Small Firm Exchange

Team SFx & AIA Leadership,

April marked a milestone for our organization-one that reflects both how far we've come and the critical role we must now play in shaping the future of the Institute.

For the first time (to my knowledge), the Small Firm Exchange hosted a national Candidate Forum, bringing together candidates for AIA President-Elect and At-Large Board positions.

This was not just a successful event-it was a statement.

A Strong Signal from the Candidates

What became immediately clear through the forum discussions is that:

• Small firms are widely recognized as the backbone of the profession (~75% of firms)
• There is strong alignment on the need for:
  • Better business tools
  • Improved access to resources
  • Stronger representation within AIA governance

• Multiple candidates explicitly acknowledged that:

  SFx should be formally represented in AIA governance

This is not just our position.

This is a shared understanding across current and future leadership of the Institute.

Engagement with the Governance Task Force

In parallel, SFx leadership engaged directly with the AIA Governance Task Force in a focused working session.

We made several things clear:

• SFx is a national member group, not a Knowledge Community
• SFx represents the practice environment of architecture
• SFx currently has no defined structural conduit to AIA leadership

Most importantly, we were asked directly by the Task Force to:

We have accepted that responsibility.

A Critical Development: The Governance Proposal

Since that conversation, the Governance Task Force has released its Working Draft Recommendations, which provide further clarity into the direction being considered.

While we appreciate the depth and intent of this work, it is important for our members to understand a key point:

The current proposal does not recommend a formal SFx seat at the Board level.

The rationale provided is that:

• Representation is intended to occur through the Council and Knowledge Advisory Forum (KAF)
• Dedicated seats are only retained for groups with no alternative pathway into governance

Additionally, SFx is being grouped alongside "constituency groups" and considered within structures similar to Knowledge Communities.

Why This Matters

This position is fundamentally at odds with how SFx understands its role.

SFx is not:

• A Knowledge Community
• A topic-based group
• An optional engagement layer

SFx is:

• A firm-based, practice-centered member group
• A national network with State Representatives across the country
• A direct conduit to the realities of architectural practice

Most importantly:

The Core Issue

The proposal assumes that small firm representation can occur indirectly through existing pathways.

Our position is clear:

While individuals from small firms may serve in various roles:

• That is not the same as having a defined, accountable, and continuous voice

Without structure:

• Communication becomes inconsistent
• Representation becomes diluted
• The majority of firms remain underrepresented at the leadership level

Where We Go From Here

SFx is not approaching this moment as opposition.

We are approaching it as responsibility.

We are currently developing and submitting a formal SFx Governance Position & Representation Framework, which will:

• Define clear criteria for representation
• Clarify SFx's role within the AIA ecosystem
• Propose pathways that align governance with the realities of practice

This is not about asking for a seat.

This is about helping define:

What This Means for All of Us

This is a defining moment.

Not just for SFx-but for the profession.

We are no longer in a position where:

• We observe governance
• We react to decisions

We are now in a position to:

Final Thought

The candidates have made it clear.
The data has made it clear.
Our collective experience has made it clear.

Small firms are not a subset of the profession.

Now is the time to ensure that reality is reflected in how the Institute is structured.

Let's move forward with clarity, alignment, and purpose.

-
Darguin Fortuna, AIA, NCARB, NOMA
Chair, AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx)

Darguin, 

Sounds like the SFx & AIA is at an inflection point what can we do to help SFx get a voice in the AIA that truly represents and supports our small firm membersuip? 

Thank you for all of your efforts.

Josh

Team SFx & AIA Leadership,

April marked a milestone for our organization-one that reflects both how far we've come and the critical role we must now play in shaping the future of the Institute.

For the first time (to my knowledge), the Small Firm Exchange hosted a national Candidate Forum, bringing together candidates for AIA President-Elect and At-Large Board positions.

This was not just a successful event-it was a statement.

A Strong Signal from the Candidates

What became immediately clear through the forum discussions is that:

• Small firms are widely recognized as the backbone of the profession (~75% of firms)
• There is strong alignment on the need for:
  • Better business tools
  • Improved access to resources
  • Stronger representation within AIA governance

• Multiple candidates explicitly acknowledged that:

  SFx should be formally represented in AIA governance

This is not just our position.

This is a shared understanding across current and future leadership of the Institute.

Engagement with the Governance Task Force

In parallel, SFx leadership engaged directly with the AIA Governance Task Force in a focused working session.

We made several things clear:

• SFx is a national member group, not a Knowledge Community
• SFx represents the practice environment of architecture
• SFx currently has no defined structural conduit to AIA leadership

Most importantly, we were asked directly by the Task Force to:

We have accepted that responsibility.

A Critical Development: The Governance Proposal

Since that conversation, the Governance Task Force has released its Working Draft Recommendations, which provide further clarity into the direction being considered.

While we appreciate the depth and intent of this work, it is important for our members to understand a key point:

The current proposal does not recommend a formal SFx seat at the Board level.

