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March 2018
A New Chapter welcome RIAS ‘regime change’

A New Chapter welcome RIAS ‘regime change’

March 28 2018

Reform minded architects have expressed encouragement following a commitment by the RIAS Council to undertake a raft of reforms in line with demands set out by campaign group A New Chapter.

Welcoming ‘significant regime changes’ ANC lent their support to the proposals which include reinstating elections for the post of president and the establishment of several interim committees to review past failures and future reform of the organisations governance and finance.

The latest machinations will see Stewart Henderson answer calls for his departure by standing down as president this summer, enabling a membership vote to be conducted to find a successor. Eight unelected members have also lost the right to sit on the council.

In a statement the group wrote: “ANC considers the proposed changes and decisions made at Wednesday’s Council meeting to be encouraging. They are in the spirit of greater openness, membership participation, inclusivity and a renewed spirit of optimism.”

A further independent review will also be conducted into the historic decision making process and ‘associated failings’.

18 Comments

#1 Posted by FHM on 28 Mar 2018 at 10:32 AM

What is the official ANC stance towards the RIAS Awards?

#2 Posted by boaby wan on 28 Mar 2018 at 11:34 AM

FHM, I think it is:
Disagree with supporting the organisation, criticise it's running at all times - unless there is an opportunity to pay them for some self promotion then that's ok

#3 Posted by Trombe Wall on 28 Mar 2018 at 11:58 AM

Perhaps, still submit for consideration as the awards process is separate to the requested regime change? The judging panel aren't exclusively un-elected members.

#4 Posted by A rock and a hard place on 28 Mar 2018 at 12:01 PM

It seems a shame that the ANC have hounded the President out. I guess his sin was carrying out proper procedures once he and Council were aware of the complaints. I think for the ANC to take credit for the changes is somewhat disingenuous at best. Hopefully there will be a full statement from the RIAS soon to set the record straight.

#5 Posted by Scotsguy61 on 28 Mar 2018 at 14:18 PM

Can we use something instead of ANC, that caused a speedbump in my head.

#6 Posted by Jon on 28 Mar 2018 at 15:07 PM

Dont see what the African National Congress would have against the RIAS Awards, personally...

#7 Posted by gump on 29 Mar 2018 at 08:49 AM

4 - I guess his sin was thinking slapping a non-disclosure agreement on the results of the independent financial probity investigation was a reasonable way to proceed, hmmmm?

#8 Posted by Sussed on 29 Mar 2018 at 09:24 AM

A rock and a hard place - The PRIAS reflected and chose not to stand for re-election. He was acutely aware of the issues (as were his cohorts) and sat on them for some time. He subsequently took action without consent of Council and then prevented them seeing the report he commissioned paid for by member funds unless they signed a gagging order (against advice given at the time)….roll on reform. I expect when the RIAS “set the record straight” it will (with less gloss than usual) be pretty well along the lines already put out by aNC as effectively this stance was mutually agreed with the Inc.

#9 Posted by mick on 29 Mar 2018 at 14:54 PM

Sussed has actually sussed it out. The PRIAS, both present and previous, position and repeated posturing all needs changing. The position has all too often been about perpetuation of ego rather than advocacy for architecture. I firmly hope that all those trappings of office get binned for ever. We are no longer a 19th C gentleman's club.

#10 Posted by Sussed on 29 Mar 2018 at 16:52 PM

mick - you too are sussed, we need to move on, RIAS must embrace all Architects in Scotland per its Charter and evolve the self perpetuating "gentleman's club" ethos, a blend of youth and experience essential

#11 Posted by Eddie Hawke on 29 Mar 2018 at 21:24 PM

Glad I have left.

#12 Posted by Sussed on 30 Mar 2018 at 10:50 AM

Eddie Hawke - If the RIAS becomes more open / transparent would you re-join? What would it have to do re-build your trust?

#13 Posted by Cadmonkey on 30 Mar 2018 at 13:05 PM

Sussed
I am considering resigning regardless of all the ANC stuff. I fail to what tangible value the RIAS delivers for its members other than kudos of being a member of something with “Royal” in its title and putting more letters after your name.

For starters.....
Why do subs not include access to Practice Services for all members at the same rate, regardless of practice size?
Why do RIAS associate themselves with Architectural Competitions that charge architects to enter?
Why has RIAS removed Supplantment Clause from its Statement of Professional Conduct?
Why do you only ever hear from them when they want money?

I just don’t see the point of being a member.

#14 Posted by Sussed on 30 Mar 2018 at 16:26 PM

Cadmonkey - I agree with your "starters" and would like to get all these resolved as part of any reform. I believe change is coming now....at last