AIBC Council Meeting Summary–January 16, 2017

At the January 16, 2017 council meeting, the AIBC Council dealt with the following items:

Council Motions

• Council approved Council Rules 6: Designation and Admission Qualifications for AIBC Associates, further to the notification period where members were invited to comment on the proposed rules. Council Rules are posted at aibc.ca.
• Council approved Bulletin 60: Signature, Seal and Delivery of Electronic Documents. First published in October 2009, the latest revisions do not impact any of the regulatory requirements. Instead, they provide clarity to syntax and have been updated to reflect current software and procedures. Refer to Bulletin 60, along with all AIBC Bulletins.
• Council approved the introduction of Council Policy 1.38.1 which will provide direction and accountability for the conferral of honorary membership. Read AIBC Council Policy.
• As part of its review of alternative pathways to registration, council continues to support the CACB BEFA program as a qualification for registration.

CEO Report

External Items

• Volunteer Recognition Ceremony, held in November, celebrated AIBC’s network of volunteers; awards were handed to Joe Y. Wai Architect AIBC for 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award; Sean Rodrigues Architect AIBC for the CEO Award for Exceptional Volunteer Service; Brian Sim Architect AIBC for the AIBC Award for Lifetime Volunteer Achievement. Read the event highlights.
• During the November CALA/International Relations Committee (IRC) meeting, it was agreed that after negotiations are concluded with Japan (likely 2018) no further efforts will be undertaken under the APEC Architect project because of all the participating APEC countries, only the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan have the ability to register foreign architects without the requirement for local collaboration.
• The AIBC opened its doors for the annual seasonal event. It featured the Art by Architects Silent Auction and Fundraising, organized by the RAIC Metro Vancouver Chapter and supported by the AIBC. More than $7,500 was raised, with partial proceeds from the auction going to the Architecture for Kids program put on by the Smith Foundation in conjunction with Artists for Kids.

Internal Items

• For the first time our membership has exceeded 2,000 registered architects; 2004 to be exact. The number of firms registered is 925.
• At the time of the meeting, one third of annual fees were submitted–thank you.
• More than 55 individuals applied for waivers in recognition of their Long-Standing Registration.
• The Intern Architect Committee held a very successful panel discussion and networking event in the fall, with more than 50 interns and students in attendance.
• Practice Note 17 was updated, effective December 2016, with hourly rates for principles and additional guidance on fees with respect to building code compliance.
• Practice Advisor Maura Gatensby Architect AIBC has been named to the provincial government’s Step Code Advisory Committee, the successor committee to the Energy Efficiency Advisory Working Group that developed the report to government on the introduction of the Step Code. Maura has also been appointed as the architectural representative on the CSA committee developing a new standard on Building Commissioning. She has also been reappointed to the BC Building Code Appeal Board. This is not an AIBC appointment, however meetings are held at the AIBC.
• The AIBC has endorsed HPO’s Building Envelope Guide for Houses Part 9–Residential Construction, with major input and guidance from AIBC members. The guide will be issued in January 2017.
• As of late December, 36 CES participants remain CES non-compliant for the 2014-2016 reporting period. The 31 Architects AIBC and 5 Architectural Technologists AIBC will be sent to Professional Conduct.
• A new Regulatory Authority section was posted on the website, complete with information and links to each of the associated regulatory documents. A revised Resources section better facilitates navigation and ease-of-access to frequently accessed documents.
• Call for Nominations for Honorary Membership of the AIBC has opened, deadline February 17. It has been an ongoing challenge to secure nominations so please consider submitting a nomination on behalf of the many worth candidates in the community.

Other Business

• Motions were also passed for AIBC council meeting minutes, committee changes, examination results and register amendments.
• Read adopted November 8 council meeting minutes.

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of AIBC Council is scheduled for March 14, 2017. It will be held at the AIBC office between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. For those interested in attending an AIBC Council Meeting, please confirm your attendance in advance by email to ttough@aibc.ca.