There always seems to be so much information going around at the AIA, that it is sometimes really hard to get an overall idea of the scope of the Institutes efforts in keeping us, as members, informed.  As President, I could probably be included in some type of webinar or conference call at least three times a week. ( That is of course, if I didn’t actually want to get any work done for my real job.)  However, every now and then, I do get the opportunity to join in on a few of the presentations, even if it is to listen in the background and gain a little more knowledge of the Institute and it various programs, committees and departments. After yesterdays Government Advocacy Leadership Briefing, I thought it appropriate at this time of year, to provide a few links to AIA sites that, as members, we might not normally visit. Here are a few:

  • Do you want to know if an AIA member is running for office?  Visit the archipac site and find out which architect, on either the local, state, or federal level is running for office.
  • Do you want to know more about the IGCC, the International Green Construction Code?  Click here to find out more on how AIA is working with others on the development of the IGCC.
  • Do you want to know where your Senator or Representative stands on issues? Visit www.aiadesignvote.org to see what key bills they supported or what legislation they introduced.
  • Do you want to expand your vision and learn from your peers?  Visit the AIAKnowledge Net and learn about current issues, practice concerns and other resources available to members.

The above are just a few of the sites and links available through the AIA website.  After surfing the recently updated site, I think many of us will find that there is a lot  more information available than most of us ever realized.  I encourage you to take the time and visit the Institute’s website to get a better understanding of the full range of services available to you, as members of AIA. So as the days get shorter and the evenings colder, now is the time to really put that new ipad to use, and explore aia.org.