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.