Volunteer Opportunities

The role of assessor is a volunteer position with the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) Broadly Experienced Foreign Architects (BEFA) Program, which streamlines the process for foreign architects to become certified for licensure in Canada. The AIBC, in partnership with CACB, is looking for up to three regional representative volunteers who are interested in becoming BEFA assessors. Each BEFA Panel for assessment is assigned by CACB and has three members: Chair, National representative and Regional representative.

Role

• Reviewing the BEFA applicant’s online submission.
• Determining if the applicant’s submission is complete and the applicant is eligible for an interview.
• Participating in conference calls with Panel members to discuss the submission.
• Preparing for an interview with the BEFA applicant in conjunction with the other panel members, based on the materials that the applicant submitted and in reference to the competencies for architecture in Canada.
• In the case of a Regional Panel member, liaising with the AIBC with respect to British Columbia specific issues that need to be covered during the interview as well as potential remedial action(s).
• Participating in the interview with the applicant (up to three hours).
• Assisting the Chair with the preparation of Interim and Final Reports.

Volunteer Profile

• At least five years of broad-based architectural practice experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current architectural practice requirements in British Columbia
• Knowledge and understanding of:
  • Regulatory roles and responsibilities of a self-governing profession.
  • The role of the regulator in setting and maintaining standards of entry for the profession.
  • Education, experience, and examination requirements for entry to practice architecture in Canada.
  • Internship, CERB, and eligibility requirements to register as an Architect within British Columbia and other jurisdictions.
  • The business and practice of architecture in British Columbia and other jurisdictions.
• A high degree of discretion and tact.
• The ability to commit the volunteer time to review 2 applications and participate in two assessment interviews per year.
• A computer with internet access and PDF capability and a printer.
• Experience in interviews and decision writing is an asset.

Time Commitment

• Six to eight hours to do the on-line assessment of the applicant’s portfolio.
• Participating in up to two conference calls with the Panel members.
• A minimum, two-day commitment for the interview process, including travel.
• Review of Panel Chair’s Interim and Final Reports to CACB.
• The CACB will provide the obligatory assessor training and the documentation required to review a portfolio.
• CACB will cover assessor expenses for travel and accommodation for the interview.

Benefits

• Contribute towards the self-regulation of the profession.
• Opportunity for professional networking with emerging and registered architects within British Columbia and other jurisdictions.

Getting Involved

For more information on the BEFA program, please visit the Canadian Architectural Certification Board website.

To get involved, and for all other volunteer related enquiries, please contact Michaela Bogart, Human Resources 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 Michaela Bogart, Human Resources Specialist, at volunteers@aibc.ca.

The Internship in Architecture Program (IAP) is the domestic stream to registration as an architect in Canada. Once accepted to the program, intern architects need to accumulate a specified minimum of experience hours in pre-determined practice categories. The Experience Review Committee assists the Institute in ensuring that the work experience component of the IAP is being administered and evaluated fairly and effectively, and supports Intern Architects AIBC by facilitating their pathway to registration.

Role

• Review and assess the work experience submitted by Intern Architects in their Canadian Experience Record Book (CERB).
• Ensure the work experience logs are being assessed effectively, consistently, and fairly.
• Occasional participation in Experience Review Interviews to approve work experience.
• Provide recommendations and feedback to the Registration Board and staff regarding IAP work assessment policies and procedures.

Volunteer Profile

• Be an Architect AIBC in good standing with familiarity with the registration process. Experience and knowledge of the Internship in Architecture program is desired, but not mandatory.
• Have a commitment to facilitate the progression of intern architects on the path towards licensure.
• Solis grasp of competencies required by intern architects for registration.
• Be detail oriented, able to work independently and review documents critically.

Time Commitment

• Monthly meetings of one to two hours over the lunch period of a mid-week work day; or
• The review work can be performed at flexible times as arranged with AIBC staff.
• Meetings are held at the centrally located AIBC offices, with catering and parking provided.

Benefits

• Opportunity to support the IAP and the self-regulation of the profession through a role that considers a busy schedule.
• Learning and development through exposure to a variety of work experience areas.
• AIBC registrants are eligible for non-core learning unit credit.

