CWA News

The voice of the welding industry in Canada
November 2007

CWA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

On October 15, CWA held a Board of Directors meeting and its 2007 Annual General Meeting. The prime topic was the future relationship between the CWA and the CWB Group.

Last May, members approved a merger between CWA and CWB Group by an 89% majority. The meetings of October 15 put some structure to the joining of the two groups.

Most of the day was spent in discussion of the future relationship between the two organizations. The major portion of the discussion related to Doug Luciani’s presentation to the Board meeting. Some of the key points included:

• The relationship must take the form of an acquisition because two not-for-profit organizations cannot merge.
• The CWB Group would acquire the CWA national body.
• Each chapter would be associated with the national body through a separate affiliation agreement that would ensure benefits for members and chapters, as well as chapter autonomy.
• CWA would develop a chapter affiliation agreement that chapters would agree to individually, prior to the CWB Group’s acquisition of the CWA national body.
• CWA members would vote again on the proposed structure once the affiliation agreements were in place.
• Assuming that vote was in favour, the CWB Group would acquire CWA National.

March 31, 2008, is the target date to have the chapter affiliation agreements in place.

Development of the chapter affiliation agreements will be driven by a process that ensures that all stakeholders in the association – individual and corporate members, chapters, the CWB Group and the Canadian welding community – will derive benefits and value from the acquisition. Chapters would remain independent bodies.

The process will be led by the CWA’s executive committee and involve all Board members. Members of CWA will be kept up to date on a regular basis.

For the complete story, visit the Canadian Welding Association’s website after November 5 to review the minutes of the meetings, the presentations and the reports.

CANADIAN WELDING ASSOCIATION JOURNAL

We have just sent the fall 2007 issue of the Canadian Welding Association Journal to the printer. It will be in the mail within two weeks. There are articles on welding of rails, productivity, oxyfuel cutting and narrow-gap GMAW processes.

The theme for the next issue will be tower crane fabrication, which we have extended to include some related structural welding. If you have an article or know an appropriate author, let us know now. The editorial deadline is December 1, 2007.

CWA JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Several employment opportunities for practitioners, salespeople and engineers have been posted to our website. Check them out online.

CORRECTION TO THE TORONTO CHAPTER DIRECTORY — BOC ADDRESSES

During 2007, two of the three Toronto-based BOC stores moved locations. The correct addresses are:

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