Advocating on Architects’ behalf
Model Architecture Policy Consultation Paper
The RAIC is working to create a blueprint for Canada’s built environment through a consultative process with all stakeholders in the design and construction industry. Beyond the importance of a Model Architecture Policy to the nation, the process will serve to stimulate dialogue about Canada’s built environment among the architectural profession, governments, the construction industry, and Canadians from all walks of life. It will also help focus on the achievement of excellence in the country’s architecture and urban design.
A draft of the policy is available on the RAIC web site.
SNC-Lavalin ProFac
SNC-Lavalin ProFac Inc. is the new service provider engaged by the federal government to manage federal properties which includes renovations and fit-ups up to $1 million.
This fall representatives from the RAIC, the Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada; the Interior Designers of Canada, the professional liability insurers; Public Works Government Services Canada, (PWGSC) and SNC-Lavalin ProFac Inc. met to discuss contract terms and the selection of consultants for PWGSC projects.
RAIC will be reporting further to its members on strides made working with its professional colleagues, PWGSC, and ProFac to resolve concerns in its monthly electronic Bulletin.
RAIC provides federal budget direction
In a letter to the Standing Committee on Finance, RAIC President Yves Gosselin, FIRAC, outlined several suggestions that could be included in the next federal budget to encourage heritage conservation and the design of a sustainable built-environment in Canada.
Membership
Membership renewals remind members of the value added by RAIC
As the year comes to a close the RAIC marks the occasion with the beginning of its annual membership drive.
It is a time when the Institute reviews the value it adds to members and renews its commitment to excellence in its programs and services to members, and to promoting excellence in the practice of the architectural profession.
A recognized designation
Clearly the most important value is that attached to the designation – a recognized symbol of professionalism – MRAIC (Member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada) and FRAIC (Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada). With the exception of the Affiliates and Student Associates, these designations are available to all membership categories – Architects, Interns or Intern Architects, Graduates, and Faculty.
As part of the RAIC drive to expose the profession to the public, all registered architects are encouraged to include the word Architect as part of their title on all written documents and business cards.
Membership has its privileges
* Access to quality Professional Development programs at discounted rates, RAIC Committees and Working Groups, practice support documents and international activities (such as Marmomacc and UIA Working Groups).
* A listing in both the printed and electronic RAIC Member Directory.
* Eligibility for nomination to the College of Fellows, after five consecutive years of membership in the RAIC (for registered architects only).
* Monthly electronic newsletters offering the latest information about the profession across Canada.
* Eligibility for the RAIC Awards of Excellence.
RAIC – the profession’s national voice
Advocacy – promoting architecture and architects to clients, the construction industry, governments and the general public. As part of this effort RAIC has introduced an annual magazine as an advocacy piece focused on issues of interest to the municipalities, academic institutions, school boards and health care sector.
Communications – a monthly electronic newsletter, Annual Report, quarterly Update in Canadian Architect, website and media relations.
Honours and Awards Programs – recognizing and celebrating architects and students of architecture every year.
Practice Support – offering standard contract documents and other materials such as supplements to the Canadian Handbook of Practice.
Professional Development – delivering quality courses across Canada and other support material.
Festivals of Architecture – an annual event where architects from across Canada get together to debate, discuss and celebrate.
External Relations – partnering or working with a wide range of national and international organizations.
RAIC Foundation – providing financial support to students and researchers.
RAIC Careers
The RAIC career site is powered by Brainhunter and now easier than ever to use and offered at a deep discount for members. Members voiced their concerns with the cost and the usability of the site and the RAIC responded to the challenge. Now available for only $30 to members – a huge savings from the original $160 – the site offers the security of private viewings of resumes and search capabilities focused on the profession.
For more information and to become a member visit www.raic.org or call Chantal Frdette at (613) 241-3600 ext. 219.
SURVEY SAYS …
The RAIC received 418 respondents to its Survey of members reviewing offerings and asking for thoughts on their importance. The questions yielded some interesting findings.
* Advocacy and influencing Public Policy ranked number one at 57 per cent in rating the overall importance of the RAIC’s major activities, followed closely by Practice Support resources at 54 per cent.
