Volunteer Opportunities

The AIBC is seeking architects to serve on the Bylaw Review Committee.

The Bylaw Review Committee assists the Institute with the review and modernization of the AIBC Bylaws (PDF), thus playing an integral role in the self-regulation of the profession. Since its establishment in 2011, the Committee’s work has included the successful passing of several new bylaws. Most recently, the Bylaw Review Committee completed amendments to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (the “Code of Ethics”) related to advertising; general professional conduct including harassment and discrimination; client confidentiality; and supervision of intern architects.

Given the transition to the Professional Governance Act (the “PGA”), the Bylaw Review Committee will now be focused on the review and development of new AIBC Bylaws and a Code of Ethics that meet the requirements of the PGA, and the AIBC’s public interest and professional regulation mandate.

The AIBC believes the public and the profession are best served by a Bylaw Review Committee that includes members from diverse backgrounds. While all qualified architects are encouraged to consider this opportunity and apply, the Committee especially encourages and invites applications from architects working in larger firms and women architects.

The terms of reference for the Bylaw Review Committee is in the process of being updated to reflect the PGA transition.

Volunteer Profile

• Registration as an Architect AIBC in good standing with 5+ years of experience
• Solid understanding of AIBC’s core regulatory mandate
• Familiarity with AIBC Bylaws
• Ability to compare and analyze legislations, bylaws and codes against current institute needs.
• Ability to explain bylaw concepts in plain language and comfort with member consultation.
• Familiarity with drafting conventions for codes is an asset.

Time Commitment

• Scheduled meetings the third Thursday of each month from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., as needed.
• Due to COVID-19, all meetings are currently taking place remotely through Zoom. The ability to attend remotely will continue to be an option post-pandemic.

Benefits

• Bylaw Review Committee members, like all AIBC committee volunteers, are eligible to receive Non-core Learning Unit credit for their service.

Getting Involved

Interested candidates are invited to contact Jocelyn Webster, People and Culture Specialist, at: volunteers@aibc.ca.

The AIBC is seeking Architects AIBC and Retired Architects AIBC to participate on the Investigations Committee. This committee works with the AIBC Professional Conduct & Illegal Practice department to conduct investigations of complaints made against architects, associates, temporary licensees, and firms, and makes recommendations, including remediation, to the AIBC.

The AIBC believes the public and the profession are best served by an Investigations Committee that includes members from diverse backgrounds. While all qualified architects and retired architects are encouraged to consider this opportunity and apply, the committee especially encourages and invites applications from architects and retired architects living and/or practicing outside the Lower Mainland, women architects, visible minorities, architects for whom English is a second language (ESL), and architects in public practice.
Volunteer Profile

• Registration as an Architect AIBC in good standing with 5+ years of experience or registration as a Retired Architect AIBC
• Solid understanding of AIBC’s core regulatory mandate
• Strong knowledge of professional ethics and conduct in architectural practice
• Ability to thoroughly review detailed documentation
• Strong investigative and decision-making skills
• Sound, objective judgement in relation to professional standards and ethics
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Willing to attend training to enhance role on committee (e.g., investigations and bias training)

Time Commitment

• The Investigations Committee generally meets the third Tuesday of every month for three to five hours.
• Preparation time in advance of each meeting is required. Approximately 3 – 6 hours per month (variance dependent on nature and complexity of complaint files) of individual time is required to review file materials prior to the monthly meetings.
• Attending annual training sessions (approximately eight hours per year).
• Due to COVID-19, all meetings are currently taking place remotely through Zoom. The ability to attend remotely will continue to be an option post-pandemic.

Benefits

• Contribute to the AIBC’s core mandate of regulating the profession of architecture in the interest of the public.
• Investigation Committee members, like all AIBC committee volunteers, are eligible to receive non-core Learning Unit credit for their service.

Getting Involved
If you are interested in joining the Investigations Committee, please send a recent copy of your CV and an expression of interest of no more than 300 words describing why you are a good fit for this committee to Jocelyn Webster, People and Culture Specialist, at volunteers@aibc.ca.

The institute is looking to expand its roster of volunteer architects to serve as Oral Review panelists. The Oral Review is a crucial step in the process for intern architects and Broadly Experienced Applicants to register as an architect with the AIBC.

Reviewers participate in a three-person panel to assess and evaluate a candidate’s ability to understand the practice of architecture and how it is carried out and regulated in B.C. This is an ideal opportunity to stay updated on current issues and to help applicants in becoming future architects.

