Let me begin by saying it is truly an honour to have been chosen president of this illustrious organization. In May, membership elected a new council, one that I already know shares a deep commitment to the interests of the public, the profession and the AIBC.
It is my pleasure to welcome to AIBC Council some new voices: Paula Grossman MAIBC and University of British Columbia representative Chris Macdonald FRAIC. As well, Silvie Gagnon IA.AIBC now represents the Intern Architects at council. Their perspectives and passion benefit us all.
It has been a tumultuous time of late for the institute. As AIBC Council embarks on the task of addressing the many and varied issues on its agenda, I believe it is worthwhile to remind all that the council is primarily accountable to the public, albeit in consultation with the members of our profession. As a profession, we have great privilege, granted by government, to oversee and regulate what we do.
With it come many responsibilities. Underlying it all, and guiding our decisions, is the concept of public interest. Architects have a social contract with the public. It is the role of the AIBC to ensure we meet those contractual obligations.
In essence, AIBC Council is the government of the profession, by the profession,
but for the public.
The Vancouver Board of Trade has a philosophy: “What is good for the
community is good for business”. This is a remarkable perspective given
that it comes from a business association. Surely it is reasonable to suggest
that, as a self-regulating profession empowered by the public, this notion
holds even more truth for the institute: what is good for the community is
good for the AIBC. As a mantra, it provides another reminder that self-interest,
perceived or real, is secondary to the public good … if it has a place
at all within our institute.
With that said, much has transpired over recent months. In summary:
2009 Annual Meeting
The 2009 Annual Meeting – carried out in two parts – was completed
on June 27. It was well attended and respectfully carried out. Council received
four separate motions from the floor, most pertaining to the process and direction
of council’s ongoing legislative renewal initiative (for details, visit
the AIBC’s Legislative Renewal web page). While some of the wording for
these non-binding motions is problematic, their basic intent remains clear.
Council readily agreed to seriously consider these motions in its ongoing deliberations on legislative renewal. Subsequently, four working groups were created, each with the responsibility for reviewing and assessing one of the motions. The submissions will receive further consideration at subsequent council meetings.
Legislative Renewal
The prospect of legislative renewal and a new provincial act to govern the
profession continues to be the major point of discussion and contention within
the ranks of the institute. Several members have taken the time to express
their heartfelt concerns about the direction in which the institute is heading.
Others have spoken passionately on behalf of proposed changes.
Motions and process aside, council has heard clearly the underlying message: members need to be better informed, more deeply involved, and more closely aligned with any decisions regarding legislative renewal. As a council, we would have it no other way. Despite best intentions, it is clear that not enough has been done to inform and educate members about the rationale for legislative renewal and the many complexities surrounding it.
In response, the new council is committed to doing a better job of sharing information, gathering feedback and otherwise engaging members in this important dialogue. In addition to providing new and better online information, we will be meeting with committees, focus groups and any other interested members. We will hold special information sessions and distribute clearer information on a regular basis. We will be soliciting your opinion on various aspects of the process through a series of surveys.
On a related note, your council also agreed to review the mandate of the task force responsible for moving the legislative renewal agenda forward. The first change is simple but meaningful; it is now known as the Task Force for Legislative Renewal, to better reflect the AIBC as the party driving the process.
Council Planning / Organizational Priorities
The time has come for council to step back and reassess where we’re going,
and how best to get there.
Shortly after the election, the new council spent two-and-a-half days engaged
in intense, focused planning. Council members looked back at what had been
achieved in the previous 12 months, and what had not. It also identified a
sizeable list of issues and factors, both internal and external, that have
impacted our ability to reach our goals; such things as ineffectual two-way
communications, limited awareness and understanding of matters at hand, government
trends and priorities, confusion about the AIBC’s public interest mandate,
and the need to reestablish the institute’s primary role – that
of a regulatory body.
From this session emerged a long list of challenges, initiatives, hopes and
wishes – far more than could be accomplished in a 12-month period. Instead,
council settled on four clear priorities for the year ahead:
• Further resolution of the extensive policy review process begun last year;
• An improved registration process, including continued development of competency-based standards of admission and scopes of practice for both members and associates;
• A refocusing of legislative renewal efforts with an emphasis on member awareness and participation; and
• Increased engagement with membership and the public.
Council is confident that these goals are both well-placed and attainable, and will focus its efforts on these strategic areas. In doing so, it is also our intention to build – or perhaps rebuild – the culture of the institute. This includes improve the way we do business, and the way we communicate with our members.
Engagement
If we are to achieve our goals, it is essential that we engage in frank, open,
constructive and respectful discussions concerning how best to serve the
public. A key to all of this is engagement: your engagement, as informed
and participating members of this organization. Increasingly, we will be
seeking your input in ways big and small.
In turn, I would ask that all members commit to making yourselves knowledgeable and informed on the matters at hand, and to making your thoughts and concerns known. You are invited – encouraged – to be part of the process. After all, we are in this together, with a shared commitment to the profession in the interest of the public.
Leadership
After much consideration and deliberation, AIBC Council decided in late June
to make a significant organizational change by replacing the executive director
Dorothy Barkley had been the AIBC’s executive director for nearly 10
years. This difficult decision in no way takes away from the valuable and
significant contributions she made to the institute during that time. However,
it does reflect the reality that we are at a critical time in the evolution
of the AIBC. The profession has changed significantly in recent years, and
so have the needs of the institute.
Michael Ernest MAIBC, the Director of Professional Practice, has assumed the position of Interim Executive Director. We are most fortunate to have someone of Michael’s ability and regard within our own ranks to fill this crucial role.
This is a big change, and an important one. Fortunately, the AIBC has a strong and professional team of employees that we know, under his leadership, will continue to provide the support and services our members have come to expect.
Moving Forward
Architects and related professionals have a unique opportunity for leadership,
one that extends beyond the built environment. I would suggest that opportunity
has never been greater than it is today.
Architects are builders. We build structures and bring ideas to life. We build
consensus, and create unity with vision. As a profession, we build community
through our culture of integration, our ability to look outward, and our commitment
to collaboration.
This organization is your organization. Its success is dependent upon how well we work together. It is therefore incumbent upon all of us to listen, learn, exchange ideas and offer guidance. There is ample room for differing opinions. There is no place, however, for divisiveness. In other words, together we must reaffirm a culture of open and honest communications in an environment of mutual respect.
As your chair, I am committed to that. As a council and as an organization, we need to accept all points of view, and, once a decision is made – hopefully with a consensus – we need to pull together in mutual support. After all, we are builders, the architects of our own destiny … n’est-ce pas?
Pierre E. Gallant MAIBC MRAIC
President – AIBC Council
Architectural Institute of British Columbia