* The annual Festival rated an impressive 61 per cent in English and 50 per cent in French as “Important”.
* RAIC’s communications efforts were rated at 82 per cent as either Reasonable or Very Clear.
* In the French survey this figure rises to 89 per cent – with 57 per cent saying the monthly Bulletin is Excellent, and the Canadian Architect “En bref” Adequate at 57 per cent and Web site 50 per cent.
2006 RAIC Member Directory goes international
In addition to its online directory giving users and members up-to-the-minute listing information, the RAIC has also created a bound copy for distribution to institutional clients, its membership, government agencies and embassies and consulates around the world.
Each member received a copy in the mail and can obtain extra copies online in the Document Order Centre at no extra charge. Copies for non-members cost $150. An excellent example of the benefit of membership.
Festival 2006
Vancouver will be the place to be June 14-17 2006 as the RAIC joins together with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) for its annual Conference and Festival of Architecture. The theme this year is Habitat Reloaded – The Power of Architecture.
Making this an even bigger event than years past is the fact it is immediately followed by the UN Habitat World Urban Forum. In celebration, plans are underway for a Super-Saturday June 17, which will bring together attendees from the RAIC, AIBC, and the planners and landscape architects, who are also holding their national conferences at the same time.
The Festival as always will include continuing professional development courses, exhibitions of architectural work, social events and architectural tours of Vancouver’s attractions.
The RAIC Festival is an annual event that takes place in a different Canadian city each year offering delegates a chance
to exchange ideas and attend credited professional development courses, and listen to some of the professions’ most forward thinkers.
Just in time for the holidays
Looking for something for that special architect for the holidays? Check out the RAIC Document Order Centre for special offers – new publications not available in the stores and savings on books.
The truth about RAIC Intern Architect membership
The secret’s out! A recent consultation with intern architects and interns across the country has uncovered a great deal of confusion about the RAIC Intern membership category.
DID you know ….?
*THAT RAIC members who are Interns and Intern Architects now pay a special rate of only $75, and best of all, have all the same benefits as Full members, including the MRAIC designation.
– On top of that they often have special discounts for courses, the Festival and publications.
*THAT the web site contains a section pertaining to issues near and dear to Intern hearts – ARE study resources, and NCARB ARE study guides.
*THAT resums can be posted for free on the RAIC Career site.
Join RAIC and make your voice heard.
Affiliate category
The Affiliate category offers those without architectural training who support the architectural profession and would like to be informed and involved in the activities of the RAIC, an opportunity to become a member. This category is offered to individuals and corporations and in many cases extends to all employees of the company.
2005-2006 RAIC Board Members
President
Yves Gosselin, FIRAC
1st Vice-President and President-Elect
Vivian Manasc, FRAIC
2nd Vice-President and Treasurer
Kiyoshi Matsuzaki, FRAIC
(Regional Director for British Columbia/Yukon)
Immediate Past President
Christopher Fillingham, PP/FRAIC
Regional Directors
Leonard Rodrigues, FRAIC
(Alberta/NWT)
Andrew Wach, MRAIC
(Saskatchewan/Manitoba)
Ranjit (Randy) K. Dhar, FRAIC
(Ontario Southwest)
Ralph Wiesbrock, MRAIC
(Ontario North and East/Nunavut)
Paule Boutin, MIRAC
(Quebec)
Daniel Goodspeed, MRAIC
(Atlantic)
Chancellor of College of Fellows
Paul-Andr Ttrault, AP/FIRAC
Council of Canadian University
Schools of Architecture (CCUSA)
Georges Adamczyk
Editorial Committee
Ralph Wiesbrock, MRAIC
Franc D’Ambrosio, MRAIC
Robert Mellin, MRAIC
Stephen Pope, MRAIC
Executive Director
Jon Hobbs, MRAIC
Editor
Sylvie Powell
The national office of the RAIC is located at:
330-55 Murray St
Ottawa ON K1N 5M3
Tel.: (613) 241-3600
Fax: (613) 241-5750
E-mail: [email protected]