The ACT Practice Committee wishes to draw our member’s attention to a few handy services that the Institute offers.
CONTRACT DIGITAL SCHEDULES: Looking for a time saver? Did you know that when you buy an Institute ABIC contract or Client Architect Agreement you can download digital editable versions of the schedules and forms via Acumen. These schedules are easily completed, printed and inserted into the hardcopy contract. Reference copies of all contracts are also available on Acumen, so if you are unsure which contract to purchase have a read before you buy.
WHAT IS ACUMEN: Acumen is the Australian Institute of Architects’ practice advisory service. It provides architects with the most relevant and up-to-date advisory material about managing an architectural practice and projects. If you’re an A+ member you will already have a subscription to Acumen, if not a subscription can easily be purchased online
NEW ON ACUMEN: Regular notifications are now listed on the website to allow subscribers of Acumen to keep across new and recently reviewed material.
IMPROVING ACUMEN: The Acumen Content Review Panel is seeking comment from Institute members and Acumen users about the accuracy, currency and relevance of the content. The ACT Chapter has a long history of contributing to the development of the advisory notes, so I’d like to encourage all members to contribute their suggestions via the feedback form.
TRACKING YOUR CPD: Need help tracking your CPD? The Institute has a handy template you can use for recording your CPD.
ONLINE CPD: Need more CPD? Well you don’t even have to leave the office! Continuum offers an extensive range of online CPD courses.
FREE LEGAL ADVICE: Need advice from a lawyer? As part of your A+ membership you receive 10 minutes of free legal advice. Check out this handy video to make sure you are taken advantage of all of the A+ benefits including subscriptions to EDG, Australian Standards, and Acumen, access to HR and IR services and bench marking solutions.
SENIOR COUNSELLOR SERVICE: Need advice from a senior practitioner of the profession? Senior Counsellors are experienced members of the ACT Chapter, selected and appointed by the National Council. Senior Counsellors are appointed to provide general and practical guidance to members and clients of members on the practice of architecture for the purposes set out in Article 84 of the Institute’s Articles of Association. Senior Counsellors respond to enquiries in the ACT on a ‘cab rank’ basis, depending on their availability and conflicts of interest. The Senior Counsellors do not and cannot give legal, business or taxation advice, nor can they tell you what you or your client should do, instead the service is intended to help you reach your own informed conclusion or decision.
If you or your client wishes to speak to a Senior Counsellor please call the ACT Chapter Manager on 02 6208 2100 who will assign your query to an available Senior Counsellor. All conversations are kept strictly confidential.
The Practice Committee hopes to keep in touch with more handy hints and tips in the future.
Marcus Graham
ACT Chapter Practice Committee Chair
27 July 2015