The AIBC has established council rules and rulings for a variety of important institute business. Rules cover procedural matters such as council’s own meetings. In addition, there are rules, authorized by bylaws, such as those for the AIBC’s Continuing Education System compliance. Rulings, only found in the AIBC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, clarify and reinforce the bylaws in the Code of Ethics.
When rules or rulings are introduced or amended by council, per AIBC Council Policy 3.10, a 30-day notification period is triggered. During this time, members and associates are encouraged to provide feedback or submit questions via an online form. All feedback (without identifying information) is provided to council prior to its consideration and final vote.
Proposed Council Rules or Rulings
Council Rules 5: Continuing Education System (CES) and Council Rules 6: Designation and Admission Qualifications for Associates
Council Rules 5: Continuing Education System (CES) and Council Rules 6: Designation and Admission Qualifications for Associates were thoroughly reviewed following the recent close of the 2016–2018 CES reporting period. The CES program was developed in response to both the profession’s recognition of its owns needs, and the public’s expectation that CES participants remain current with contemporary technology, business practices, methods and materials.
The proposed amendments to Council Rules 5 outline several enhancements and changes to the Continuing Education System, such as clarification of the audit process and further defining the consequences, the reduction of allowable carry forward of Core Learning Units and introduction of Intern Architects AIBC to the CES program.
Beginning July 1, 2020, interns would be required to earn 36 Learning Units over the two-year reporting period ending June 30, 2022, following the same requirements as other CES Participants – Architects AIBC and Architectural Technologists AIBC. This proposed change is in the public interest to ensure currency of competency, and is in keeping with the approach of several other Canadian regulators. All courses under the Internship in Architecture Program would be eligible for Continuing Education credits. If these council rules are approved, intern architects will receive detailed additional information about CES participation and compliance.
Proposed Council Rules 6 include the addition of rules related to CES non-compliance and disciplinary action for Intern Architects AIBC and Architectural Technologists AIBC.
View all proposed changes in the Council Rules 5: Continuing Education System (CES) Comparison Chart (PDF).
Council Rules 9: Formation and Administration of Chapters
In June 2018, chapter bylaws were amended by member approval, as part of the Administrative Bylaws 2018 initiative. The amendments saw repeal of former chapters bylaws and adoption of a single bylaw (8.1) that provides for the ‘administration’ of AIBC chapters in council rules rather than in bylaws.
The proposed council rules are largely based on the chapter guidelines, in place since early 2017, as well as the repealed chapter bylaws which included chapter formation, membership matters, and reporting requirements. The Chapter Application Form remains unchanged.
Notification Period | Online Feedback Forms
As per Council Policy 3.10, registrants and associates are given notice regarding any proposed new or amended council rules. The notification period for Council Rules 5, Council Rules 6, and Council Rules 9 opens January 16, 2019, and will run until February 15, 2019.
During the notification period, architects and associates are invited to review the council rules and share their feedback or questions through an online feedback form:
- Review Council Rules 5: Continuing Education System (CES).
Feedback Form: Council Rules 5: Continuing Education System (CES)
- Review Council Rules 6: Designation and Admission Qualifications for Associates.
Feedback Form: Council Rules 6: Designation and Admission Qualifications for Associates
- Review Council Rules 9: Formation and Administration of Chapters.
Feedback Form: Council Rules 9: Formation and Administration of Chapters
All feedback (without identifying information) is provided to council prior to its consideration and vote on the rules. Council is expected to vote on these rules in March 2019. If approved, the rules will be posted online.