Interested volunteer candidates should possess the following qualifications:

• Be a registered Architect AIBC in good standing or a recently Retired Architect AIBC (within the last two years)
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience practicing architecture
• Possess a broad understanding of the practice and regulation of architecture in B.C.
• Possess strong communication skills

The benefits and time commitment of this committee include:

• This position does not require a monthly commitment and offers flexibility in terms of the volunteer’s level of commitment due to the schedule of Oral Reviews which are generally held three times per year (March, June and September)
• Oral Reviewers participate in one to three in-person Oral Reviews between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m or one to three virtual Oral Reviews held in the afternoons/evenings
• Oral Reviewers receive a complimentary dinner and a reimbursement for parking costs (applicable to in-person Oral Reviews)
• Oral Reviews take place remotely via Zoom and at the centrally located offices of the AIBC
• Oral Reviewers, like all AIBC committee volunteers, are eligible to receive non-core Learning Unit credit for their service

Please note that training will be provided. Prospective Oral Reviewers must sit in as an observer on an Oral Review panel for a minimum of three sessions.

Interested candidates are invited to contact Jocelyn Webster, People and Culture Specialist, at: volunteers@aibc.ca.

The AIBC is seeking creative and ambitious members to participate on the Conference Professional Development (PD) Committee. This role provides the opportunity to assist with planning the educational content for AIBC Confab and Conference.

AIBC Confab and Conference brings members of the design community together to learn about industry trends, technological advances and best practices. These events are also a chance to network, socialize, and celebrate the innovative, impactful work of practitioners and theorists in the field of architecture.
Role

• Work with AIBC staff to plan, strategize and coordinate the PD sessions for Confab Conference.
• Assist with PD stream planning, proposal reviews, speaker selection and recruitment and development of session descriptions for conference promotions.

Volunteer Profile

• All classes of AIBC registrants are welcome
• A propensity for creativity and innovation
• Active involvement in or knowledge of the evolving architectural trends
• Maintain strong connections and actively engage with the architecture community
• Experience with virtual events an asset

Time Commitment

• Committee meetings every two weeks on Mondays at 12 p.m. from September through April
• Meeting are held at the centrally located AIBC office. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, all meetings for the foreseeable future will be held remotely via Zoom or MS Teams.
• Volunteers receive complimentary parking and lunch for committee meetings (when attending in person)

Benefits

• Guide, inspire and influence the PD programming for confab and conference
• Opportunity for professional networking with emerging and registered architects within British Columbia
• All AIBC committee volunteers are eligible to receive Non-core Learning Unit credit for their service

Getting Involved
If you are interesting in joining the Conference PD Committee, please send a recent copy of your CV and an expression of interest of no more than 300 words describing why you are a good fit for this committee and how your knowledge or experience will contribute to a successful event, to Jocelyn Webster, People and Culture Specialist, at volunteers@aibc.ca.

The Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) is the domestic stream to registration as an Architect in Canada, which sets educational, experience and examination standards for licensure. During their progression through the IAP, Intern Architects AIBC will rely on the guidance and support of a Mentor to help them fulfill their path to registration.

Role

• Provide objective guidance and direction outside of the Intern Architect’s workplace.
• Be a positive and professional role model to one or more Intern Architects and conduct regular reviews of the Intern Architect’s progress.
• Share discussions of overall career objectives within the field of architecture.

Volunteer Profile

• An Architect AIBC or Retired Architect AIBC. Note: a mentor cannot be employed at the same architectural firm, organization, or practice as the Intern Architect AIBC.
• Fluency in multiple languages is an asset.

Time Commitment

• At a minimum, the Mentor must meet with the Intern Architect prior to each submission of their Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB), which occurs approximately twice per year.
• Meetings can be held at a convenient location for both the Mentor and the Intern Architect. More frequent meetings are encouraged, and can include teleconferencing.

Benefits

• Contribute to the self-regulation of the profession as well as an opportunity for professional networking with intern architects.

Mentorship in General

There will be opportunities to mentor Broadly-Experienced Applicants. These candidates are seeking registration through alternative qualifications and are either foreign-trained architects, or already have extensive local work experience, or a combination of both. Mentors will act as a resource providing general advice about the registration process within the AIBC.

Getting Involved

To get involved, and for all other volunteer related enquiries, please contact Jocelyn Webster, People and Culture Specialist, at volunteers@aibc.ca.

The AIBC invites applications from architects interested in serving on municipal Advisory Design Panels. The role of an advisory design panel member is to give impartial, professional advice directly on any proposal or policy affecting the community’s physical environment in the public interest.

The AIBC invites applications from architects interested in serving on any municipal ADP listed on the application form. Below are the design panels that have upcoming appointments:

• City of Langley
• City of Maple Ridge
• City of Nanaimo
• City of New Westminster
• City of North Vancouver – Heritage
• City of Port Moody
• District of Saanich
• City of Surrey
• City of Victoria
• District of West Vancouver
• Municipality of Whistler
• City of White Rock

For more information about the meeting schedules of each design panel, please refer to the Design Panel Meeting Matrix (PDF).

To learn more about the procedures for serving on a panel, please refer to the following documents:

• AIBC Bulletin 65: Advisory Design Panels – Standards for Procedures and Conduct (PDF)
• Practice Guideline: Advisory Design Panels (ADPs) (PDF)

To apply, please forward your latest CV along with the Advisory Design Panel Application Form (PDF) to designpanels@aibc.ca.