State Director's Message
Hello, hello, Pennsylvania Associates! My name is Safiya Hodari and I serve as AIA PA's Associate Director. If I have not already had the pleasure of making your acquaintance, I look forward to the opportunity to do so in the near future.
In the interim, this is a call to action! In fact, I like to think of the AIA as "Associates in Action". With the economy in flux and our profession in tow, we need our associate members to step up more than ever. The great news is that there are also more opportunities than ever, big and small, for you to make an impact on your school, your chapter, your community, even the profession as a whole.
In my first year as Pennsylvania's state Associate Director, I was pleasantly surprised at how open and receptive experienced architects were to hear from the associate perspective. As the profession changes and the "traditional architect" is redefined, leaders from generations past are looking to us in order to understand the new direction of the practice of architecture. "Speak up!" I say! The days of maylines and mylar are becoming a distant memory. Rhino and Revit are the new wave. As education shifts, so soon will the practice. While many significant shifts in the way we practice architecture have already begun, now is the time when the old guard is really open to understanding why, and asking questions about how, associate members and interns are affected.
There is an awareness that without us, the profession is at risk. So, embrace it.
"How so?" you ask? Well, as I mentioned, there are many ways, big and small. Take your pick and take action!
Call to Action: TAKE A SURVEY
NCARB's 2012 Practice Analysis of Architecture Survey is due out in April 2012. It focuses on both education and practice. More specifically, it examines what's taught in school versus what interns are learning "out in the field" for the first time. According to the good folks at NCARB "the results of the final survey, to be conducted in April 2012, will be used to help drive the future development of the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE), inform the Intern Development Program (IDP) and guide NCARB's contribution to the 2013 NAAB Accreditation Review Conference." Furthermore, for that that are nearly or newly licensed, "the results will also be used to inform NCARB's continuing education policies and programs."
Why it's a great opportunity: BE HEARD
Well, NCARB continues to tweak and update the IDP process, your input can help make you and your fellow (and future) interns’ path to licensure more streamlined and efficient.
Difficulty: LOW
Just by answering a few questions, you can help shed light on the long arduous task of becoming an architect, help AIA understand why many are choosing not to become licensed and assist NCARB in eliminated redundancy and inefficiency in the process, all in 15 to 20 minutes or less. I took the pilot survey and can assure it's a fraction of an hour well-spent.
Call to Action: ATTEND NATIONAL CONVENTION
Great news from our Regional Associate Director, Melissa Bernstein: AIA's National Board recently approved a reduced rate for associates to attend the National Convention in DC, May 17-19, 2012. As our representative on the National Associates Committee (NAC), Melissa helped negotiate a rate of 50% off the usual associate rate. For those who are new to the AIA, you can even attend your first convention for free.
Why it's a great opportunity: GET INVOLVED & INSPIRED
This is a huge win for associates. Beyond being able to attend for an incredibly low price, it's a tremendous opportunity to meet other architects and associates, network, exchange ideas and get inspired! In attending my first convention last year, I left filled with ideas and invigorated to make an impact on the practice of architecture in my own little way. Show the AIA that PA associates appreciate their efforts to help us stay connected by attending this year's convention.
Difficulty: MODERATE
With the new reduced registration fee and DC just a Megabus ride away, it cannot get any better than this. With proper planning, you may even be able to get your firm to sponsor an intern or two from your department. If you let your supervisors know what a wonderful opportunity this is for you to flex your leadership muscles and contribute to the firm in new and innovative ways, they will likely find your enthusiasm refreshing and may even reward you with the days off you need to be able to attend. It's certainly worth a try.
Call to Action: ATTEND ARCHITECTS DAY
So perhaps you can't get away to Washington DC for Convention in May (or Grassroots in March, also in DC). Great news: you can attend Architects Day right here in Harrisburg, PA, April 3, 2012. Meet the movers and shakers of legislature that make the major decisions that affect our profession. They love hearing from associates since we have the ability to really impact votership.
Why it's a great opportunity: GET INVOLVED
Okay, okay, I'll admit it. When I first began as Associate Director, I had no concept of how politics and policy affected the practice of architecture. Even less so, I had no idea why lobbying even mattered. After attending Architects Day last year, I'm a changed (and better informed) architectural professional. I quickly came to understand that if we don't advocate for our profession, no one will. Many laws and regulations affecting how architecture is practiced are older than anyone would like to admit and are in desperate need of updating. Further, in many ways, the roles and responsibilities of the architect are being divvied up and doled out to others like interior designers and builders. If architects don't speak up to safeguard our rightful place in the professional world, our craft could dwindle away altogether.
While these seem like rather daunting issues to tackle, attending Architects Day really helped me understand the potential impact if they are not properly addressed. The advocacy committee put the issues in terms I could really understand and enable me to express our concerns to lawmakers and policy changers. Even better, I was able to communicate all of this back to the associates in my local Pittsburgh chapter so they, too, could be empowered to make changes locally.
Difficulty: LOW
Again, this one is almost a no-brainer. It's a short one-day (or even half-day) trip to our state capital that will have a tremendous impact and leave you feeling like you've made a real contribution to the future of architecture as we know it. It's exhilarating.
Call to Action: BE A LOCAL LEADER
Try as you might, maybe you cannot get away to attend Architects Day, Grassroots (like Architects Day, but on the national level) or Convention (even with it's insanely low registration fee). Don't stress. There are many opportunities for you to get involved on a local level. Start an ARE study group. Organize associate events. Recruit new members. Facilitate discussions at local colleges. Participate in grade school career day. Volunteer with your local chapter. The list goes on and on. The point is, there's always a way to contribute your skills and talents. You just have to get inspired and go for it!
Why it's a great opportunity: GET INSPIRED
This call to action is particularly important because it symbolizes that we all have something to contribute, no matter how big or small. Moreover, this one is significant because you can get inspired and make a difference even if you're not at a traditional architecture firm or maybe you're not working at all. Becoming a local leader and staying active with your chapter keeps you connected to the profession and ultimately inspires other associates and interns to do the same. It's easy to let your membership lapse when you're "just another member". But this is your chance to really make a difference and let others see how special you are.
Difficulty: MODERATE to HIGH
Throughout my first year as Associate Director, I've met some truly inspiring individuals. I'm most inspired by those that take a small idea that they're passionate about and turn it into something amazing. I challenge each of you to reach deep down and pull out your best idea. Set a goal or give yourself a timeline. What wonderful things can you accomplish this year in your personal life, professional life, or as a local leader? Whatever it is, keep us informed. We want to cheer you along. As your Associate Director, my goal is facilitate the sharing of ideas and helping each of you make the greatest impact possible.
So I say once again, take your pick and take action!
I look forward to hearing about all the "Associates in Action" through AIA Pennsylvania.
