Topics & Questions for the round table discussion

So I'll start with the topics & questions for the round table discussion...

- NCARB has a new Board of Directors for the fical year of 2009, who is the regional director now for the state of Washington?
- In regards to direct registration, how long is the trial period?
- Has a test group been identified for the survey?
- Will the results be public?

Wednesday's Gathering with Joe Vincent

I have invited Stan Bowman who is our lobbyist for WA State. He was pleased to be invited and will be attending the event.
Hope to see many of you there.
Kate

So everyone is just thinking of stuff to write ? Right?

I gave everyone a chance, so here's my thoughts on the state issue. At Face value it seems that the state just wants to do the logical thing and eliminate the extra steps it takes in doing things like reporting test scores, so instead of getting a grade from NCARB and a grade from the state at the same time after taking the ARE, you just get one pass rate from NCARB, and NCARB would let the state know when you are done. Which is about as much as I understand at this moment. At face value this seems very resonable, and if all things are fair and equal I think this is a reasonable step.

But things are not fair and equal when it comes to NCARB reporting something, like test completions and such. A quick browse through the ARE forums (@ www.AREForum.org ) would give you a lot of instant examples of many people that are issued a lisence from their respective states after ARE completion before NCARB has even updated the "test complete" status. When it comes to NCARB and reporting things I feel that the state could stand to do a far better job at reporting test completion, and until NCARB proves that it could actually report accuratly within a reasonable (3 to 6 weeks maybe?) I think the state needs to keep on doing what its doing.

What does everyone else think? What about the bigger picture? What do we discuss about our ongoing NCARB frustrations? Does Joe and the Department of Licensing see the same stuff that we do? or does NCARB just have a particular bane against interns only?

July 30th 5:30 Joe Vincent Round Table Discussion

In case you have not heard, the State of Washington is in negotiations to pass control of licensing procedure over to NCARB. Per conversations at the July 15th Emerging Leaders lunch, many of us have concerns over this announcement.

Joe Vincent, from the State, has said that the change over will pull the Board staff out of the exam management portion of an applicant’s licensing process. The decision was made in an effort to simplify the process for the applicant, facilitate more timely score reporting, and remove processes handled by Board staff where there was no demonstrated value added.

Many of us have stated this is eventually a good idea, but right now NCARB has not proven to us with the IDP process that they are prepared to take on this added responsibility.

With the help of James Mill, we have arranged for Joe Vincent, from the State, to come to Tacoma to participate in a round table discussion. This is a great chance for all of us to let the State know how we feel and to voice our concerns. They are very interested in hearing from us as young professionals. Joe is going to invite other Board members to the discussion.

Please post topics you would like to discuss on the blog page; this can include good and bad experiences with NCARB, the licensing process, etc. I would like to send Joe some comments before the round table.

This change will affect both those of us going through the IDP process as well as ARE exams.

At last week’s AIASWW board meeting I presented our concerns over the State/NCARB partnership, and our local chapter stands behind us. The Board recommended we write one letter that we all stand behind with both our signature and the boards’ president’s signature.

When: Wednesday July 30th, 5:30 pm
Where: McGranahan Architects 1st Floor Conference Room

NCARB the State and YOU

So from yesterday's meeting I was inspired to shoot Joe Vincent an email and try to get some concrete facts on what is exactly going on with the whole NCARB/DOL thing.

I got a great response back.....

Hello James.

Yes that was me at the Tacoma meeting, happy to be there and I look forward to future sessions. Speaking of which, your inquiry leads me to think perhaps a discussion is in order about our relationship/partnership with NCARB. I can only speculate that your question stems from the Boards recent decision to utilize NCARB’s direct registration process, which pulls the Board staff out of the exam management portion of an applicant’s licensing process. This decision was made in an effort to simplify the process for the applicant, facilitate more timely score reporting, and remove processes handled by Board staff where there was no demonstrated value added.

I recognize that these discussions and the ultimate decision to make the change where made without the direct input of those of you potentially affected. The Board is very interested in hearing from our emerging professionals on any topic and would encourage anyone to attend our open public Board meetings. We are also open to invitation to your gatherings for discussions – I’ll even come if no appetizers are served! (however, the last ones were quite tasty!)

The Board has no plans to consider moving any licensing responsibilities to NCARB and have undertaken the direct registration service on a trial basis and it is only available to applicants qualified with a NAAB degree. This might be a good opportunity for us to identify some of our interns that will be taking this path and get some feedback about their experience.

Please give me a call and we can discuss more and explore other areas of interest to your group and see if we can’t get together.

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Joe

So it sounds like they just are thinking of eliminating the middleman when the testing thing comes around. Sounds like Joe is more then willing to see what it is we have to say....

