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Volunteer for an OAA Committee in 2023

Submit Your Expression of Interest by October 17

Volunteers are important to the work of the OAA, with a diversity of voices, opinions, skills, and knowledge critical to the decision-making process.

The OAA is currently welcoming applications for 11 Committees with vacancies for the 2023–2025 term:

The Association recognizes the inherent benefit of equity, diversity, and inclusion; it encourages the active participation of all members in its volunteer opportunities, and commits to having Committees representative of the profession now and in the future.

Those interested in serving on any of the following Committees are encouraged to complete the Expression of Interest form, and email it with a current CV to the appropriate OAA staff member listed by Monday, October 17.

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee works to strengthen OAA programs and activities by enhancing two-way communication to internal and external audiences, facilitating member engagement, and encouraging public outreach. The group provides input, feedback, and direction on the implementation of communication strategies to staff, OAA Committees, and Council.

Meeting approximately seven times per year (virtually or in-person), the Communications Committee reviews and makes recommendations on requests for OAA Public Awareness program funding and helps allocate Special Project Funding for the Local Architectural Societies. It provides high-level oversight and direction for the OAA Conference and also offers guidance for the awards programs and publications.

The Committee is currently seeking to fill three vacancies, set to begin January 2023 for a three-year term by an Architect, Licensed Technologist OAA, or Intern Architect. Contact the Erik Missio, Communications Manager, at erikm@oaa.on.ca with your CV and completed Expression of Interest form by Monday, October 17.

Complaints Committee

 A statutory body established under the Architects Act, the Complaints Committee considers and investigates complaints made by the public or OAA members regarding the conduct, competency, or actions of any member licensed by the OAA or holder of a Certificate of Practice or Temporary Licence.

The Complaints Committee meets as required, with the majority of meetings held via the virtual Zoom platform. For each matter under consideration, it is divided into case teams, with everyone expected to review the prepared case documents prior to the meeting and participate in deliberations. These deliberations determine if the case is to be dismissed, referred to the Discipline Committee, or receive remedial action as appropriate. All Complaints Committee matters are strictly confidential.

Architects or Licensed Technologists OAA with several years of experience in a broad range of architectural activities interested in joining the Complaints Committee in January 2023 for a three-year term are invited to submit their CV and completed Expression of Interest form to Complaints@oaa.on.ca by Monday, October 17.

Comprehensive Education Committee

 

The Comprehensive Education Committee’s (CEC) mandate is to oversee matters related to the entire spectrum of education, of both the public and of architectural practitioners, from primary and secondary education to higher education. For practitioners this will include internship, licensure, and the various phases of practice, as well as mentorship and retirement.  The CEC provides thoughtful and responsible consideration of the complex and rapid changes in the field of architecture and the broader social context within which it exists—specifically in the field of education, continuing education, and professional development.

The Comprehensive Education Committee is seeking to fill six vacancies to begin January 2023 for a three-year period. The Committee will meet (in person or electronically) approximately seven times per year. Submit your CV and Expression of Interest form to Ellen Savitsky, Manager, Education and Development at ellens@oaa.on.ca by Monday, October 17.

Discipline Committee

 

The Discipline Committee is a statutory body established under Section 33 of the Architects Act to hear allegations of professional misconduct against a licensed member of the Association or a holder of a certificate of practice or a holder of a temporary licence. The Act requires members of the Discipline Committee have a minimum of 10 years of experience in the practice of architecture post licensure with the OAA.

Committee membership involves sitting as a member of a Tribunal selected for a particular matter, hearing evidence presented by legal counsel to the Association and legal counsel to the member, and rendering decisions.

The Discipline Committee is seeking experienced OAA licensed members to begin January 2023 for a three-year period. Submit your CV and completed Expression of Interest form to Gail Hanselman, in the Office of the Registrar at gailh@oaa.on.ca by Monday, October 17.

Experience Requirements Committee

 

 The Experience Requirements Committee (ERC) is a statutory body established under Section 13 of the Architects Act. It reviews architectural experience for those applicants ready to apply for licence who request a review, or that are referred by the Registrar. 

The Committee is empowered to determine whether applicants have met the experience requirements prescribed by the Regulations for the issuance of the licence; these legislated requirements are specific to the standards of skill and knowledge considered necessary for the practice of architecture in Ontario.

The Experience Requirements Committee is seeking new OAA licensed members to begin January 2023 for a three-year period. Submit your CV and completed Expression of Interest form to Camelia Bostan in the Office of the Registrar at cameliab@oaa.on.ca by Monday, October 17.

Interns Committee

 

The Interns Committee reports to the OAA Council about issues of importance to Intern Architects and Student Associates, including their integration into the profession and strengthening the pathway to licensure. The Committee meets every two months for approximately two hours.

