Currently the activities of the RIAS raise more questions than they seem capable of providing answers for - publicly at least.

That's great. Hopefully, someone from 'New Chapter' is now going to step up to the plate to help with running RIAS. Oh wait, hard to find the time for both self-promotion and charitable work, I suppose. Neil Baxter was not an architect (not necessarily a disavantage) and still usually managed to respond eloquently, informatively and entertainingly when an 'official' quote was sought from the architectural fraternity. Trust the next incumbent will also have some personality. Ongoing problems within the profession are procurement (too protracted in a commercial world) and fee levels (too low for the level of service clients expect and most architects provide). Both matters for architects themselves to address, not the sole remit of RIAS. So long as some of us remain lickspittles (thanks, GG) and certain practitioners continue to carry out work for ludicrous fees, we remain our own worst enemies. Tell you one thing, when this recession finally recedes, and public services are better funded and if architects do more effectively fight their own corner, the standard of general building design has to improve. Can't believe what passes for 'architecture' in this and other design magazines. It's not simply down to councils being under-resourced that certain developments are (eventually) realised. And, architects are allowed to refuse a commission if they have issues with client's demands. To my mind its not RIAS that needs a kick up the jacksie, it's architects ourselves. Stop moaning and try to make a difference for the better, one of the reason most of us entered the profession. Right, I'm away back to sleep in my ivory tower now. Have a grand festering season when it comes.

"when this recession finally recedes, and public services are better funded"

Haha, good one.

Alan #2, it seems you are completely missing the point of this article. There is a plethora of articles on this site which to which you can easily transpose your comments regarding fees, procurement, commercially driven architecture etc.
This article is probing potentially serious financial misconduct at Scotland's primary architects' institute.
Maybe this is just another serious financial misconduct chapter for the country to sweep under the carpet?

So if there are suggestions of financial impropriety going on at RIAS should members postpone handing over their hard earned cash at subscription renewal time until it is all sorted out and conclusion published transparently.
That would stop it getting swept under the carpet.
Money talks.

Cadmonkey, I am pondering that very dilemma. Does the President need council approval to speak on the organizations behalf? I would like a statement from the RIAS ASAP, given the importance of annual fee collection for the incorporation.

Cadmonkey #5, I have chosen not to renew my annual subs until there is significant reform of the RIAS as a whole. if enough architects do the same it will force change one way or another.

According to "breaking news" from the AJ, the Police are now involved.

According to the AJ, a police investigation is also now underway.

#2 Alan: Talk about a straw horse. Yes, architects have issues and bear some responsibility for the situation they find themselves in but what on earth has that got to do with the potential financial misconduct and serious mismanagement of our professional body?? With the Police now looking into things there is the growing prospect that criminal prosecution could follow. Those working under the banner of a New Chapter have done us all a service by shining a light on matters that have been swept under the carpet for too long.

The RIAS tag is pretty badly tarnished now. It is time the RIAS was disbanded, and we were led by RIBA.

#11 CADMonkry- RIBA - why not our own professional body covering architecture and issues specific to Scotland? The RIBA does have issues as Scotland has separate legal, financial etc institutions hence the need for a separate body. The RIAS fails us at present.

There is no need for RIAS just because of separate legal and constitutional issues. They are straightforward to resolve as far as architecture is concerned. Lots of English based architectural firms work in Scotland and visa versa. Architecture doesn’t recognise borders!
It would be very easy for RIBA to make the required appointments knowledgeable about Scottish issues. I bet they already have it covered.
A centralised knowledge base (RIBA) would surely be advantageous to all, and I see no disadvantage.

And now, again according to AJ, "a member of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) Council has resigned, claiming the body’s decisions ‘put her in a compromising position’".

What is going on RIAS?!