The rationale provided is that:

• Representation is intended to occur through the Council and Knowledge Advisory Forum (KAF)
• Dedicated seats are only retained for groups with no alternative pathway into governance

Additionally, SFx is being grouped alongside "constituency groups" and considered within structures similar to Knowledge Communities.

Why This Matters

This position is fundamentally at odds with how SFx understands its role.

SFx is not:

• A Knowledge Community
• A topic-based group
• An optional engagement layer

SFx is:

• A firm-based, practice-centered member group
• A national network with State Representatives across the country
• A direct conduit to the realities of architectural practice

Most importantly:

The Core Issue

The proposal assumes that small firm representation can occur indirectly through existing pathways.

Our position is clear:

While individuals from small firms may serve in various roles:

• That is not the same as having a defined, accountable, and continuous voice

Without structure:

• Communication becomes inconsistent
• Representation becomes diluted
• The majority of firms remain underrepresented at the leadership level

Where We Go From Here

SFx is not approaching this moment as opposition.

We are approaching it as responsibility.

We are currently developing and submitting a formal SFx Governance Position & Representation Framework, which will:

• Define clear criteria for representation
• Clarify SFx's role within the AIA ecosystem
• Propose pathways that align governance with the realities of practice

This is not about asking for a seat.

This is about helping define:

What This Means for All of Us

This is a defining moment.

Not just for SFx-but for the profession.

We are no longer in a position where:

• We observe governance
• We react to decisions

We are now in a position to:

Final Thought

The candidates have made it clear.
The data has made it clear.
Our collective experience has made it clear.

Small firms are not a subset of the profession.

Now is the time to ensure that reality is reflected in how the Institute is structured.

Let's move forward with clarity, alignment, and purpose.

-
Darguin Fortuna, AIA, NCARB, NOMA
Chair, AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx)

Team SFx & AIA Leadership,

April marked a milestone for our organization-one that reflects both how far we've come and the critical role we must now play in shaping the future of the Institute.

For the first time (to my knowledge), the Small Firm Exchange hosted a national Candidate Forum, bringing together candidates for AIA President-Elect and At-Large Board positions.

This was not just a successful event-it was a statement.

A Strong Signal from the Candidates

What became immediately clear through the forum discussions is that:

• Small firms are widely recognized as the backbone of the profession (~75% of firms)
• There is strong alignment on the need for:
  • Better business tools
  • Improved access to resources
  • Stronger representation within AIA governance

• Multiple candidates explicitly acknowledged that:

  SFx should be formally represented in AIA governance

This is not just our position.

This is a shared understanding across current and future leadership of the Institute.

Engagement with the Governance Task Force

In parallel, SFx leadership engaged directly with the AIA Governance Task Force in a focused working session.

We made several things clear:

• SFx is a national member group, not a Knowledge Community
• SFx represents the practice environment of architecture
• SFx currently has no defined structural conduit to AIA leadership

Most importantly, we were asked directly by the Task Force to:

We have accepted that responsibility.

A Critical Development: The Governance Proposal

Since that conversation, the Governance Task Force has released its Working Draft Recommendations, which provide further clarity into the direction being considered.

While we appreciate the depth and intent of this work, it is important for our members to understand a key point:

The current proposal does not recommend a formal SFx seat at the Board level.

The rationale provided is that:

• Representation is intended to occur through the Council and Knowledge Advisory Forum (KAF)
• Dedicated seats are only retained for groups with no alternative pathway into governance

Additionally, SFx is being grouped alongside "constituency groups" and considered within structures similar to Knowledge Communities.

Why This Matters

This position is fundamentally at odds with how SFx understands its role.

SFx is not:

• A Knowledge Community
• A topic-based group
• An optional engagement layer

SFx is:

• A firm-based, practice-centered member group
• A national network with State Representatives across the country
• A direct conduit to the realities of architectural practice

Most importantly:

The Core Issue

The proposal assumes that small firm representation can occur indirectly through existing pathways.

Our position is clear:

While individuals from small firms may serve in various roles:

• That is not the same as having a defined, accountable, and continuous voice

Without structure:

• Communication becomes inconsistent
• Representation becomes diluted
• The majority of firms remain underrepresented at the leadership level

Where We Go From Here

SFx is not approaching this moment as opposition.

We are approaching it as responsibility.

We are currently developing and submitting a formal SFx Governance Position & Representation Framework, which will:

• Define clear criteria for representation
• Clarify SFx's role within the AIA ecosystem
• Propose pathways that align governance with the realities of practice

This is not about asking for a seat.

This is about helping define:

What This Means for All of Us

This is a defining moment.

Not just for SFx-but for the profession.

We are no longer in a position where:

• We observe governance
• We react to decisions

We are now in a position to:

Final Thought

The candidates have made it clear.
The data has made it clear.
Our collective experience has made it clear.

Small firms are not a subset of the profession.

Now is the time to ensure that reality is reflected in how the Institute is structured.

Let's move forward with clarity, alignment, and purpose.

-
Darguin Fortuna, AIA, NCARB, NOMA
Chair, AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx)