Ritchie W. McCloy Award <strong>for</strong> CAVolunteerism Goes to Susan K. BurnsBy Michelle McRae, EditorThe Ritchie W. McCloy Award <strong>for</strong> CA Volunteerism recognizes the value <strong>of</strong> a CA or non-CA’s contributions to the CA pr<strong>of</strong>ession, whether through an individualproject or a series <strong>of</strong> activities. In addition to their dedication to the pr<strong>of</strong>ession, award recipients must embody values such as openness, honesty, and generosity.If Susan Burns looksfamiliar, it’s probablybecause you’veseen her face in BeyondNumbers be<strong>for</strong>e—severaltimes in fact, becauseSusan served as a publicrepresentative on the<strong>Institute</strong>’s Council <strong>for</strong>seven years, contributing time and energy to thebetterment <strong>of</strong> the CA pr<strong>of</strong>ession.Susan was invited to join Council in 2001, thefinal year be<strong>for</strong>e the provincial governmentbegan appointing public representatives. She’dbeen brought to the attention <strong>of</strong> Council byReverend Bob Burrows, CA (Hon), who wasthen serving as a public representative himself.The two had a long-standing connectionthrough volunteerism.“There was a vacancy <strong>for</strong> a public rep andcouncil members were encouraged to suggestnames,” Bob recalls. “I had just learned thatSusan was stepping down from her positionwith the SFU Executive MBA Program. Havingworked with her on various committees andprojects, I believed she would make a greatcontribution to the <strong>ICABC</strong>. I am sure the<strong>Institute</strong> and the general public have benefitedenormously from her remarkable gifts duringthe past several years.”In joining Council, Susan was motivated bythe same impetus that has driven her involvementwith every organization: to help others effectand manage change.“I have an abiding passion <strong>for</strong> sound publicpolicy,” she told us back in 2005. “On Council,I try always to ask the question: ‘What is reallyin the best interest <strong>of</strong> the public?’”Look back now on her experience, Susanexplains why she stayed involved with Council<strong>for</strong> more than a full term.“Council was engaged in so many seminaland interesting issues—issues such as education,good governance, strategic planning, and harmonization,”she says. “It was fascinating to seeand be a part <strong>of</strong> this process. And in terms <strong>of</strong> thelevel <strong>of</strong> operation, I’d never seen an organizationso well run. There is great planning, but also openness to change and innovation.”While serving on Council, Susan also volunteered on the <strong>Institute</strong>’s Recruiting & Training TaskForce and the Task Force on the CA Life Cycle <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Learning, both <strong>of</strong> which set direction<strong>for</strong> the <strong>Institute</strong>, helping to position these issues nationally.Since 2008, the year she stepped down from Council, Susan has been serving on the <strong>Institute</strong>’sDiscipline Tribunal and on the board <strong>of</strong> governors <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Chartered</strong> Accountants Education Foundation.To all <strong>of</strong> these various endeavours, Susan brings a unique perspective, in<strong>for</strong>med by a truly diversebackground. She holds, <strong>for</strong> example, three post-secondary degrees: a bachelor <strong>of</strong> arts in home economicsfrom the University <strong>of</strong> BC (1968); a master <strong>of</strong> science in business administration (majoring in policyanalysis), also from UBC (1981); and a master <strong>of</strong> arts in theological studies from the Vancouver School<strong>of</strong> Theology (2006).Her employment history is equally diverse. Prior to her retirement in 2002, she served <strong>for</strong> 11 years as theexecutive director <strong>of</strong> the Executive MBA Program (EMBA) <strong>for</strong> the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Business Administration atSimon Fraser University (Harbour Centre). During her tenure, she successfully planned and introduceda weekend EMBA program; built a new <strong>of</strong>fice team to manage the two EMBA programs from onedowntown location; initiated curriculum updating and course revision; and managed the applicationreview and credential assessment <strong>of</strong> EMBA applicants.Prior to her role with the EMBA program, Susan worked in a number <strong>of</strong> different fields. This includedworking as a consultant in strategic planning and marketing, providing advice to pr<strong>of</strong>essional organizationsand educational institutions, and as a sessional lecturer <strong>for</strong> both UBC and SFU. At UBC, she also servedas director <strong>of</strong> the real estate division <strong>for</strong> the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Commerce and Business Administration in 1988.Susan’s resume also includes several years with VanCity Savings Credit Union, during which sheserved as manager <strong>of</strong> planning, research, and development, and oversaw the management and administration<strong>of</strong> an 11-person department. Her work be<strong>for</strong>e VanCity included five years on the board <strong>of</strong>examiners with the Canada Land Surveyors, a one-year term as the alderman <strong>of</strong> the City <strong>of</strong> Whitehorse,and a four-year stint as a radio commentator with CBC Radio in the Yukon.Susan’s volunteer activities have been extensive. Prior to volunteering with the <strong>Institute</strong>, she served onthe board <strong>of</strong> directors <strong>of</strong> the Vancouver Chapter <strong>of</strong> the International Society <strong>for</strong> Planning and StrategicManagement, and participated in annual conferences hosted by the EMBA Council.Passionate about her faith, Susan is a past board member <strong>of</strong> the Contemplative Society, an inclusivenon-pr<strong>of</strong>it association that encourages a deepening <strong>of</strong> contemplative prayer, and a past coordinator <strong>of</strong>Living Presence, a centering prayer and spiritual growth group. Her longest-standing commitment,however, has been to the United Church, both at the provincial and national levels. This has includedserving on the executive committee <strong>of</strong> the Division <strong>of</strong> Finance at the national level; as a member <strong>of</strong> theCamping Committee and the Camp Fircom Society; and as chair <strong>of</strong> the Staff Model Review Team <strong>for</strong>the BC Conference Office. She also served <strong>for</strong> many years as a member <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ficial board <strong>for</strong>Dunbar Heights United Church. Today, she continues to serve on both the Finance Advisory Counciland the Grants Committee <strong>of</strong> the BC Conference Office.“I’ve been given a lot <strong>of</strong> wonderful opportunities in my life,” Susan says. “Working with the <strong>Institute</strong>is one <strong>of</strong> them. CAs have such integrity—they work so hard, but they also like to have fun. I’ve reallyfound <strong>Institute</strong> volunteers to be a delightful group.”Photo by Vincent L. Chan <strong>of</strong> Invisionation Photography.The Ritchie W. McCloy Award provides a cash prize to the recipient’s charity <strong>of</strong> choice,courtesy <strong>of</strong> the Vancouver Foundation. Susan has chosen the Camp Fircom Society.16 ica.bc.ca June/Summer ’09
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