2019 Induction Retirement Ceremony
The AIBC Induction and Retirement Ceremony – an annual event which welcomes new members and commends those who are retiring – took place on June 5, 2019 at the Law Courts Inn. It was a celebratory evening with nearly 140 individuals in attendance, including inductees, retirees, and their guests.
The 2019 Ceremony began with the procession of the inductees. The emcees for the evening were Mary McMains Architect AIBC, member of the Registration Board, and Sean Rodrigues Architect AIBC, AIBC Council Vice President. Following their opening remarks, AIBC Council President Ian McDonald Architect AIBC addressed retirees and inductees, extending council’s best wishes and hearty congratulations.
Since the 2018 ceremony, the AIBC has welcomed 139 new members approved for registration. Of these members, nearly 60 have been registered through the Intern Architect Program, and almost 80 obtained registration through reciprocal registration agreements with other provinces or states.
There was a special presentation for two individuals – Susan Morris and James Starck – who received AIBC honorary membership at the 100th Annual Meeting. The AIBC Honorary Membership, established under the Architects Act, recognizes non-architects who have made an especially noteworthy contribution to the profession of architecture in British Columbia. Honorary Members are eligible to vote in council elections and bylaw amendments, but no practice rights are bestowed. Immediate past Registrar Gordon Richards invited Susan Morris to the stage to receive her AIBC Honorary Member Certificate. James Starck, who was unable to attend the event, was then also recognized by Gord Richards for his contributions to the profession.
As per tradition, a recently retired architect presents a Charge to inductees. This year, John Davidson Retired Architect AIBC led the address:
“I have had the privilege of serving on a number of committees, task forces, and also on Council including terms as Vice-President and President. I can tell you with certainty that while I did my best to add value to that service, in every role I gained knowledge of the profession that served me well in practice.
As you embark on your careers, I charge each of you to meet the many challenges before you, to seek new opportunities for service in areas previously under served, and to fulfill your role as architects with a high degree of professionalism, mixed with compassion and concern for those you serve and for the global community.”
– Charge excerpt from John Davidson Retired Architect AIBC
Newly registered Architect AIBC Kelly Edzerza-Bapty provided the Response:
“As a resident that has lived in each of the four corners of this province and two territories, and whom was born in a remote arctic community, I would urge my fellow architects to get to know this province, its vast landscape, and diverse cultures and geography more intimately. To be curious and explore, to question and be pragmatic in practice, in working actively to offer service throughout this province and country.
Congratulations fellow inductees. May we accept this charge and carry forth our responsibilities as newly inducted architects, with integrity and a high level of ethics to serve our communities.”
– Charge Response excerpt from Kelly Edzerza-Bapty Architect AIBC