Member Board Outreach

NCARB holds regular forums and meetings to connect and engage with each jurisdiction. Keeping an open line of communication allows us to stay on top of changing rules and regulations, as well as identify ways to assist our members.

• During FY16, CEO Michael Armstrong visited 14 Member Boards to meet with jurisdictional leadership and stay on top of important issues.
• Prior to the start of the 2016 Regional Summit, Member Board Executives (MBEs) from over 40 jurisdictions gathered for their annual MBE Workshop. Key sessions in this year’s workshop included reports on key issues from each jurisdiction present, MBE roundtable discussions, and an assessment of the key services offered by the Council to Member Boards.
• NCARB Member Board Executive Director Kingsley Glasgow instituted and led three MBE Engagement Sessions held throughout the year. These sessions served to strengthen the MBE network and encourage mentorship among MBEs, as well as identify new ways NCARB can serve its members. NCARB also provided Member Boards with the opportunity to provide additional feedback through virtual meetings. These conference calls allowed
  for more dialogue between jurisdictions regarding resolutions and other important
  licensure issues.

Public Member Task Force

At the 2015 Annual Business Meeting, Member Boards voted to modify the qualifications for the public director of the NCARB Board of Directors. Going forward, the role will be filled by a public member from one of the 54 Member Boards. Throughout FY16, the Public Member Task Force developed the selection process for the public member, who will further represent the public’s interest and bring an objective view to the table.

American Institute of Architects (AIA)

AIA and NCARB often work hand-in-hand on several initiatives. Collaboration opportunities this year included the annual AIA Grassroots conference, the biannual AIA-NCARB Leadership Summits, the AIA “Big Sibs” meetings, the NCARB Licensing Advisors Summit supported by the AIA, senior staff informational meetings, and the biannual Five Collaterals meetings.

In May 2016, NCARB joined thousands of architects and licensure candidates who gathered in Philadelphia for the AIA National Convention. We hosted two workshops, one on ethics and one on ARE 5.0, as well as a pre-meeting outreach event. Our booth was busy all three days, providing attendees with insight into our programs and services. Major announcements were also made at the event regarding the streamlining of NCARB’s fees for two key programs and findings from the 2016 edition of NCARB by the Numbers. NCARB CEO Michael Armstrong participated in an interview with Architect Magazine on updates to the path to licensure, as well as a panel discussion about the future of architectural education.

National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)

In FY16, NCARB and NAAB partnered on several initiatives, including the reassessment of the NCARB Award, the addition of new schools to the EESA Evaluators Handbook, and the Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL), and the biannual Five Collaterals meetings. Two NCARB Board members—Past President Dale McKinney, FAIA, NCARB, and Region 3 Director Alfred Vidaurri Jr., FAIA, NCARB, AICP—participated in an advisory committee to assist with the redesign of NAAB programs. In addition, NAAB leaders attended the NCARB Board’s December meeting to exchange ideas, respond to questions, and address evolving programs. The NAAB was also integral in the development of the 2016 NCARB by the Numbers, providing us with important data on student enrollment and graduation.

Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA)

This year, NCARB worked with ACSA to continue to evolve the path to licensure for architectural students, collaborating on programs like the IPAL initiative, the NCARB Award, and NCARB’s experience program. In addition, the 2015 NCARB Award recipients—Mississippi State University, Philadelphia University, and the University of Florida—were announced at the ACSA Administrators Conference in November. ACSA leaders attended the NCARB Board’s September meeting to exchange ideas, respond to questions, and address evolving programs. NCARB leadership also attended ACSA’s Annual Meeting in March.

American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS)

NCARB engaged with the AIAS on a number of important initiatives in FY16. Key among these was establishing NCARB’s partnership of AIAS’ Freedom by Design program, which seeks to improve accessible design in underserved communities. During the 2016-2017 school year, NCARB will support Freedom by Design through a series of grants and mentorship opportunities.

FY16 Committee Reports

Regional Summit

Representatives from each region gathered in Savannah, GA, for the annual Regional Summit in March. Attendees reviewed drafts of the FY16 resolutions, participated in a panel discussion about the NC Dental Board Supreme Court decision, and received the results of the 2015
NCARB Member Board Survey. In addition, new MBMs and MBEs joined NCARB staff for an orientation session.

fy16 Regional Reports