Regional Report
January 2010

Strategic Plan
The Board approved the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan at the December Board meeting.  There will be a session at Grassroots this year to discuss the plan with leadership from all levels of AIA and how it can best serve as a framework for all components while maintaining flexibility at the local level.  The concept is that we all work around a shared vision, mission, and broad strategies while implementing them in ways that best reflect each individual community.

Highlights of the plan:
Vision Statement:  The American Institute of Architects: Driving positive change through the power of design.
Mission Statement:  The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the profession and a resource for its members in service to society.
Strategies
Knowledge:  Create, promote, and disseminate interdisciplinary study and research ensuring the AIA’s members are leaders in the profession, the industry, and their communities.
Advocacy:  Advance policies about design through political outreach, education, and engagement that are responsive to the public and the profession.
Communication:  Elevate the voice of architects to promote the value of design and to enhance the public’s understanding of the importance of architecture.
Collaboration:  Align resources and empower networks of members, components, and allied professionals to build teamwork.
Strategic Initiatives
Environment + Stewardship (e.g. Sustainability)
Components + Communities (e.g. Diversity + Inclusiveness, Emerging Professionals)
Technology + Innovation (e.g. Integrated Project Delivery)
Business + Practice (e.g. Global Initiatives)


International Action Plan
There appears to be general agreement among the Board that we need to strengthen our support of members outside of the United States and broaden our influence as an organization globally.  (Some members have raised the point that we are the “American” Institute of Architects and not the “International” Institute of Architects, but I believe that the majority of the Board and membership recognize the global economy in which we all live and many of our members practice.  This should be a mute point.)

Action Plan
The Board has endorsed an International Action Plan for 2010-2012 to strengthen our support of international members and our influence globally.

International Members
Currently, international members are only permitted to be “Associate” members and must use that designation if they are not registered as an architect in one of the fifty states.  This has been a hot topic of discussion and debate ever since the motion failed at the convention last Spring.  There is tremendous sensitivity in the “border” states of Texas, California, and Florida (I guess that Canada must not be seen as a foreign country to the people in New York, Michigan, etc.) about architects registered in other countries coming into the United States and illegally working as architects. 

One of the big hang‑ups is what designation an international member may use after its name.  Many variants of using a modified designation, rather than Associate AIA as must currently be used, have been discussed with no resolution to date.  Ideas have included AIAI, AIA International, AIA-“name the country”, etc. have been floated.  I have advocated, much to the consternation of our southern friends, that it just be “AIA”; if you are member and you are registered in a jurisdiction that has similar education and testing requirements, you can use the “AIA” designation.  This little different than being registered in only Pennsylvania and being allowed to use AIA after your name in any state; this doesn’t mean that you are registered in other states and you can’t say you are an architect in other states, but you are a full architect member in at least one state and as such may use the AIA designation.

Oh well, the debate goes on.  I personally think we are making a mountain out of a molehill; we need to recognize those who are qualified as members on a global basis and get beyond it.  What do you think?  Do you have any ideas?

Position Statements
This year, the Board Advocacy Committee, on which I serve, reviewed six of the AIA Position Statements, recommended some changes, held a public review and comment period, and the revised the amendments again for review and approval by the full Board.  At the December Board meeting, all five of the revised Position Statements were approved as submitted and the sixth one was slightly modified before approval.

These Position Statements are very important to the organization as they clearly and succinctly (in most cases) state the position of the AIA and are then used as a benchmark for all policy at every level of the Institute.  Clearly, that will never be unanimous agreement among the membership on every Position Statement, but the goal is to in very broad terms state what we believe as a profession to the public.

In the past, all 46 Policy Statements had been reviewed in one year.  Public input was somewhat sparse.  This year, with only six Policies under consideration, there was considerably more discussion and debate about the language of each statement.  Based on this, the Board is considering opening a smaller portion of the statements for review each year on a rotating basis.  Any Board member can request review of any Position Statement in any year, whether or not it is scheduled for review.

As soon as the revise Policy Statements are published, we will add them to the Regional Director’s page on the AIA PA website.  I invite you to look at all of them: as leaders in the AIA it is our obligation to be knowledgeable about these positions.

Components Experiencing Financial Hardship
The Board considered a request for financial assistance from AIA Orange County, which is experiencing financial stress due the economic downturn.  The Board approved a bridge loan for AIA Orange County so that the component can continue to serve and meet member needs.
These are unusual times and the Board has taken some unusual actions in response, showing both compassion and fiscal responsibility.

Proposed Bylaws Changes
The Board sponsored three amendments to the Bylaw to be presented to the delegates at the 2010 Convention in Miami to:
  -  Permit AIA to develop and operate a dues payment plan on a regular basis for members
  -  Change the title, criteria, and benefits for international members (as discussed above)
  -  Permit Associate members to serve as Regional Directors with some limitations
In response to concerns about communication and information about the proposed amendments to the Bylaws, the Secretary will be preparing materials for discussion by the components and membership. In addition, a session on the proposed amendments will be held at 2010 Grassroots for the purpose of soliciting comments and feedback that will be used to develop the final proposed amendments for each of the three proposals.  (You really don’t want to miss Grassroots this year!)

Operating Plan and Budget
The Board approved an operating plan and budget that was prepared by management with input from the Executive Committee.  This plan and budget reflect the economic realities of the times and a significant (20%) projected reduction in income for 2010.  The board and management should be commended for the professional and creative ways that this difficult topic was addressed.  In the end, like many of our members and member firms, we saw this as an opportunity to rethink that services we provide and how we provide them.  Often, out of adversity comes our most important and creative shifts that would otherwise be too difficult to tackle.

In general, more emphasis has been placed on optimizing the use of technology to reduce travel and related costs and further the Institutes sustainability agenda while maintaining, and in some cases enhancing, member engagement and interaction.  The Board has examined every level of services provided by the Institute and aligned them to create efficiencies across the board.

The 2010 AIA National Operating Plan:
  -  Respects  the history and tradition of the AIA while positioning the AIA for the future
  -  Strengthens the effectiveness of advocacy, convention, contract documents , membership support and continuing education
  -  Will expand AIA influence as a thought leader within and outside the profession and with the public
  -  Empowers members to lead and support their specific areas of interest
  -  Continues AIA  leadership in sustainability, diversity and integrated project delivery
  -  Facilitates knowledge sharing and networking between and among members, components and others.