President’s Report / Rapport du président

Abstract

dx.doi.org/10.5623/cig2015-405 GEOMATICA 381 Good day! As we slip into Canadian winter, I am wishing everyone all the best and to enjoy the benefits of being a CIG member. At our last Council and Executive meetings, which took place coincident with the very successful UAV conference hosted by Toronto Branch under the guidance of Dr. Costas Armenakis and his enthusiastic and capable vol un teers, we had considered and vig orous discussions concerning our future directions. In order to fill vacancies in suc ces sion, Dr. Rodolphe Devillers of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador agreed to step in as acting vice president. In addition, I am con tin uing as president until a suitable candidate steps forward or agrees to be nominated. We have now joined GeoAlliance Canada as a founding member, so as to continue in our role of being the lead organization supporting the science of geomatics. Furthermore, we have started to make moves to re-invigorate our links with our brethren west of Ontario whose branches are intact, but who have been dormant for a while. This brings me to the need for everyone, whether student, corporate or regular member, to do what you can to support this valuable institution of which you are an important part. Dues are the financial lifeblood of this organization and we need your support now. Since the Renaissance, it has been proven that communication between thinkers and doers is the most effective way to advance human knowledge, and geomatics is no different. What we pro vide is a valuable forum for both the formal and informal exchange of ideas in our field with learned papers, con fer ences and participation in multilateral and international organizations. We are the de facto representative for Canada at both FIG as well as ISPRS and we need to maintain our membership dues at these organizations. Lucie Lebrun-Ginn and Laura Duke have been providing stalwart support to CIG and Geomatica along with the volunteers. They need your support to continue, as there is no magic grant from the public sector. Geomatics is one of the most immediately relevant branches of science in today’s society, so in order for CIG to remain equally relevant, we are making changes to enhance the value of your membership and in return, ask for your support as soon as possible to keep this great organization going for another 130 years. Looking forward to your enthusiastic support.