So what is it exactly that we want to say about this?

Habitat Contruction Calendar @ Reynolds Park

July 19
Site managers - Carl Duester & Guy Nielsen
Pringle Family - Drywalling
Sanchez Family - Drains & Downspouts
Suarez Family - Interior Trim Painting
Howard Family - Drains & Downspouts
Nguyen Family - Rough Plumbing

July 26
Site managers - Carl Duester & Guy Nielsen
Pringle Family - Exterior Painting
Sanchez Family - Utilities
Suarez Family - Punchlist
Howard Family - Utilities
Nguyen Family - Drywalling

July 15th Meeting Agenda

Emerging Leaders Lunch
July 15, 2008; 12:00 pm
The Swiss

Discussion of Mission Statement:
“The Emerging Leaders Group was established by young intern architects of the AIA Southwest Chapter with an objective of individual development as well as preparing for future leadership roles in the architecture profession and community.”

Discussion of Goals:
- Promote involvement in the architecture profession and the community.
- A foundation for professional and educational development.
- Provide the resources and support for interns on the path to licensure.

Blog Site Discussion
• Has anyone visited the site? Thoughts? Is it working?

Announcements
AIASWW
• The 2nd annual Night at the Movies has been announced. It is a showing of the documentary Helvetica at the Blue Mouse Theater on July 30th at 6:00 pm. There will be a reception with beer and wine as well as a speaker who will discuss the significance of the Helvetica font.

NCARB
• 6 Month Rule passed. Ha to present.

Associates
• There is an ARE study session on July 24th which is a follow up for the Mechanical/Electrical lecture.
• The next ARE lecture is August 7th. The topic is Pre-Design, lecturers are Darren Dickerson and Joan Rumsey. Remember lectures and sessions are free to AIA members.

Architectural Tours
• Next tour is August 5th – the Pierce County Maintenance Facility Building

AIASWW Lunch and Learn Series
• Next lecture is July 17th given by Berger Partnership and the topic is Green Roofs.
• Free to AIA member, lunch is included, $10 to non members, 1 learning credit

Habitat for Humanity
• There is currently no scheduled work day for July. Is anyone interested in working either July 19th or 26th? August work day: 2nd? 9th? 16th? 23rd? 30th?

Summer Happy Hour
• August? Location?

Upcoming AIASWW events and volunteer opportunities
Great ways to earn IDP volunteer credits. You can volunteer the day of the event or to be on a committee.
• Honor Awards – contact Gerry Pless at TCF Architecture (gerry@tcfarchitecture.com)
• AIASWW Golf Tournament – September 5th at the Classic – contact Jerry Isaksen at Zenczak & Partners Architects (studio@zpaaia.com) & Cheryl Zoltak
• AIASWW Auction – November 21st at the Landmark Grand Ballroom – contact BZ Zenczak at Zenczak & Partners (studio@zpaaia.com), Randy Cook at TCF Architecture (randy@tcfarchitecture.com)

The Regional Director, Pat Onishi, will be visiting our area on July 16th. He will be at the AIASWW Board Meeting if anyone is interested in meeting him. This month’s meeting will begin at 4:30 pm. The scholarship winners will also be in attendance.

Big Improvement

Hi everyone. I just wanted to send some kudos for switching to this site. I think it already looks much better. Now we just need to get some dialog going. I hope everyone had a great 4th.

June 17 Meeting Minutes

SKMBT C55008070712420 - Upload a Document to Scribd

Read this document on Scribd: SKMBT C55008070712420

June 17th Meeting Notes

Below are the notes from the June 17th meeting. Please note the announcements and the call for volunteers. Our next meeting is 12:00 pm on July 15th at the Swiss. I will post the proposed agenda later this week. If there are topics you would like to discuss please let me know. You can email me or post to the blog.

Kate Burnham
kate.burnham@mcgranahan.com



Emerging Leaders Lunch
June 17, 2008; 12:00 pm
Harmon Brewery

Overview of Mission Statement:
“The Emerging Leaders Group was established by young intern architects of the AIA Southwest Chapter with an objective of individual development as well as preparing for future leadership roles in the architecture profession and community.”

Overview of Goals:
- Promote involvement in the architecture profession and the community.
- A foundation for professional and educational development.
- Provide the resources and support for interns on the path to licensure.

