I am President Elect (Again, we have to recycle members) of our small Northwest Washington AIA. (www.nwaia.org). We cover 4 Counties and only have 30 full time AIA Architects) Recently, I sent out an AIA listserv message out to other AIA component officers. So, some of you may have seen it. If not, I am trying to compile ideas for small Chapters that we have all found successful..or not. Mainly regarding public outreach, awards, fundraising, etc. All to minimize our involvement because we are all so busy to be actively involved! Well, some, anyway.
Spend a few minutes and send me your complaint or wish list that your small chapter AIA should be doing for you. Are Architects just shining each other's shoes at Award ceremonies? Is the public aware of what you do, and how design is important?
The National and State AIA seems to be catering to the big Chapters and the mega firms more than us small practitioners and sole proprietors. That is the feeling I hear from our folks, and I think they are right.
So, if you have a complaint...give me a solution. It has been a revelation to hear from small Chapters around the Country recently. I hope to Have Ann Dorough, our National Component Director help compile all these ideas, so we don't all have to... reinvent the wheel. We all have similar problems. Whenever I go to National AIA conventions, I learn the most from fellow attendees.
Comments?
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David Christensen AIA
Principal
Christensen Design Management
Bellingham WA
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