Volunteer Opportunities

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 held three times per year (March, June and September)
• Oral Reviewers assist with one to three evenings between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Oral Reviewers receive a complimentary dinner and a reimbursement for parking costs
• Oral Reviews take place 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 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 creative and ambitious members to participate on the Annual Conference Professional Development (PD) Committee. This role provides the opportunity to assist with planning the educational content for AIBC Conference and Confab.

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 AIBC Conference and Confab.
• 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

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 and teleconferencing is available
• Volunteers receive complimentary parking and lunch for committee meetings

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 Annual 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 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.
• Solid 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 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 Maple Ridge
• City of New Westminster
• City of North Vancouver
• City of North Vancouver – Heritage
• City of Pitt Meadows
• City of Surrey
• District of Oak Bay
• District of Saanich
• Municipality of Whistler

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.