Being secretary of the Board requires listening carefully during the Board meetings, taking notes, and then assisting staff in generating the formal minutes that are posted to the Registration Board section of the NCARB website for all stakeholders to read and review. They become the official record of the work of the Board, and as such, are a legally binding document. Thus recording motions and votes accurately is the most important aspect of the job. The staff assigned to the Board, specifically Kathy Hillegas, enable the secretary to also participate and deliberate carefully as a Board member, which is very important.

My participation as Board liaison on the Procedures and Documents Committee was extremely informative, as that committee worked diligently on a number of potential resolutions, many of which came before the Annual Meeting and were approved. Crafting resolutions is a bit like making sausage—many ideas and issues are “processed” and hashed out by the committee, until a sensible, intelligent motion is produced. And once again, Records Director Doug Morgan provided invaluable staff direction to the committee. He understands the ramification of each and every rule, regulation, and model law, and how potential changes will impact our profession and our organization.

For nearly a decade, architects on both sides of the border have benefited from the Inter-Recognition Agreement. Signed in 1994, the agreement established standards for mutual recognition based on education, internship, and examination requirements. However, a comprehensive review of each country’s current requirements revealed
the need for an updated agreement. The Mutual Recognition Agreement respects each country’s rigorous path
to licensure rather than dissecting the individual steps along the way. The new agreement, which must be signed
by at least 28 Member Boards and 6 Canadian Provincial Associations by 1 January 2014, serves as a bold model
for mutual recognition agreements in the future. At the time this report is submitted, we have 31 jurisdictions
on board.

The Member Board Executives Committee and the Procedures and Documents Committee identified outdated language in the previous Model Law and the Model Regulations, which required the physical application of the seal and signature. However, the use of electronic images has become common practice and is even required by governmental authorities in numerous jurisdictions. To reflect the evolving profession and align with current practice, the committees recommended that the language be modified to allow for the use of an electronic image of the seal and signature.

The Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) Committee concluded that the previous definition in the Certification Guidelines did not adequately define the depth and assessment required of the BEFA Program, which allows foreign architects to demonstrate competence to independently practice architecture. The change identified in the resolution provides a more accurate definition for the program requirements. The committee also recommended eliminating the list of specific categories covered by the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) in the definition of comprehension practice. This allows for flexibility for future changes to the divisions of the ARE without affecting the administration of BEFA, and the use of the term “comprehensive practice.”

The resolution ensures that the position is filled by a person who can contribute an outsider’s perspective and is not prejudiced or influenced by current involvement with NCARB or its Member Boards. The resolution also expands the ability of the Board to nominate someone who is familiar with architecture, such as a code official, but not engaged in or licensed to engage in the design of buildings or structures.

Members can stay up-to-date with board activities by visiting the Registration Board section of ncarb.org. Board minutes and BOD Briefs are uploaded to the website or sent to members after meetings—they are very informative, I urge everyone to be on the look out!