Shaping the profession. Contributing to the community. Advancing self-regulation.
The AIBC Volunteer Program is an initiative that supports registrants and members of the public in contributing to the mandate of the Institute and the architectural community in British Columbia. Consisting of more than 25 operational boards, committees, panels, task forces, and other initiatives, the program provides many ways to get involved in areas as diverse as registration pathways, intern program support, professional conduct and ethics, investigations, design and continuing education.
Learn more about the AIBC Volunteer Program (PDF).
Volunteer Openings
Design Panel Committee
The AIBC is seeking new members for its Design Panel Committee to serve as liaisons for various municipalities. We welcome all qualified candidates to apply for this position, with a particular need for representation from Vancouver Island.
The committee engages in valuable discussions on the importance and role of Advisory Design Panels (ADPs) including how to best promote their appropriate function in the public interest. The Design Panel Committee reviews advisory design panel (ADP) applications and provides recommendations for architect nominations to all ADPs across the province requiring architect members per local bylaw or terms of reference.
To learn more about the objectives, criteria, and procedures for nomination to and service on an ADP, please refer to the following documents:
- Bulletin 65: Advisory Design Panels – Standards for Procedure and Conduct
- Practice Guideline: Advisory Design Panels (ADPs)
Duties and Expectations
- Promote the appropriate use of ADPs in the public interest
- Review ADP applications and provide recommendations for nomination of architects to ADPs for assigned municipalities
- Attend and actively participate in monthly meetings, bringing forward any ADP-related issues or questions for committee discussion and feedback
Volunteer Profile
- Registration as an Architect AIBC or Retired Architect AIBC
- Interest in and/or experience with advisory design panel related matters
- Understanding and appreciation of AIBC’s core regulatory mandate
- Previous experience presenting at and serving on ADPs is an asset
Average Time Commitment
- Committee meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each month (excluding July and August) at 12:15 p.m. and usually conclude after an hour.
- Work outside of meeting times will be required, including sending correspondence to municipalities and architects interested in serving on ADPs.
- Volunteers are expected to maintain an excellent Committee meeting attendance record. Meetings are currently taking place remotely through Zoom. However, the Committee hopes to gradually return to some in-person meetings at the AIBC.
Benefits
- Opportunity to protect the public’s interest and demonstrate your expertise in the field of architecture
- Network and connect with other professionals
- Share your knowledge and experience and discuss matters related to advisory design panels
- AIBC committee volunteers are eligible to receive Non-core Learning Unit credit for their service
- Participate in meetings remotely allowing you to contribute from various locations
Getting Involved
If you are interested in joining the Design Panel Committee, please send 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.
UPDATED: Conference Professional Development (PD) Committee
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.
Duties and Expectation
- 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 ongoing liaising with confirmed speakers.
- Attend and actively participate in bi-weekly meetings, maintain strong connections, and actively engage with the architecture community.
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
- Previous experience planning, coordinating, or facilitating professional development events is an asset
- Previous experience with large architectural firms is an asset
Average Time Commitment
- Committee meetings take place every two weeks on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. from September through April and usually conclude after two hours.
- Volunteers are expected to maintain an excellent Committee meeting attendance record. Meetings are currently taking place remotely through Zoom. However, the Committee hopes to gradually return to some in-person meetings at the AIBC.
Benefits
- Guide, inspire and influence the PD programming for Confab and Conference
- Network and connect with emerging and registered architects within British Columbia
- AIBC committee volunteers are eligible to receive Non-core Learning Unit credit for their service
- Participate in some meetings remotely allowing you to contribute from various locations
Getting Involved
If you are interesting in joining the Conference PD Committee, please send 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.
Certified Professional Advisory Group
The AIBC is seeking two Architects AIBC who are Certified Professionals to participate on the Certified Professional Advisory Group (CPAG). This role is an opportunity to provide advice on matters that influence the operations of the Certified Professional Program, to the AIBC and Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
Role
- Communicate advice regarding the continuous improvement of the CP Program
- Promote increased levels of knowledge of building codes by assisting with the development of specialized courses, seminars, and other educational sessions
- Help determine the training requirements for current CPs when new editions of building codes are issued
- Make recommendations to establish guidelines of practice for CP, and to the AIBC, Engineers and Geoscientists BC and participating AHJs to establish or modify qualification criteria for CPs
Volunteer Profile
- Must be registered as an Architect AIBC, and be a CP
- Extensive and developing knowledge of building codes
- Maintain strong connections and actively engage with the architecture community and engineer and geoscience community
- Possess a broad understanding of the practice and regulation of architecture, engineering, and geoscience in B.C.
Time Commitment
- Advisory meetings at 12 p.m. on the third Monday of the month, except for July and August
- Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, all meetings for the foreseeable future will be held remotely via Zoom or MS Teams
Benefits
- Opportunity to advance the profession by sharing your knowledge and experience
- Contribute to your continued professional competency
- Opportunity for professional networking with emerging and registered architects, engineers, and geoscientists within British Columbia
- All AIBC committee and advisory group volunteers are eligible to receive Non-core Learning Unit credit for their service
Getting Involved
If you are interested in joining the Certified Professional Advisory Group, 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 and how your knowledge or experience will contribute to this group to Jocelyn Webster, People and Culture Specialist, at volunteers@aibc.ca.
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.
Oral Review Panelists
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.
Mentorship of an Intern Architect AIBC
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.
Municipal Advisory Design Panels
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 Duncan
- District of Saanich (Architects with significant experience with tall buildings and complex commercial developments needed)
- District of Squamish
- Town of Gibsons
- University Endowment Lands
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.
AIBC Contact
For detailed information on AIBC operational, standing and statutory committees that depend on volunteer participation and contribution, please refer to AIBC Volunteer Opportunities | Operational Boards, Committees, Panels, and Task Forces (PDF).
If you are interested in applying to one of these committees or other opportunities, please fill out the Volunteer Application Form (PDF) or contact our Human Resources team at volunteers@aibc.ca.