Reading the messages of disgruntled members and the critique of the AIA leadership reminds me of the non-voter who critiques his elected officials. His attitude is always that his vote doesn't count but he's got the right to complain. He will never believe his vote matters until the election is won by a single vote.
It's not about whether that vote changes the outcome, but about his responsibility to be a voter, about the willingness to be a player. The complaintant suddenly seems worth listening to.
Most of us "players" at AIA-PV and AIA-MD are not wearing suits. Our shirt sleeves are rolled up and we are working, like mad, at holding the together enough to maintain architects' status and remind the public about the essential nature of what we do. And that includes finding ways to get the message to and from membership. I find generally that those involved with leadership are hurting in business like everyone in the industry. I also find that their proactive atance is encouraging and believe that it will ultimately work.
I do not wonder why leadership persists under these conditions. Or why, when things are better. I wonder why those less involved do not and possibly never did try to get involved. It leads me to wonder if their mothers are still picking up their laundry from the floor.
What has motivated me is the attitude that there's a job to be done and if that job doesn't get done, my profession, and I as part of it, will not win. Someone is out there out to steal our lunch. Local and state elected officials will pass laws to our detriment if unchecked. Worse, they will take action through faulty legislation that negatively impacts the building industry, and everyone connected to it. The constrcution industry would be among the first to diminish our role in the design of buildings. Despite all our adulation of them, even the USGBC build without us when they can. We understand these things better than the rest, that our role is essential to the future.
What we do to achieve change is the result of the persistence of this attitude. There's no magic pill for this economy or any other. Never will be. After 20 years of volunteer leadership in this organization I no longer cater to the wimps who ask "what have you done for me lately". When they ask, I'll tell them what I've done for the profession through the AIA, and if you benefit from that, great. But I remind them how we're waiting for their input. It's off putting to some to have to pay their dues and then be asked to give more. Not everyone is up for real time. Some of us are doing our part in the life raft though even if that doesn't guarantee a permanent place in it.
If you have that sinking feeling, rejoice, your AIA membership is a life line. But you have to commit to exert enough energy to hold on to the damn thing. Or your finished. Then you can pull yourself in and up. And when you land, start working for the common good of the profession again, whether you wear a suit or not, there's need for all kinds.
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Allen E. Neyman AIA
Component (past) president
StovallSmithNeyman Rockville MD
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