2010/2011 AIBC Council Priorities and Working Groups

Following an extensive planning session, the newly-elected AIBC Council has identified four main initiatives for the coming year. Each is of significance to the future directions of the institute and the well-being of the profession.

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Motions from the Floor at the 2010 AIBC Annual Meeting

During the Members’ Forum portion of the AIBC Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 8, 2010, nine Motions from the Floor (MFTF) were moved, seconded and voted upon by those members in attendance. Four were carried while the other five did not obtain the necessary votes (Note: the complete text of all nine MFTF can be found in the draft minutes of the 2010 Annual Meeting). Three additional motions were submitted too late for review during the forum. However, the council has committed to reviewing those motions and responding at a future date.

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2010 AIBC Annual Meeting

The 91st Annual Meeting of the AIBC was conducted successfully on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Draft minutes of that meeting are now available on-line. Members are encouraged to read these minutes, bearing in mind that, as per standard procedure, a motion to officially adopt them will be made at the next annual meeting, during the AIBC/RAIC Festival from May 24 through May 27, 2011. In the interest of providing some key information quickly, especially for those who were unable to attend, here are some highlights. Note that additional, related information is available in the 2009 Annual Report.

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Alert: Mandatory Training Programs

Recently, the AIBC has heard from firms concerned about the marketing of certain occupational safety and health training or professional development offerings. In at least one case, high-pressure tactics were used to induce a firm into signing on, including untrue statements that the training was mandatory under provincial labour laws. The institute has followed up with WorkSafe BC, which has confirmed that one or more private sector service providers may be misleading businesses into signing up for training programs that are not mandated by law. The matter is now being investigated on a national level by occupational health and safety authorities.

Members and firms are reminded to be wary of exaggerated claims made by any potential service provider, and to follow up with the proper authority or seek independent advice to confirm claims regarding mandatory training of any kind.

Architectural Walking Tours

This summer, discover the architectural details of B.C.'s two urban centres through the AIBC architectural walking tours. Six scenic tours are available in both Vancouver and Victoria from July 2 - August 28, 2010. More...

Continuing Education Annual Deadline

The end of the Continuing Education System reporting period was June 30, 2010. Architects, building designers, residential designers and architectural technologists with a registration date prior to July 1, 2009 were required to report 18 learning units by the end of June, of which at least eight were core learning units.

Thanks to all who have diligently reported their learning activities; it is expected that the high rate of compliance in previous reporting periods will continue. The Professional Development department is currently working on reviewing the high volume of submissions that inevitably arrive at the end of the reporting period. Final transcripts will be mailed out in August. Registrants who are not compliant with the requirements of the Continuing Education System are subject to a $750 fine.

As of July 1, 2010, all self-reports of learning activities must be reported online. If you need any assistance with online reporting, please contact Professional Development Coordinator Catherine Bolter (cbolter@aibc.ca) or Professional Development Coordinator Aleta Cho (acho@aibc.ca).

Competency Standard and Assessment

Over the past two years the AIBC has done considerable work in developing an outcomes-based competency standard and assessment methodologies for registration as an architect. These standards and methodologies work in concert with the existing “credentials-based” system, providing additional tools for assessment of candidate architects applying for registration under sections 36 and 37 of the Architects Act. At its September meeting, AIBC Council formally adopted these standards for use. To view the document, click here.

The standards will be used to help assess foreign-trained and broadly experienced architects applying through the alternative qualifications provisions of the current Architects Act. The AIBC has been assessing and registered such candidates for many years, and has been developing better tools for assessment over that time. These standards are just the latest in a series of refinements to existing measures. It should also be pointed out that this is very much a “living document” which will evolve as the practice of architecture evolves and our understanding of competency-based assessment deepens. To that end, members are invited to continue to review the document and share their insights and comments through Jerome Marburg, Director of Registration/Licensing and General Counsel.

These new standards are the product of a great deal of work undertaken by the AIBC’s Registration and Licensing Board and its Qualifications Committee. They are also the result of extensive consultation with practitioners, academics and clients. Recently, each AIBC member was also invited to review and comment on the document through a comprehensive on-line survey. The institute wishes to thank those who took the time to complete the survey.

Jerome Marburg, LL.B. MBA
Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel

Online Feature:

Are you a foreign trained architect who wants to register in BC. We can help. More...

The next series of Pram in the Hall interviews are now available on the AIBC web site. The Pram in the Hall series offers personal perspectives on the challenges faced by architects in combining work life with parenting. More...

AIBC Summer Hours

Please note that the AIBC will be on summer hours during the months of July and August. Office hours are Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Regular hours will resume in September.