You’ve dedicated your time and expertise to a number of committees-including the Intern Development Program Advisory and Procedures and Documents Committees. How did your involvement with these groups prepare you for your role as secretary?

In addition to communication duties, the office of secretary involves observing preceding officers and serving as the liaison to the Council with respect to presenting the resolutions. My service on the Procedures and Documents Committee gave me first-hand experience with the “statements of support” and deliberations on each resolution. Additionally, I helped facilitate the Town Hall session at the Annual Business Meeting where topics relating to IDP and other NCARB programs came forward from the membership. My service on the IDP Advisory Committee gave me the background necessary to communicate those questions effectively.

Tell us about your main responsibilities as secretary and your work as Board liaison on the Procedures and Documents Committee.

The Procedures and Documents Committee reviewed the white papers and the proposed resolutions. As the Board liaison, it is my responsibility to carry forward clarification from the Board on each resolution and to report back to the board any deliberations or comments from the committee. This is especially important when resolutions are brought to the April Board meeting for a vote.

During the Annual Business Meeting, Council delegates unanimously voted to freeze member dues for at least three years. What does this mean for Member Boards?

Freezing dues at current levels does not reflect a reduction in the Council’s commitment to Member Board service. In fact, this decision recognizes the increased burden of Member Board oversight.

When the fee increase schedule was adopted in 2011, Council leadership determined that increases were necessary to address anticipated economic shortfalls. However, since the adoption of that increase, various cost-saving measures have begun to bear fruit, including a focus on more efficiency in meeting and travel expenses, staff consolidations, and the redesign of the exam. In reassessing the Council’s business model, it became clear that the rationale for the fee schedule adjustment is no longer valid.

Delegates also decided that all architect members on the Board of Directors must have an NCARB Certificate by 2017. What was the thought process behind this decision?

The recent vote still allows architects to serve at their state and regional levels without a Certificate. However, those who wish to serve on the NCARB Board of Directors will have to maintain an active Certificate beginning in 2017. While NCARB performs many services, administering its certification program and thereby promoting common registration standards and facilitating reciprocity among its jurisdictions is one of its most important activities. This activity is fundamental to the role of NCARB as a facilitator of licensure.

This resolution was presented based on the discussions of the Regional Chairs Committee, and incorporates previous conversations that occurred in joint meetings between that committee and the Governance Task Force. The resolution reflected a consensus, but not a unanimous position of the participants. The committee felt that holding an NCARB Certificate provides an enhanced opportunity for regional directors to promote the vision of the Council. That vision includes advocating for the value of the Certificate as a program that facilitates reciprocity and subsidizes programs, including the ARE and IDP, that impact interns and emerging professionals.

Members voted to modify the Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) requirements, allowing candidates to demonstrate experience through projects in any U.S. jurisdiction. How will this amendment help streamline the path to licensure for architects without a degree from a NAAB-accredited program?

Previously, the BEA Program required applicants to submit evidence of experience gained in a jurisdiction in which the applicant was registered while gaining that experience. Given that experience is recognized regardless of duration or location in other Council programs, this requirement was unnecessarily and inconsistently restrictive. The BEA requirements will continue to assure that only designs reflecting the work of the applicant are considered. This clarifies that the BEA Program requires evidence of experience that satisfies the missing education, not evidence of “responsible control.”

How can members stay informed about Board meetings?

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.