I was a Board Member when the Sustainable Design requirement was adopted. As David DelVechio said, the requirement was adopted for a finite period of time. At the end of the period, the Board had the right to take action to extend it or sunset the requirement.
I understand Jeff Potter's position, but respectfully disagree with him. In fact, I believe this points out serious issues with the AIA's continuing education requirements. Today, a provider pretty much pays the fee for their course and gets to brand it as an AIA CE course. There is no quality control, per se. If, as Jeff points out, Sustainable Design is a mainstream component in our CE courses, how do we know?
The AIA CE program is the "gold standard" in the industry. It is an important part of our brand. Yet, we do not insist that it meets any kind of quality standard. We do not police that the offerings reflect the values our brand stands for, including sustainability.
As was mentioned, we also have adopted a sustainable design component as part of our Code of Ethics. However, I doubt that the majority of members even realize that. I also doubt that the AIA has developed the tools (programs and practice tools) that support our members in reaching this ethical milestone.
Whether you are LEED AP shouldn't matter. Personally, I do not believe that LEED adds a tremendous of value. The Institute has, however, been integrally involved in the development of the ICC Green Building Code. Yet, we have done little to prepare our members in how to get it adopted and implemented and what it means to their practice.
I know that this will be taken up by the Board at its Grassroots meeting. I urge Grassroots participants to hold the organization accountable so that their actions match the rhetoric.
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Walter Hainsfurther FAIA
Kurtz Associates Architects
Des Plaines IL
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