Bruce Sekanick, FAIA, OAA

A little more than a week ago, I participated in one of the many great programs that was offered at the AIA Ohio 2024 Annual Conference.  (If you missed it, you probably missed one of the best conferences that AIA Ohio has developed…but I digress).  During this session, a member commented that they had no idea that AIA Ohio was working on so many things. So, when the opportunity came about a few days later to write an article for the fall AIA Ohio Architypes, I decided to jump at the opportunity and write a brief article on some of the work that is ongoing at the state level here in Ohio.

While AIA Ohio may be best known for holding an annual state conference, or an advocacy day, or maybe the weekly continuing education email, those activities and events are just part of what occurs throughout the year.  So, to help others who may not regularly participate in, or hear about the work of AIA Ohio, I decided to put down on paper (or whatever you’re reading this on) the efforts that AIA Ohio is pursuing. So here goes… 

Government Advocacy Committee

You probably know that AIA Ohio has a Government Advocacy Committee.   Maybe you’ve heard that we have an Advocacy Day each year.  Maybe you’ve even heard about or contributed to the PAC.  What you probably don’t know about however is the ongoing work of the committee.  While the committee meets regularly throughout the year to review legislation and discuss threats or opportunities for the profession, you probably don’t know the specific issues that we consider.  This year, AIA Ohio’s Government Advocacy Committee has task forces set up to look at the following issues:

  • A task force was established earlier this year to help develop a means to educate public entities on the proper use of Qualification Based Selection.  While most know the concept, there are still a number of entities that don’t understand the specifics of the QBS process.  Often, negotiations are put before selection, or “non-binding” cost proposals are suggested.  Neither of these are within the guardrails of QBS, and these “added” elements eat away at the edges of the QBS process.  This task force has issued educational pieces to help inform public clients of the proper use of Ohio’s QBS legislation. This group has worked hand in hand with AIA Ohio’s Public Awareness Work Group in the development of the QBS material.
  • Housing Affordability. This is one of the newest task forces established within AIA Ohio.  This program is working to develop initiatives and to suggest positions for AIA Ohio to take to advocate in support of Housing Affordability.  More than just affordable housing, this group is looking at the much broader issue of how the cost of housing, and housing affordability affects many other parts of livable communities in Ohio.
  • Point Access Block Stair. While part of a smaller group of the AIA Ohio Codes Task Force, this group of members is exploring the adoption of point access block stairs in some apartment structures.  Reviewing the work and legislation ongoing in other states, this group is working with state agencies and offices in determining the viability of using similar code language in Ohio.
  • Residential Building Code. Part of the AIA Ohio Codes Task Force, these members are looking forward to participating in proposed changes to the Residential Building Code later this year and early next year.  Similar to the participation of AIA Ohio as a stakeholder in the OBC revisions last year, the Task Force will be reviewing the proposed changes to the RBC on behalf of Ohio’s architectural community.
  • OFCC Documents. Working with the OFCC and other stakeholders, AIA Ohio members have participated in the review of proposed changes to a number of the documents used by the OFCC.  These documents affect a range of issues and AIA members are actively collaborating in this process.
  • OFCC Industry Group. The AIA along with other organizations meet regularly with the OFCC to discuss issues, concerns, and needs of the various stakeholders.  The meetings will continue this year as the OFCC works to better serve their clients.

Member Engagement Work Group

This year’s annual conference is a wrap and AIA Ohio will soon start the planning process for next year.  While member engagement can sometimes work on a variety of projects, the annual conference is the primary focus of this group of engaged leaders.  From the call for presentations, program jury, event planning, continuing education write-ups and submissions, and the planning of tours and activities, the member engagement committee is active year-round to help provide AIA members with quality programming. From planning new events, like the LUs & Brews, to the development of quality tours, this work group helps bring together members from every chapter across the state. 

EPFF Planning Task Group

A few years ago, the Emerging Professional Friendly Firm program was started to encourage support of Emerging Professionals from across the state.  While authorized by the Board, the development of the program rests with a group of members and staff who review the process, and the criteria on which the recognitions have been established.  Through thoughtful and carefully considered questions, the EPFF group works to improve the experiences of all emerging professionals in Ohio.

Sponsorship Committee

Maybe more outwardly recognizable for what they do than who they are, the sponsorship committee is responsible for building relationships with our industry partners to advance the efforts of the AIA in Ohio.  The sponsorship committee, while associated with AIA Ohio finances, works closely with Membership Engagement and others to help make programs affordable. This group is also directly responsible for working with member engagement in the development of the LUs & Brews event at the conference. 

Organizational Vitality Work Group

Maybe even a little more anonymous than even the sponsorship committee, the Organizational Vitality Work Group works to elevate the work of AIA Ohio through improved governance.  This group has a number of goals connected to their charge, but most of its efforts are aimed at improving the AIA through a review of the management, contracts, and the organization’s rules and bylaws.  Ultimately the responsibility of the Board, this committee works on fine tuning the organization to better meet the needs of AIA members. This committee is beginning its work to update and rebuild the AIA Ohio Political Action Committee.

Public Awareness Work Group

The Public Awareness Work Group, as noted above, worked with the Advocacy Committee in the development of AIA Ohio’s QBS education program.  The documents developed by the committees are being circulated to public members throughout the state as well as to AIA membership.  This work group also works on improving AIA Ohio’s member directory, examining and recommending changes to the AIA Ohio Design and Honor Awards programs, and developing the AIA Ohio Annual Report. 

So while AIA Ohio may sometimes appear to have little on the agenda, nothing could be further from the truth.  These efforts, combined with the work of AIA staff and officers, and affiliated groups such as the AIA Ohio Foundation, work together to solve problems and advance member needs. Each and every week, AIA Ohio committees, work groups, and task forces work to advance the standing of the architectural profession in Ohio.

And now, you know.