AIA Canada Society held their inaugural Annual General Meeting of members on Nov 22nd. The board officers filed reports of the chapter progress as required by BC Societies Act. under which AIA Canada Society is registered.
Working relationship with RAIC
President Som Bose AIA and Treasurer Stuart Howard AIA of the AIA Canada Society Chapter held consultations with Giovanni Boniface from RAIC to explore hosting events jointly. The early discussions were encouraging and the Board is supportive of hosting events with RAIC provided it meets the members’ requirements to achieve continuing education and chapter visibility. The incoming board has agreed to build upon this relationship and perhaps host a conference jointly with RAIC.
Relationship with US Commercial Office
In October, Vice President Stephanie Calvet AIA and Secretary Reza Asadikia, AIA Int. Associate met with U.S. Commercial Service Officers Nathan Donohue (Deputy Principal Commercial Officer) and Shweta Nagpal (Commercial Specialist) in Toronto, whose mandate is to support trade between Canada and the US.
The introductory meeting was an opportunity to explore opportunities for collaboration. AIA Canada learned more about the U.S. Consulate General’s mandate, and the resources and support it can offer. The Officers discussed potential introductions of US companies and industry partners engaged in trade/design & construction between Canada and the US. Commercial Services officers posted to provinces across the country can also serve as resources to the AIA Canada Society Chapter’s lead members. The Chapter will maintain active contact with the US Commercial Services to secure sponsorships from US companies operating in Canada.
Technology
Recently the Board made investments in technology to facilitate communication and remote meeting platforms viz. Constant Contact and GotoMeeting. These investments in technology will allow the chapter in delivery of Continuing Education to remote locations and communicate with members. The meeting platform also allowed the AIA Canada Society chapter to hold their Annual General meeting with remote member attendees in different geographical location.
CEU
A seminar by Big Ass Fans (BAF) is scheduled for 26th November (1:30pm EST) for all members to attend via webinar. The upcoming presentation is about energy efficient conditioned spaces and it is 1 AIA credit with HSW. Members can also use the credit towards Canadian provincial license Continuing Education.
AIA Canada Society Elections:
In accordance with the terms and conditions for AIA Canada 2019 elections, as approved by the Chapter's Board of Directors, a call for nomination was released via email on September 2, 2019, to members listed in the directory available to us at the time. The call for nomination was later posted on the Chapter's website. The original deadline for submission (September 23, 2019) was further extended by two weeks to October 7, 2019. This extension was approved by the majority of board members via email. The intent for the extension was to provide more time for potential applicants.
By 7 PM EST on October 7, 2019, the following applications were received:
1. Adam Pantelimon Intl. Assoc. AIA for the post of President. Completeness review was conducted and the application is deemed as complete.
2. Lara Presber AIA for the post of Vice President, Completeness review was conducted and the application is deemed as complete.
No applications were submitted for the roles of Secretary or the Treasurer.
In the subsequent board meeting on Oct 18th 2019, through acclamation Adam Pantelimon Intl. Assoc. AIA was elected as the President and Lara Presber AIA was elected as the Vice President for the term 2020-2022.
To enable filling the positions of Secretary and Treasurer, a search committee was setup by the Board to look for candidates for these remaining two unfulfilled positions. Subsequently, the Board was provided responses from two member candidates for these two positions.
The Board unanimously voted to appoint the following members:
1. Jonathan J. Fulcher, AIA for the position of Secretary
2. Onah Jung AIA to the position of the Treasurer
The AIA Canada Society Board appreciates the volunteers who have stepped forward to participate as officers of the Chapter as we understand the toil, sacrifice and hours that is required to keep the Chapter efforts ongoing. On behalf of the Board, the President Som Bose AIA welcomed the new officers to the board and wished them success in the future years of operation. AIA Canada Society members are encouraged to reach out to the new officers.