Current vacancies are open to licensed members and Intern Architects (three-year term) as well as Student Associates (one-year term) to begin in January 2023. Submit your CV and completed Expression of Interest form to Lashmi Ollivierre in the Office of the Registrar at lashmio@oaa.on.ca by Monday, October 17.

Practice Resource Committee

 

The Practice Resource Committee (PRC) is a non-statutory Committee that reviews regulatory and business-related practice issues that impact day-to-day architectural practice. This includes material for Regulatory Notices, Practice Tips, OAA contracts, and practice matters with a view to best practices. PRC also develops practice-related content for the OAA Website and other platforms. Members are expected to write content based on their insight and experience, offering lessons learned that might be useful to their peers. First-hand experience in a broad range of architectural practice activities provides the appropriate background for the work of the Committee. Between six and eight meetings a year are held at OAA Headquarters or virtually, with email correspondence occurring throughout the year as necessary.

Architects or Licensed Technologists OAA interested in a three-year term, and Intern Architects or recently licensed members interested in a two-year term, beginning in January 2023, can submit their CV and completed Expression of Interest form to Rex Shettlewood, Project Coordinator, Practice Advisory Services, at rexs@oaa.on.ca by Monday, October 17.

Practice Review Committee

 

In accordance with Section 52 of Regulation 27 under the Architects Act, the Practice Review Committee is responsible for overseeing the administration of the OAA’s Practice Consultation program on behalf of Council.

Architects or Licensed Technologists OAA interested in a three-year term on the Committee beginning in January 2023 can submit their CV and completedExpression of Interest form to Rex Shettlewood, Project Coordinator, Practice Advisory Services, at rexs@oaa.on.ca by Friday, October 7.

Policy Advocacy Coordination Team (PACT)

The Policy Advocacy Coordination Team (PACT) coordinates how to address specific issues and concerns that are political in nature—that is, require discussion with various levels of governments. It identifies emerging issues in the industry specifically related to the practice of architecture in Ontario and coordinates the advancement of those issues in order that practices have a fair and transparent condition in which to operate.

Meeting six to eight times per year virtually or in person, the Committee coordinates existing and future OAA Committees' and Sub-Committees' work toward achieving maximum effectiveness through the monitoring of priorities and inter-communication. It identifies methods of gathering information about issues, advancing concerns and initiatives to governments and the membership.

Architects or Licensed Technologists OAA who would like to be considered for a term on PACT, beginning in January 2023, can submit their CV and completed Expression of Interest form to Sara Trotta, Policy Analyst, at sarat@oaa.on.ca by Monday, October 17.

Registration Committee

 

The Registration Committee is the statutory committee under the Architects Act responsible for holding a hearing and making a determination where:

- the Registrar serves notice to a party that their application for licence or Certificate of Practice is being refused or their licence or Certificate of Practice is being revoked; and

- the applicant or OAA licensed professional requests a hearing before the Registration Committee.

The Committee meets as needed and does not hold regular meetings, but there is training by outside legal counsel to ensure all are well-informed about the process.

Architects and Licensed Technologists OAA interested in pursuing a three-year term that begins in January 2023 can submit their CV and completed Expression of Interest form to Gail Hanselman in the Office of the Registrar at gailh@oaa.on.ca by Monday, October 17.

Sub-Committee on Building Codes and Regulations (SCOBCAR)

 

 SCOBCAR was created under the OAA Practice Resource Committee to re-establish and maintain the architectural profession’s leadership role in the development of building codes and regulations, ensuring that the public interest and safety is paramount in the governing codes and that the architectural profession continues to be solely responsible for its own self-regulation.

The Sub-Committee typically meets at OAA Headquarters or virtually four times a year, with additional meetings as needed to respond to code-change proposals. Materials are circulated for individual review prior to the meetings, with email correspondence occurring throughout the year as necessary.

Architects or Licensed Technologists OAA interested in a three-year term on SCOBCAR, beginning in January 2023, can submit their CV and completed Expression of Interest form to Rex Shettlewood, Project Coordinator, Practice Advisory Services, at rexs@oaa.on.ca by Monday, October 17.


Sustainable Built Environments Committee (SBEC) 

The OAA’s Sustainable Built Environments Committee (SBEC) is established to serve in an advisory role to the Council of the OAA regarding matters of sustainable design and environmental issues as they relate to the design industry and building industry. The Committee defines, analyses, reviews, and assesses areas on which the Association can focus in order to demonstrate leadership from the architectural profession on this area of practice which is of paramount importance.

The Committee meets approximately six times a year (with a summer hiatus) and liaises with other professions and organizations with common interests and goals in promoting sustainable built environments and adopting the 2030 Challenge.

Architects or Licensed Technologists OAA interested in a three-year term, beginning in January 2023, can submit their CV and completed Expression of Interest form to Sara Trotta, Policy Analyst, at sarat@oaa.on.ca  by Monday, October 17.

 


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