Volunteer Opportunities

The 2018 Annual Meeting commences at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 7 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in the Summit Room (Room 301-305). One of the highlights of the annual meeting is the announcement of the election results of members to the governing council for the AIBC.

The Institute invites applications from persons interested in the role of election scrutineer, per Council Rules 4: Electronic Voting and Council Elections, section 2.14.

As per section 2.14, the names of all applicants will be provided to the president at the Annual Meeting; the president will then appoint three election scrutineers.  Scrutineers are responsible for assisting the Returning Officer in matters related to election management, including preparation of the Election Certificate for presentation to the Registrar. The scrutineers will be required to perform their duties on the day and at the time of the Annual Meeting, and accordingly will miss a portion of the Annual Meeting.

Those interested in being considered for this volunteer opportunity are required to send an application by way of an email to the designated Returning Officer, Meagan Sands at msands@aibc.ca. The application email must indicate in a few sentences why you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, and confirm that you are available on May 7, 2018.  Applications will be received until 5 p.m. on April 19.

AIBC Council has established a Motions Review Committee to assist the institute with Member’s Forum portion of the upcoming AIBC Annual Meeting on May 7, 2018.  This committee’s primary role is to review members’ motions, including those which are submitted and published in advance, to help ensure that they are consistent with professional expectations, and to manage the members’ motions portion of the Members’ Forum.

Architects interested in contributing to this engaging aspect of the member-institute dialogue are invited to submit their expressions of interest by April 19, 2018.

While this calls for a reasonable understanding of AIBC processes and the ability to share in management of a dynamic session, members from diverse backgrounds and experience are invited to participate.

Please direct your expression of interest to participate on the committee to Tracy Tough, Executive Coordinator at ttough@aibc.ca. Review the Motions Review Committee Terms of Reference (PDF).

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 Yana Vassilenko, 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. Architects who volunteer as a Mentor can help play a vital role to shape and strengthen the future of the profession.

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 AIBC.
• 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.

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 AIBC.
• More frequent meetings are encouraged, and can include teleconferencing.

Benefits

• Opportunity to contribute to the self-regulation of the profession through a volunteer role that considers a busy schedule.
• Opportunity for professional networking with intern architects.
• AIBC registrants are eligible for non-core learning unit credit.

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.  Mentorship of BEA candidates is less structured compared to Interns.  Mentors will act as a resource providing general advice about the registration process within the AIBC.

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 Yana Vassilenko, Human Resources Specialist, at volunteers@aibc.ca.

The AIBC provides an alternative pathway to registration as an architect through the Broadly Experienced Applicant (BEA) Program. This program assesses a candidates’ experience and acquired competencies against the Canadian Competency Matrix for persons working in the profession who have not met the usual education, experience and examination requirements, or who have done so in jurisdictions not recognized in B.C. under a Mutual Recognition Agreement. The Qualifications Committee supports the administration of the BEA Program at the AIBC by conducting the initial assessment of applicant qualifications.

Role

• Assess applicant qualifications under the BEA Program at the AIBC, including reviewing applications and online submissions.
• Contribute to an assessment processes that is effective, consistent and fair.
• Provide analysis and advice for program development and maintenance of certification standards for entry to the profession.
• Conduct interviews with alternative qualifications candidates, as necessary.

Volunteer Profile

• Be an Architect AIBC or Retired Architect AIBC in good standing with at least 3 years of practice experience in B.C.
• Have an appreciation of AIBC’s core regulatory mandate.
• Posses strong analytical skills, and the ability to make well-reasoned decisions.
• Knowledge of the alternative qualifications framework, an asset.

Time Commitment

• Meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 12 p.m.
• Meetings are held at the centrally located AIBC offices, with catering and parking provided.
• Teleconferencing is available for members unable to attend in person.

Benefits

• Make a difference by influencing the BEA program in this early developmental stage.
• Gain exposure to a variety of perspectives and practice areas through the evaluation of applicants with diverse backgrounds and training.
• Opportunity for professional networking.
• 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 Yana Vassilenko, Human Resources Specialist, at volunteers@aibc.ca.

Do you want to participate more actively in the architectural community? Would you like to build relationships with other prospective architects and registrants? Is it important to you that the Institute continues to develop the Internship in Architecture Program? Join the AIBC Intern Architect Committee!

The Intern Architect Committee provides services and support to Intern Architects AIBC on the pathway to registration. The committee may also provide input to the Registration Board about the Internship in Architecture Program (IAP), which is the domestic stream to registration as an architect in Canada.

If you are interested in joining the committee, please review the role description, including eligibility and time commitment, below:

Role

• Plan and participate in initiatives that support the registration of Intern Architects AIBC, including intern events and offerings at the Annual Conference.
• Organize activities and events for Intern Architects AIBC.
• Act as a voice for intern architects to the Registration Board and AIBC Council about a variety of issues relating to the IAP.

Volunteer Profile

• Be an Intern Architect AIBC in good standing.
• Have a solid understanding of the IAP.
• Have a desire to help prospective and current intern architects from diverse backgrounds along the path to registration.
• Be willing to participate in initiatives supporting interns’ registration as architects.
• Experience with social media and event planning is an asset.

Time Commitment

• Monthly meeting on the second Thursday from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Meetings are held at the centrally located AIBC offices, with catering and parking provided.
• Teleconferencing is available for members unable to attend in-person.

Benefits

• Opportunity for professional networking with emerging and registered architects.
• Gain exposure to a variety of perspectives and practice areas through your committee colleagues.
• Contribute to shaping the profession and your architectural community.

Apply Today!

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

To put forward your application, and for all other volunteer related enquiries, please contact Yana Vassilenko, 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 Jaidin Wale, 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 Jaidin Wale, 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 the following design panels:

• City of Duncan
• City of Surrey
• City of Victoria

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 Manager Alexandra Kokol, at akokol@aibc.ca.