AIBC Council Meeting Summary–May 2, 2017

At the May 2, 2017 council meeting (the last meeting of the 2016/2017 council), the following items were discussed:

Council Motions

• Council approved the updated Council Policy 1.31 Professional Conduct: Complaints and Investigations and 1.32 Professional Conduct: Consensual Resolution and Disciplinary Inquiry. The policies reflect the new Investigations and Discipline bylaws, approved by members in late 2016.
• Scott Kemp Architect AIBC was appointed by council to sit on the AIBC Investigations Committee.
• Revised Council Rules 7: Advisory Design Panels were approved. The promoted, 30-day notification period yielded no feedback from members. This outcome was anticipated as the rules are an effort to strengthen and align the duties and responsibilities of AIBC registrants who serve on advisory design panels.
• Council approved Council Policy 2.24 regarding AIBC representation at CALA. The policy enshrines council’s process for succession and attendance of council president or designate at CALA meetings. Succession planning is key to ensuring continuity of knowledge and contribution of the AIBC to CALA.
• Council approved the Terms of Reference for Cooperation among Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA), dated May 2017. The Terms include a previously discussed addition of a dedicated part-time administrative support position.
• The Terms of Reference for the CALA International Relations Committee (IRC), establishing that the IRC will work within the approved mandate and authority given to it by CALA, were also approved.
• AIBC CEO Mark Vernon’s appointment to the CALA Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) Standing Committee for a three-year term, was approved. The CACB, established by CALA, provides ongoing collaboration, cooperation and reporting between the members of CALA and the CACB, as well as between CALA and the Canadian Council of University Schools of Architecture (CCUSA). Mark joins Judy Pestrak (MAA) and Karen Chantler (AANB) on the committee.
• Council approved CALA’s “Future of the Profession” Steering Committee to commence work and develop a directed program for the advancement of a national architectural policy, with an approximate $6,000 budget. The committee mandate is to develop a process where the profession and the public could be engaged in a conversation about the value of the future of the profession of architecture.
• Council chose the recipient of the Michael A. Ernest AIBC Intern Architect Bursary, now in its third year. Previous recipients have gone on to become registered, a key driver of the bursary.

CEO Report
External Items
Meetings

• Several meetings occurred since the last council meeting:
  • Apr.–PLI consultation sessions in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna.
  • The Victoria PLI session was followed by the Vancouver Island Chapter Dinner where council member Catherine Nickerson was feted, in advance of receiving a fellowship from the RAIC.
  • Meeting between myself, T. Lutes and APEGBC to discuss a variety of topics, including the “Right Touch Regulation” event.
  • In attendance as a guest of the CALA task force, further discussion on the Future of the Profession initiative.
  • City of Vancouver follow-up with Gill Kelly regarding the Development Advisory Group meetings. Draft report forthcoming.
  • Min. of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson hosted an evening event with Harry Cayton, CEO, UK’s Professional Standards Authority regarding “Right Touch Regulation”. Several AIBC councilors and senior staff also in attendance.
  • AIBC served as host to the CACB Oral Reviews. I attended the CACB Standing Committee Meeting that followed.

Internal Items
Council Election

• This is the first year council elections took place by way of electronic voting. Preliminary feedback has been positive.

Registration and Licensing

• The final tally of members and other registrants removed from the register is as follows (with comparatives for 2016):

The consistent reduction in removals each year (especially since 2015 and earlier) is attributed to the earlier invoicing process (November, rather than December).

Practice Advice / Member Support

• The AIBC’s Practice Advisor, Maura Gatensby, has been appointed to the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) Selection Committee. The CCBFC is the organization that writes the model National Building Code, which is the basis for the BC Building Code and Vancouver’s Building Bylaw. It is important to have architects serving on the CCBFC committee, to bring to the national forum building code and professional regulation issues from the architect’s perspective. Other AIBC members are already serving on a number of standing committees.
• Bulletin 31: Buildings Requiring the Services of an Architect and Bulletin 33: Architecture and Engineering – Complementary Professions have been updated to emphasize the statutory requirements of the Architects Act, and clarify certain aspects for the reader (architects, engineers, and the public). As well, a new section (5.2) has been added to Bulletin 31, which provides guidance on when the institute might not require an architect, as well as a new appendix comparing BC Building Code requirements for architectural services and the Architects Act requirements for hiring an architect. Members, other registrants and key stakeholders were notified of the updates.

Outreach (Registrants and External)

• The AIBC has been invited to join the Doors Open Vancouver planning committee once again. The event is set for June 24, 2017.
• Government Relations: Select election candidates will be contacted before the election, and invited to discuss the role of the AIBC and the challenges of the current Architects Act. The intention of this initiative is to get ‘on the radar’ of current/future MLAs in our attempt to promote Act
• Awards Program: The Awards Jury selected a shortlist of 12; 11 projects and 1 firm. Winners will be announced at the May 10 Awards Ceremony.
• Annual Conference: Sponsorship support is on track for the annual conference. We are pleased to welcome 15 new businesses to the event, with 12 returning.
• Walking Tour Program: The Walking Tour program will be hosting the Vancouver Newcomers Club in April. We also received a request from the Chief Justice of Canada’s office to host visiting spouses on a tour in June.
• AIBC Gallery: The AIBC hosted the Kwantlen Interior Design school graduation with 160 total guests. With the renovation complete, we are currently rotating displays of the AIBC archival materials, some dating back to 1892.
• AIBC Brand Centre: Connected, AIBC’s monthly newsletter, was rebranded with a new name and easier-to-read layout.
• AIBC Website: ‘Phase 2’ development of the aibc.ca website was implemented. While many of the updates were behind-the-scenes adjustments, some new and/or improved features noticeable on the front-end include: clickable main banner images on the homepage, responsive to mobile devices; breadcrumbs at the top of each page to improve site navigation; reformatted News page in an easier-to-read blog roll format; and, better overall search functionality.

Other Business

• Motions were also passed for AIBC council meeting minutes, committee changes, examination results and register amendments.
• Read adopted May 2, 2017 council meeting minutes.

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of AIBC Council is scheduled for July 11, 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.