A.Ag Process
Articling Agrologist Process
- Objectives
- BCIA Responsibilities
- Branch Responsibilities
- Articling Agrologist Responsibilities
- Mentor Responsibilities
The Articling Agrologist (A.Ag) Program for BCIA
1. Objectives of the A.Ag Program
· to provide an introduction into the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists and to encourage active membership and participation in branch and provincial affairs
· to offer an opportunity to learn and gain an appreciation for the responsibilities and ethics of being an Agrologist
· to encourage the continuing professional development of the individual
2. BCIA Responsibilities
The Registrar and Credentials Committee will process new applications and have these decisions ratified at the earliest Council meeting. The applicants and Branch executives are then notified.
Articling Agrologists will be directed to the website (www.bcia.com) to obtain a copy of the Agrologists Act, bylaws, the code of ethics and an outline of the activities required to be completed during the A.Ag term.
3. Branch Responsibilities
The branch is encouraged to have a member assigned to administer the branch Articling Agrologist program. This person will contact the new A.Ag and will work with the A.Ag and the Registrar to select a suitable mentor to guide and encourage the new member and confirm that the A.Ag completes the requirements of the program. The A.Ag program is for a period of two years and is the responsibility of the local branch.
A mentor’s report must be sent to the Registrar prior to the Articling Agrologist gaining Professional Agrologist (P.Ag) status. This report must confirm that appropriate work and professional development experience has been completed and contain a recommendation that the Articling Agrologist gain professional status.
4. Articling Agrologist Responsibilities
Following acceptance as a member, the new Articling Agrologist will receive a letter from the Registrar:
- conveying the Articling Agrologist designation
- specifiying the minimum length of the A.Ag term
- outlining the requirements for participation in both the A.Ag and Continuing Professional Development programs
- requesting that the A.Ag suggests a mentor to the A.Ag coordinator for the Branch and the Registrar
- outlining the expectation that the A.Ag. term should be completed within a maximum of four years
- enclosing a journal that will be used to document the activities and meetings during the A.Ag. term, including a checklist and signature page confirming completiion on each activity.
During the A.Ag program the A.Ag will be required to complete the following:
- Attend a Branch Annual General Meeting
- Attend a BCIA provincial Annual General Meeting
- Provide a brief oral report to a branch meeting on their academic background, field of specialization and current employment
- Record continuing professional development activities in the journal using the professional development recording form and submit the professional development declaration form with the payment of their annual fees
- Spend the designated A.Ag term working in the field of agrology
- Attend an articling agrologist workshop or workshops containing two components. The first being a professionalism workshop focusing on the Profession of Agrology and other professional organizations. The second being an ethics workshop at which the ethics of professionalism will be discussed using case studies.
- Near the end of the A.Ag term the A.Ag will prepare a written review of their professional development during the A.Ag program and project that forward. The review will include:
- An articulation of the member's current area of practice within the scope of the agrology profession
- A discussion of current issues and potential ethical challenges within the member's areas of practice in British Columbia
- A documentation of their work experience and responsibilities within agrology
- An overview (possibly a diagram) of key elements of the member's "professional network" within the member's area of practice where dialogue and communication needs to be maintained and/or fostered.
- A one year strategy for continuing professional development
- Comments on how the A.Ag program has met their needs as an aspiring professional and suggest how the A.Ag program can be improved
- This review is anticipated to be 1000 to 1500 words in length.
At the conclusion of the A.Ag program the A.Ag must arrange for submission of the following to the Registrar:
- The mentor's letter of recommendation for professional designation that includes:
- Transmittal of the completed A.Ag program checklist from the journal
- Transmittal of the A.Ag program review
- Confirmation of the period of professional work experience as stipulated in the initial letter conveying A.Ag status
- Confirmation of current employment in the field of agrology
- Two letters of reference regarding the A.Ag's work in agrology (in addition to that of the mentor) that confirms:
- His/her area of practice
- That his/her work experience during the A.Ag term was undertaken in an ethical manner
- The technical expertise of A.Ag
- That the work was completed to an acceptable level
- These letters can be submitted from the A.Ag's supervisor, clients, or other registered professionals in good standing.
Once all of the requirements have been met and the information submitted, the Registrar will recommend Professional Agrologist designation to the member.
5. Mentor Responsibilities
The mentor will encourage attendance at meetings and participation in branch activities or governance and generally provide support for the new member. They will invite, introduce and welcome the new member to branch activities. The mentor will review and clarify the material and subject matter in the Agrologists Act, bylaws, code of ethics, code of practice and other relevant material. In addition they will assist the A.Ag in identifying and undertaking professional development activities that may prove useful to the member in their area of practice. The mentor will provide verification signatures for those activities or events of which he/she has personal knowledge of the A.Ag attendance and provide a final recommendation regarding elevation to P.Ag status for the member.
Tips for Mentors
· establish regular contact with the Articling Agrologist (A.Ag)
· be open and frank and avoid being judgmental
· assist the A.Ag to network
· respect confidentiality
· keep working with the A.Ag until communication “happens”
