History

The SKCDA was formed in 2015 to fill a need in Saskatchewan for a common hub to connect Career Development Practitioners working in diverse locations and sectors (e.g., education, non-profit, business, government) throughout the province.

• Since January 2015, a team of committed individuals has been collaborating to build and grow an inclusive provincial association.
• The Saskatchewan Career Development Association, Inc. (SKCDA) was established as a non-profit corporation on July 23, 2015.
• The First General Meeting was hosted at the University of Regina in April 2016. Participants from around the province attended. This meeting focused on organizational development, and nine committees were formed at that time.

Startup

• In 2015, Charlene McLean, along with Susan McKay, Lidija Spasic and Jennifer Broughton, spearheaded an initiative that resulted in formally establishing an inclusive members association for Career Development Practitioners in Saskatchewan.

• In addition to providing a support network for those in the field, establishing a provincial association opened the door to joining the Canadian Council for Career Development (CCCD), the national umbrella group and voice of Career Development associations and partner groups across the country.
• Previous dedicated leaders and practitioners in the field prepared the groundwork for this initiative, through earlier collaborations and research - examples include the Saskatchewan Career Sector Study: Final Report (2006), produced by the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF) for the Saskatchewan and District Industry Education Council.
• Initial team activities focussed on reviewing research, documents and websites for Career Development Associations across Canada, and consulting with representatives of the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF), as well as other established provincial associations (Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia).

Incorporation & Early Organizational Development

• In July 2015, Information Services Corporation (ISC) certified the Saskatchewan Career Development Association, Inc. as a non-profit corporation, with Charlene McLean as the founding Director, and Susan McKay, Jennifer Broughton and Lidija Spasic as Incorporators.

• In September 2015, Charlene McLean stepped down from the Director position, and a request for a Change of Directors was accepted by ISC for three new Directors - Susan McKay, Jennifer Broughton and Lidija Spasic, who formed the Founding Board of Directors.

First Meetings & Committees

• The First General Meeting (GM) was held on April 8, 2016 at the University of Regina’s Career Centre, with remote access for members to participate from around the province.
• During 2016, three more GMs were held, to continue activities for early organizational development.

• The First Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on December 16, 2016 in two locations (YWCA Saskatoon and the University of Regina Career Centre), with remote access provided by teleconference.
• Both on-site locations, along with teleconference and/or Zoom technologies, have been utilized since this time in order to make every SKCDA meeting accessible to all Members.

Into the Future

• The SKCDA invites new Members to join and contribute to the development of a productive and useful association for Career Development Practitioners.

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