Robert M. Calvani, NCARB, AIA

2016–2017 Secretary

Officer Reports:

How did your involvement with the New Mexico Board of Examiners for Architects, as well as numerous NCARB committees, prepare you for your role as secretary?

The office of secretary is about communication and being transparent with NCARB’s membership. Being on a state board gave me experience with NCARB’s necessary and important communications with our board—and every jurisdiction—regarding policy, model law, legislative developments, and other issues, as well as the impact these have on our board. Being familiar with NCARB’s regular communication methods and the needs of Member Boards provided valuable insight into maintaining open lines of discussion. In addition, being chair of the Examination Committee and various subcommittees gave me experience keeping in constant communication with members and subcommittees regarding their charges, tasks, and progress.

 

You’re also the founder and president of your own firm, NCA Architects, LLC. How does your practice there affect your work at NCARB?

As with most architectural practices,we have emerging professionals completing the Architectural Experience Program™ (AXP™)and the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®). We have an ongoing relationship with the local university and it’s National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) accredited degree program. My involvement with NCARB has shown me how integral and important the work we do at NCARB is to the profession throughout every career stage.

 

You were theFY17 Board liaison to the Procedures and Documents Committee. What role does the committee play in NCARB’s processes, and why is their work important?

The Procedures and Documents (P&D) Committee is made up of all six regional chairs. Proposed resolutions from all active NCARB committees come to the P&D committee to be analyzed (with the assistance of NCARB staff), revised,and potentially put forth to the membership for discussion and final vote. The system is efficient, transparent,and gives the membership a prominent place at the table.

 

You hosted a panel of Think Tank members at our 2017 Annual Business Meeting. Can you share some highlights?

I had the opportunity to host members of the 2016 Think Tank, who presented several ideas about celebrating the value of licensure and creating tools that could strengthen the relationship between candidates and supervisors—an area NCARB intends to focus on in FY18. The Think Tank also suggested how NCARB can better reach and engage the next generation of architects and encourage licensure.

The Think Tank has always been of great interest to me because my daughter was part of the 2014Think Tank. I was and still am impressed by the group’s energy and ideas relevant to the perspective of emerging professionals. Being a supervisor, mentor, employer,and regulator to this group, I am encouraged that the Think Tank is giving NCARB great tools and ideas to make us better in those roles.

 

NCARB didn’t move any resolutions forward in FY17. Can you talk a little about why, and how that will affect NCARB’s work in FY18?

After several years of developing updates to all of our key programs, NCARB’s focus this year was on implementing those changes. We also took this time as an organization to evaluate the state of the profession, identify new and ongoing initiatives, and refresh our plan of action for the years ahead. The P&D Committee did put forth one draft resolution for FY17. However, after receiving feedback from our Member Boards, the Board of Directors decided not to move it forward for a vote at the Annual Business Meeting. The absence of resolutions in FY17 provided our membership with time to further cultivate the efforts coming up the pipeline and engage with thought leaders.

As NCARB moves forward into FY18, our volunteer committees will continue to collaborate with NCARB staff, our collateral organizations, and members of the profession—including architects and individuals still pursuing their license—to push forward new resolutions. We also expect to see the results of the work contributed by our Ethics Task Force and Resiliency Work Group as they finalize their recommendations in the coming year.

 

How can members and the public stay informed about Board meetings?

Members can stay up-to-date on Board activities by visiting the Registration Board section of
My NCARB. Board minutes and BOD Briefs are uploaded to the website or sent to members after meetings. The public can find the latest news on NCARB’s programs on ncarb.org and our social media channels.