PROFILES
engineering at the elementary and high school levels,” he explains. “Students have to make major curriculum decisions going into Grade 9 for pure math and pure science streams that ultimately lead to post-secondary training in geoscience and engineering, so it is important to create the interest at a young age.” One of the highlights of his science outreach volunteer work was his role as Co-chair and Project Manager for the Canada- Wide Science Fair, which came to Lethbridge in 2013. SATC and the University of Lethbridge agreed to take on the event when the original host city backed out. They had only 12 months to prepare for the week-long event, which normally takes four years to plan. “It was a very intense but satisfying experience.” Tasks included recruiting 675 volunteers, including 400 judges, and fundraising $300,000 for expenses. Fundraising and volunteer recruitment were a new experience for him, but the community stepped up. “I was also fortunate to have the strong support of the management team at Stantec for this significant commitment,” he says. He drew on his project management skills — developed over his engineering career — to achieve success and create an amaz- ing experience for nearly 500 young competitors. Just like a typical engineering project, it was all about turning a concept and vision into reality.
As well as being a leader supporting his profession, Mr. Bellamy has also been an active supporter of other community- focused organizations. He has volunteered with the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and the Lethbridge County Airport Advisory Board, and chaired the Lethbridge Heart of Our City Downtown Committee. He and his wife, Bev, also support the Streets Alive Mission, the Lethbridge Symphony Young Artist Competition, and to help children in developing countries, Compassion Canada. He encourages other APEGA Members to volunteer and make an impact in their own communities. “That’s intrinsic to what being a professional means — it’s about protecting and serving society through our practice and community service,” says Mr. Bellamy. And, as he points out, most APEGA Members are already doing just that. “Our impact as APEGA Members is certainly significant economically, but there are also thousands of APEGA volunteers who are making daily contributions to the cultural and social fabric of their community.”
SUMMARY OF MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS • APEGA Community Service Summit Award (2014)
• Honouree, Award for Excellence In Science and Technology Public Awareness, Alberta Science and Technology Foundation (2013) • Alberta Science Network, Board Member (2013–present) • Canada-Wide Science Fair, Lethbridge, Project Manager and Co- Chair (2013) • Lethbridge Heart of Our City Downtown Committee, Member and Chair, (2009–present) • Lethbridge Regional Science Fair and APEGA Science Olympics, Chair (2003–present) • Southern Alberta Technology Council, Board Member (2003-present) and Director (2006-2014) • Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, Board Member (2002–2013) • Lethbridge County Airport Advisory Board (2000–2004) • APEGA Member (1990–present) • APEGA Lethbridge Branch Executive (1990–2014) Who are your biggest influences and inspirations? I was fortunate to have two excellent mentors early in my career — Dale Miller, P. Eng., FEC, FGC (Hon.), and Dave Chalcroft, P.Eng. FEC., FGC (Hon.), who were actively involved in APEGA, technical associations and their community. Both have served as APEGA President. My wife, Bev, and sons, Allen, Shaun, and Aaron, are my inspiration. They have always supported me and many times were volunteered to actively participate in my various activities. Also inspiring and transformational is the spark, passion, and enquiry of young students, who are excited about math and science, and proudly presenting their science fair projects or learning about what APEGA Members do.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Q+A What does it mean to you to receive the Meritorious Service Award for Community Service? I was honoured and humbled to receive this significant award, as Engineers Canada represents over 280,000 Professional Engineers across Canada, many of whom are actively involved in their community. Personally, and maybe typically as an APEGA Member, I’m more comfortable working in the background and the reward is a job well done. Receiving this award is important, if it can help motivate and inspire other Members and showcase to society the social and community contribution of our Members. This fall, it’s possible that some of the students who’ve taken part in these science outreach programs over the years may be enrolling in the University of Lethbridge Engineering Transfer program. After being on hiatus, the program is being reinstated, and Mr. Bellamy is a volunteer on the advisory board, an active liaison with the local engineering community and instrumental in fundraising for entrance scholarships. The program is close to his heart. When he returned to university as a mature student to study engineering in 1983, after working several years as an engineering technician and surveyor for Stanley Associates (now Stantec), he took his first year at U of L before transferring to the University of Alberta to complete his B.Sc. in civil engineering.
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