Council Meeting Summary – 10 March 2015

At the 10 March 2015 council meeting, the AIBC Council dealt with the following items:

• President’s Report
  • On 18 February 2015, Canada, New Zealand and Australia signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) under the APEC Architect Framework.
  • Delegation from IRC/CALA met with Japanese representatives to reach a similar MRA.
  • The Tri-National Mutual Recognition Agreement between CALA, NCARB and FCARM (Mexico) is now live.
  • Quebec representatives of IRC/ CALA continue to lead the discussion for a similar recognition agreement with the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE).
• Finance
  • The AIBC continues to experience good financial health. Audited 2014 financial statements will be included in annual meeting package.
  • FICOM is working on a long-term strategic outlook that aligns with the AIBC’s 5-year Strategic Plan.
• Operational Constraints
  • The CEO performance evaluation process is being prepared for review in April.
• Act Review Working Group
  • Work continues on reviewing all Architects Act provisions and assessing whether amendments are needed and whether such changes are simple, complex, etc.
  • Government legislation on standardizing and regulating the building permit and construction process in BC was introduced during the 2015 spring session.
• Strategic Engagement Steering Committee
  • Role has shifted to monitoring and coordinating future engagement processes.
• Registration & Licensing Board
  • NCARB – January results for BC interns: 66.7% passing rate.
  • ExAC – November results for BC interns: The national success rate was 75.5% 
    Between 01 June – 15 July 2015, interns can register for the 02 – 03 November 2015 ExAC period.
  • Oral Reviews – February results for BC interns: 87.5% pass rate. The next Oral Reviews are scheduled for mid-June and mid-October. An Oral Review workshop is in the works. We are actively recruiting for new panelists. Please volunteer! Contact Belinda Chao at bchao@aibc.ca for more information.
  • A shout out to those who organized and attended the 06 February student event at UBC SALA.
• CEO/ED Report
  • AIBC attended the First Nations job fair in Williams Lake organized by the Yunesitin First Nation in partnership with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
  • AIBC’s Post Disaster SAP Committee delivered two sessions at this year’s Buildex.
  • Thank you to all AIBC registrants for your prompt attention in paying your annual dues. Internal discussions are taking place regarding proposals for streamlining next year’s fee billing cycle for the benefit of members and the institute.
  • Save the date! This year’s AIBC annual conference will be held 27-30 October 2015 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The theme is: “What’s Now – Insights and Directions”. The format has changed. The first day will feature four plenary sessions, whereas the second day will host a number of break-out sessions tagged under four or five streams.
  • Staff moved in to suite #210. The space features two new rooms for meetings, courses and seminars.
  • Planning for the annual meeting is underway. Please join us on 02 May 2015, 1-5 p.m. at the Segal Building, Simon Fraser University (500 Granville Street, Vancouver). A light lunch buffet will be served. Register to attend AIBC’s 96th Annual Meeting and for more information.
• Council approved motions to put forward three bylaw amendments to electronic vote. The motions were passed after council reviewed feedback submitted during the consultation period. Comments were submitted at the three information sessions (one live and 2 webinars), as well as by email.
  • Read the three bylaw amendments.
  • Simply E-Voting, the chosen service provider, will conduct the electronic vote 30 March 2015 to 24 April 2015. Detailed instructions and information will be made available to members and honorary members shortly by way of blasts and posts in eNews as well as communications sent directly from Simply Voting.  E-voting information, ballots, etc. will be emailed to the same address where eNews and blasts are sent.
• Taking into account the comments that were submitted during the 30-day notification period, council approved motions regarding Associate Status Disclosure. The proposed council rulings were passed and will come into effect on 17 April 2015.
  • Read Council Rulings on Associate Status Disclosure.
  • The rulings’ essence is that prior to offering services to a client or an authority having jurisdiction on projects in the exceptions with no architect supervising, associates will declare their AIBC associate status as well as whether they have liability insurance. The AIBC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct will be updated shortly.
• The new Public Outreach Committee has an approved Terms of Reference. Their intention is to draft guidelines during the summer and report back to the membership in the fall of 2015.
• Retired Architects are now able to sit on the Qualifications Committee per updated Terms of Reference.
• Council endorsed an honorary membership nomination to be voted on by membership at the Annual Meeting.
• Motions were passed for policy compliance, committee changes, examination results and register amendments as well as terms of reference.
• Read adopted 27 January 2015 council meeting minutes.
• The next official meeting of AIBC Council is scheduled for 02 May 2015 after the annual meeting. It will be held at the AIBC offices between 5-6 p.m.

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Addendum:

• On 20 March 2015, prior to the BC Wood Specialties Group Lunch and Learn Seminar, AIBC CEO Mark Vernon and AIBC Council President Scott Kemp, met with Vancouver Island members and associates.