About to have our first anniversary
Emerging Leaders Activities to Date – something to be proud of
Associates Introduction Event July 17, 2007
Received Emerging Professional Component Grant
Panel discussion in DC at the 2008 Grassroots Legislative and Leadership Conference
AIA Circle of Membership Webinar in May where the ARE program was discussed
Lunch meetings monthly
Happy Hour at El Toro
ARE Lecture/Study Sessions
Habitat for Humanity
Architectural Tours
Associates 1st Annual Social Event April 30th at Theatre on the Square
ELG Identity Logo

Blog Site introduction/elimination of the Google Group
The blog site is http://swwelg.blogspot.com/
The site will officially be published July 1st in the AIASWW Bits and Pieces
The site posts the group’s Mission Statement, Goals, a Calendar, and blog/email postings.
We are still adding information to the site as well as moving postings and contacts from the Google Groups site.
Benefits: the new site is more user friendly, non members can access the site, anyone can post to the site.
Disadvantage: you have to take the initiative to check the site because it will not notify you when new postings are made.

Introduction of the Emerging Leaders Logo

Announcements
AIASWW
AIASWW made a presentation to Tacoma’s Planning Commission concerning the Design Review in Mixed-Use Centers on May 7th. A public hearing will be June 18 at 5:00 pm, at Council Chambers, 1st floor, Tacoma Municipal Building. The agenda includes Mixed-use Centers Code Revisions; Annual Amendment Applications for the Open Space Plan, South Tacoma Manufacturing/Industrial Center, and Residential Regulations; Downtown Plan and Code Update; and Public Hearing for Landmarks and Historic Special Review District Regulations. This is a good opportunity for anyone interested in being a part of influencing code.
There were 4 applications for AIASWW scholarships. 3 scholarships were granted this year to graduating high school students. No students currently enrolled at UW or WSU applied. Money was raised 1 ½ years ago at the last AIASWW Auction.
AIASWW is about to launch its new website. A link to our new blog site will also be on the website.

AIA Statewide
Patricia Shelby is Washington’s IDP Coordinator. Right now, there are talks to have one coordinator per region, NW Washington, SW Washington, and Eastern Washington. Patricia would then oversee the three coordinators.
Washington has relinquished its control of the licensing process to NCARB. This would include tracking each person’s progress. Will eliminate staffing need at State level, reduce paperwork, and eliminate the need to submit paperwork twice (to NCARB and the State). The downside is that NCARB must be more organized and responsible. They recently had a staffing change over. Associate’s paperwork have been lost. The State would then be notified by NCARB when an intern completes all tests and is ready to have their license issued.

NCARB
Don’t forget NCARB is trying to pass a 6 month rule where an intern cannot log hours that they worked more than 6 month earlier. Right now, this rule will take effect July 2009. Log your hours!

Associates
The Associate’s Social was a success. We had many Board Members attend as well as Associates. Financially we were down around $167, which the AIASWW absorbed with funds generated from the ARE study sessions. Next year the thought is to open the social up to all AIASWW members.
The ARE study sessions have been a great success. Typically lectures are the first Thursday of the month, and the informal study sessions are the third Thursday. July’s lecture an abnormality. It is the 10th which is the second Wednesday of the month and the study session is Thursday the 24th. Lectures and sessions are free to AIA members.

Architectural Tours
Next tour is July 1st (Theatre Underground)
August is to Pierce County Maintenance Building
September through end of year tentative. Mike Slater and John Denton are looking for suggestions.

AIASWW Lunch and Learn Series
Lunch hour, third Thursday of every month
Will post schedule on new blog site
Free to AIA member, lunch is included
$10 to non members
1 learning credit

Habitat for Humanity
June 28, 2008 is the first work day this year. Required release forms can be posted on the new blog site.
Plans for Habitat for Humanity work parties for July, August, and September (one Saturday per month, unless there is interest in adding more days)
We are still waiting for the July work days to be published. We will send out a notice as soon as we have more information.

Summer Happy Hour
Ideas for happy hour location?
Would anyone attend?
Discussion topics? Or just social hour?

Upcoming AIASWW events and volunteer opportunities
Great ways to earn IDP volunteer credits. You can volunteer the day of the event or to be on a committee.
Honor Awards – contact Gerry Pless at TCF Architecture (gerry@tcfarchitecture.com)
AIASWW Golf Tournament – September 5th at the Classic – contact Jerry Isaksen at Zenczak & Partners Architects (studio@zpaaia.com) & Cheryl Zoltak
AIASWW Auction – November 21st at the Landmark Grand Ballroom – contact BZ Zenczak at Zenczak & Partners (studio@zpaaia.com), Randy Cook at TCF Architecture (randy@tcfarchitecture.com)

Lifecycle Building Challenge Competition
www.lifecyclebuilding.org This is a competition to shape the future of green building and facilitate local building materials reuse. They are looking for submissions of innovative projects, design, or ideas for reducing to conserve construction and demolition materials and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by designing buildings for adaptability and disassembly.

The ARE 4.0 format begins next month. There is now information on NCARB’s website.