A Culture of Advocacy in Alberta

February 29, 2008 on 10:19 am | In general, events

Spearheading a culture of Advocacy in Alberta: A letter from RAIC Alberta Chapter President Samuel Oboh, MRAIC, AIA

Dear RAIC Alberta Chapter Members,

As Albertans go to the polls on the 3rd of March 2008, The Alberta Chapter of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) focused on getting issues important to architects front and center in the 2008 campaign. The Chapter presented (to all the party leaders) an agenda for Alberta’s sustainable future and also reminded them on the need to sincerely make commitment that will ensure a truly sustainable future for Alberta and Albertans. The Chapter’s agenda were sent to leaders of the following parties: Alberta Greens; Alberta Liberal; Alberta Party; Alberta Social Credit Party; Communist Party – Alberta; Progressive Conservative Party; Alberta NDP; Separation Party of Alberta and the Wildrose Alliance Party.

What You Can Do:

• Participate in your in your electoral divisions and talk to the Candidates.

The Chapter wants to encourage architects and RAIC members to participate in the elections by talking to candidates, pose questions on issues important to architects and the profession of architecture to candidates in your electoral divisions and vote on March 3, 2008. Although the RAIC Alberta Chapter executive could talk to candidates and submit questions, we want you to talk about issues and pose questions that matter to you. If you are interested in posing a question to the leaders of the various political entities in the province, you can get their addresses at http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/603.htm

Be sure to identify yourself as an architect or someone from the architectural community!

Kindly note that the RAIC Alberta chapter will not endorse any candidate. We firmly believe that each of us has a key role to play on behalf of the RAIC, the profession and society to advocate on issues that we are passionate about just like we do in our everyday practice. The Chapter’s advocacy will not stop with this election. Architects and members of the RAIC must continue to take leadership roles on issues that affect the built environment in Alberta.

• Participate in RAIC Advocacy Programs and Functions

After the March 3 elections, the chapter is planning a year-round advocacy that requires regular contact with elected officials and policy makers in our province. We need all the help we can get from RAIC members in the province. In the coming months, we plan to invite MLA’s, councilors and other elected officials and policy makers to RAIC Alberta Chapter functions (like Urban Design Award Ceremony, social programs, architectural tours of significant buildings in the province etc); request invitations to legislature press events on key built environment legislation and raise public acknowledgment of the important role architecture play in our lives; increase RAIC’s advocacy role; initiate advocacy programs that will take on challenges facing the profession in the province; etc

In order to achieve the level of success we desire, we need to participate and devote our efforts to becoming advocates all year long.

Thank you for your involvement!