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“In November 2016, the new Societies Act came into effect in British Columbia. It provided clarity regarding types of societies. This clarity helped the Partnership define its identity as the hub for a convening for action network. The Partnership is not, and cannot be, a member-funded society. The reason is that The Partnership is funded mostly by government and provides services to government. The Directors are empowered to create non-voting categories of membership and to date have created four categories,” stated Ted van der Gulik.

“Although the Partnership is a non-for-profit legal entity, the Board of Directors is guided by a vision for creating a collaborative network. We are not building a conventional organization. The difference in visions is fundamental.  The network is a foundation piece for succession planning. The network is the ultimate source of strength of the Partnership because the network holds the key to intergenerational collaboration. It is how we build bridges of understanding and pass the baton from the past to the present and future,” states Derek Richmond.

Ray Fung had a longstanding role in local government. Prior to retirement, he was the Director of Engineering & Transportation with the District of West Vancouver, a position he held for 12 years. Ray is a founding member of The Partnership. He previously chaired two of the Partnership’s original incarnations, namely: the Water Sustainability Committee of the BCWWA (2003-2008) and the BC Green Infrastructure Partnership (2008-2011).

Emanuel Machado is the Chief Resiliency Officer of the Town of Gibsons, BC and the Chair of the Municipal Natural Assets Initiative. He led the development of the Town’s Eco-Assets Strategy, a first in North America to formally recognize the role of nature as a fundamental component of the municipal infrastructure system, leading to a greater understanding of the value of ecosystems services and improved financial and operational management plans of the community’s natural assets.

Eric’s engineering career, over 5 decades, has included involvement on a diverse range of water related projects. He is a former Director in both the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Municipal Affairs where he was responsible for floodplain management and infrastructure programs, respectively. Eric was tasked with implementing the provincial Urban Salmon Habitat Program (USHP) in 1989, involving the development of partnerships with local governments, federal fisheries and community stewards.

“We continue to influence practitioners with thought provoking truths: use and conservation of land are equal values; healthy human settlement systems and ecological systems are inter-dependent; and, settlement in balance with ecology can lead to enduring prosperity. We make available tools and support services that enable practitioners to focus on water sustainability as an essential form maker of our communities,” states Tim Pringle.

“This event marks the 10th year we have been recognizing and celebrating public service achievements that have made real differences in people’s lives,” said Premier Christy Clark. “I wanted to find a special way to honour individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to British Columbia. Now the Hall of Excellence is the highest form of recognition public service employees can strive for.”

An advocate of the “top down bottom up” principle of engagement, Tim Pringle has been a consistent champion for local involvement and recognizes the value of stewardship groups and community groups in working towards a common vision based upon universal values.

Known for his initiative and creative ideas and that invaluable quality of recognizing the limitations of government policy, Ted van der Gulik has always been prepared within the system to ‘think outside the pipe’ and find solutions for the common good, and as a result, has provided an incredible public service to British Columbia.

Tim Pringle is a Founding Director and the first President. He was Executive Director of the Real Estate Foundation from its founding in 1988 until 2008. In 2010, Tim Pringle was the inaugural winner of the Land Champion Award for British Columbia.