Getting Involved

For more information, please consult the committee’s Terms of Reference on the AIBC’s website.

To get involved, and for all other volunteer related enquiries, please contact Michaela Bogart, Human Resources Specialist, at volunteers@aibc.ca.

The Institute is seeking architects to serve on its Consensual Resolution Review Panel (the “Panel”). The Panel is currently comprised of three Architects AIBC and two non-member public representatives.

Working with the AIBC Professional Conduct & Illegal Practice team, the Panel fulfills an integral role in the consensual resolution process. Consensual resolution is an alternative approach to resolving disciplinary matters that would otherwise proceed to a formal disciplinary inquiry. The panel’s role in this process is to review and make approval decisions on proposed consensual resolution agreements between the AIBC and architects, associates, firms and licensees under the consensual resolution process established under the Architect’s Act and AIBC Bylaws. In deciding whether to approve any agreement, the Panel must have regard to the public interest.

The AIBC believes that the public interest and the profession are best served by a Consensual Resolution Review Panel that includes members from diverse backgrounds.

The general qualification and experience criteria for appointments to the panel include:

• Registration as an Architect AIBC in good standing with several years of experience;
• Appreciation of AIBC’s core regulatory mandate;
• Understanding of the disciplinary process and disciplinary resolution aspects of professional regulation;
• Solid understanding of professional ethics and conduct in architectural practice;
• Sound, objective judgement in relation to professional standards and ethics;
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality; and
• Ability to work collaboratively.

The time commitment and benefits of appointment to this panel include:

• Minimal time commitment for this panel as members meet on average four times per year, for no more than two hours (some document review in advance is required);
• Meetings take place at the centrally located offices of the AIBC, with catering and parking provided;
• Remote attendance electronically or by teleconference is possible for out of town committee members; and
• Registrants of the AIBC are eligible to receive non-core learning unit credit for their service.

Interested candidates are invited to contact Michaela Bogart, Human Resources Specialist, at: volunteers@aibc.ca.

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

The Bylaw Review Committee assists the Institute in continuing its review of the AIBC Bylaws, thus playing an integral role in the self-regulation of the profession. The committee is tasked with reviewing bylaws and making recommendations to council with respect to bylaw amendments, deletions and additions that may be appropriate in the context of the Architects Act and the AIBC’s public interest and professional regulation mandate. Any amendments to AIBC bylaws, including deletions or new bylaws, require member support by way of vote.

Since its establishment in 2011, the committee’s work has included the successful passing of several new bylaws including electronic voting, consensual resolution, and investigation and discipline.  More recently, the committee completed its recommendations to council on proposed professional liability insurance (PLI) bylaws.

The general qualification and experience criteria for appointments to the panel include:

• Registration as an Architect AIBC in good standing with several years of experience;
• Appreciation of AIBC’s core regulatory mandate;
• Familiarity and comfort 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; and
• Familiarity with drafting conventions for codes is considered an asset.

The time commitment and benefits of appointment to this panel include:

• Scheduled meetings the third Thursday of each month from 12pm – 2pm;
• Meetings take place at the centrally located offices of the AIBC, with catering and parking provided;
• Remote attendance electronically or by teleconference is possible for out of town committee members; and
• Registrants of the AIBC are eligible to receive non-core learning unit credit for their service.

Interested candidates are invited to contact Michaela Bogart, Human Resources 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:

• District of Chilliwack
• City of Duncan
• City of Maple Ridge
• City of New Westminster
• City of North Vancouver
• District of Oak Bay
• City of Parksville
• City of Pitt Meadows
• District of Saanich
• City of Surrey
• City of Vancouver – Urban Design Panel
• City of Vancouver – Chinatown
• City of Vancouver – Gastown
• City of Vancouver – High Buildings
• 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)
• ADP Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Please fill out the Advisory Design Panel Application Form (PDF) and forward your submission(s) to the attention of Professional Services Coordinator Jaishree Sundar, at jsundar@aibc.ca.