SEEKING EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO THE GENDER EQUITY COMMITTEE

Interested individuals of both genders are invited to nominate themselves by Expression of Interest, for membership of the Institute’s Gender Equity Committee. This National Committee was established at National Council’s last meeting and it will be responsible for giving practical effect to the Institute’s Gender Equity Policy, which was adopted by National Council in December.

Role of the Committee

1. To develop potential initiatives (programs, activities, events, services or products) that can most effectively deliver outcomes related to each of the Principles set out in the Policy.

2. To review existing and proposed Institute initiatives to ensure that, as far as possible, all Institute initiatives are consistent with the Principles.

3. To coordinate, at a high level, the various programs and projects that are being undertaken at any time in relation to the Principles of the Policy.

4. To act as a clearing house for feedback, comments, suggestions and complaints in relation to the Policy.

5. To initiate, where required in relation to the Policy, research, surveys, focus groups and other consultation and information gathering exercises on gender equity.

6. To advocate the principles of gender equity and equal opportunity to other stakeholder, industry and client groups, and to government.

7. To communicate and disseminate the outputs of the committee to stakeholders.

8. To develop, monitor and report to stakeholders on a series of key indicators that effectively measure progress in implementation of the Policy.

9. To undertake regular review of the Policy.

10. To make recommendations to the National Council and generally advise the Council on matters related to gender equity in the architecture profession and the Institute.

11. To provide written reports on progress, activities and outcomes to all regular meetings of the National Council.

Membership

Membership of the 10-person Committee is structured by representation of the various architectural practice sizes, with at least half, but no more than 6 of the 10 to be women.  Nominees will be chosen by National Executive (comprising National President, President Elect, Immediate Past President, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer) as delegated by National Council, so that the Committee will have:

• No more than 2 members from any one Chapter;
• At least 2 members from regional locations;
• At least 2 members from small practice (up to 5 staff);
• At least 2 members from medium practice (6-20 staff);
• At least 2 members from large practice (21+ staff);
• Either 5 or 6 female members.

The term of appointment will be 2 years, but half of the Committee, as its founding members, will have a 3 year initial term, so that half of the membership spills each anniversary.

Expressions of interest need to be received by 3 March 2014. To submit your Expression of Interest please follow this link  to answer the following 5 short questions:

• What do you see as the opportunities and challenges for the Institute in regard to giving practical effect to the Gender Equity Policy?

• Looking at the Terms of Reference, what particular skills and expertise would you bring to the Committee?

• What should the Institute hope to have achieved in relation to gender equity by 2020?

• What is the number of architectural staff in the practice you work in?

• This is a working committee. Do you feel you are you able to commit the time to attend approximately 4-6 meetings per year and to undertake out-of-session work as required by the Committee over your 2 or 3 year term?

Only Expressions of Interest submitted using this survey will be considered.

Please direct any enquiries about your application to ncge@architecture.com.au

 

 

 

Last week the Institute announced a major breakthrough for gender equity in the profession of architecture with National Council officially approving the organisation’s first Gender Equity Policy.

Announcing the policy, Institute President and gender equity advocate, Paul Berkemeier said, ‘The disparity between male and female representation within the profession has been well documented and a growing concern not only for the Institute as the industry’s representative body but also for members of both genders.’

‘The Gender Equity Policy will provide the foundation for improving operations within the Institute through its governance, programs and services, employment and leadership. The policy will assist our members and the profession more broadly in employing gender equitable practices in their day to day operations.’

The policy establishes ten best practice principles designed to maximise fair and equitable access to opportunities and participation for women within the architecture profession.

1. Acknowledge the profession’s obligation to accommodate the diverse needs of the community.
2. Recognise and respond effectively to the diversity of members.
3. Incorporate provisions to ensure gender equitable outcomes in all new Institute initiatives.
4. Communicate the value of women in leadership roles.
5. Promote equality of employment arrangements.
6. Support the development of alternative and flexible career pathways within the profession.
7. Develop cross-gender mentorships and networks.
8. Educate the profession about the impact of gender stereotypes.
9. Actively seek input on the needs of women members.
10. Develop and coordinate specific programs to give effect to this Gender Equity policy.

The policy was developed by a working group that was chaired by Immediate Past President Shelley Penn and comprised Paul Berkemeier (National President), Maggie Edmond (Nationally-elected Councillor), Richard Barton (General Counsel/Company Secretary), Carmel McCormack (General Manager, Membership and Programs), Alison Cleary (Victorian Chapter Manager), Sophie Seck (former National Exhibitions Officer), with support from Claire Croxall (Executive Support Officer) and input from Ross Clark (Chief Operating Officer).

By adopting a comprehensive and ethical approach, the Institute aims to ensure that it engages fairly and equitably with all its members, staff and other stakeholders, whether male or female, in a positive, respectful and constructive manner. Equally importantly, the Institute aims to assist the whole architectural profession to do the same.

The development of the policy follows the Institute’s involvement since 2011 with the Australian Research Council funded ‘Equity and Diversity in the Australian Architecture Profession: Women, Work and Leadership’ project, which is led by a large collaborative team of eight scholars and five industry partners.

Studies conducted as part of this project have provided qualitative evidence confirming that the participation rate of women in the profession is disproportionately low compared to the number of women graduates in architecture highlighting the specific need to encourage and provide guidelines for the industry to adopt a comprehensive and ethical approach to establishing gender equality across the field.

A National Committee on Gender Equity  will be established by National Council to implement the policy and to recommend actions, initiatives and programs to support and promote the principles of the policy.

Comprising ten individuals, including nine Institute members, the committee will further drive gender equality within the architecture industry. More information about the committee, including details on how to be involved, will be published early in the new year.

 

Further information
Gender Equity Policy
Media Release: Landmark decision for architecture profession on gender equity