Ag., Jérôme Damboise P. Ag., and Charles Briggs P. Ag. A draft was reviewed by Council in January 2003 and revisions were made. The final draft was presented to the membership in the fall of 2004 and with minor revisions was approved at a special general meeting of the membership in September 2004. It became effective with the new Act on the 30th September, 2004. The new by-laws reflect the many changes to management structure and administrative procedures provided for in the new Act while no longer considering many items which were moved from the previous by-laws into the new act.
Membership in NBIA provides both opportunities and challenges in serving the profession of agriculture through:
· Participation in programs to benefit the agriculture and food industry;
· Development of the professional skills of members in the practice of their profession;
These roles are accomplished by:
· Meeting presentations on pertinent topics;
· Issue-analysis groups to critically examine issues and make recommendations to appropriate public organizations;
· Education programs for the professional development of members and recognition of achievements;
· Information activities for the benefit and information of members, the agriculture and food industry, and the general public.
The range of NBIA activities encompasses all segments of the agriculture and food system, including energy, land use, conservation, plant and animal science, agricultural business, marketing, as well as consumer and social concerns.
Advantages of membership in NBIA include the legal status of a professional and the entitlement to use the designation P.Ag. (Professional Agrologist); opportunity to interact with other professional; assists with career development; contribute to policy formation and improvement of the agriculture industry; improve knowledge and proficiency through professional development; increase communications among agrologists; as well as personal benefits such as insurances and discounts.