Regarding the discussion to require an architect's stamp on housing work for clients with a cheapo mentality, I would advise all to be careful what you wish for. Do you really want to cheapen your practice image and impede opportunities for better quality work? Do you want to carry more expensive liability insurance for years on projects where owners and contractors will likely cut corners? Why race to the bottom?
I practiced in the NYS, NYC, and northern NJ area from 1978-2004 with a mixed 70% commercial, 30% residential work load. There was no way I could make ends meet with an exclusively residential practice, and I was too small as a sole practitioner to get much public work. Given the up/down nature of the real estate, building, and construction business, I suggest trying to diversify into several market types, rather than "placing all the eggs in one basket." Work only for clients you feel you can trust, rather than going after a mass market approach.
I have been an AIA member since 1978 and sometimes hated writing that check, especially when times were tough. The national AIA has little political clout because we do not control many votes, we don't vote united as a powerful bloc, and we do not have the financial contribution weight of the doctors, lawyers, or big business interests. Perhaps on the state or regional levels AIA components might have more influence, but that will vary case by case. Is is it worth the $$? I think yes - it's the only voice we have as a profession, AIA can team with more powerful allied organizations to lobby for architect's interests, and local components are only as good as individual architects contribute time and effort to make them responsive to your needs. I confess - I was not ever active in my AIA chapter, but I was quite involved in volunteering for many committees, commissions, and booster activities in my local community of Nyack NY - and that got me known to potential clients who came to value what I was doing for the community and architecturally.
I'm semi-retired now, so you all have to keep up the good fight.
-------------------------------------------
Edward Acker AIA
Senior Architect
Winchester VA
-------------------------------------------