ArchiTypes Winter 2010

Amazingly enough, although not really all that surprising, the year will finish just like it started.  In January, we had many questions about the economy and I guess we still do, but at least there seems to be a few more of us with a little more work and hopefully an improving bottom line.  In a similar way, we started the year with questions about our profession, and I guess we are still trying to get an idea of where new technology, business practices, and the challenges of time, budget and our passion for creativity will lead us.  And, I suppose we will still be looking at the same issues this time next year.  But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t, or can’t, try to plan.

Earlier this month, AIA Ohio held our annual board retreat in Columbus that brought together the leadership of the seven Ohio AIA chapters along with the staff, directors and officers of AIA Ohio.  This meeting, planned by President-elect Steve Shinn AIA, was part of our annual effort to gather opinions and comments from the local leadership, to work to communicate efforts and to identify needs of member architects, and associates, across the state.  As part of this planning session, Regional Director Deb Kunce, AIA, helped the attendees consider issues and needs of the organization and to incorporate them into a strategic planning tool know as “the weave”.  This tool, unveiled earlier this year at Grassroots, helps the organization align our efforts with those of the Institute.  While this effort was just a start, it provided invaluable insight into where we should be directing our energies and resources.  Most of you have probably heard the old saying, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there”.  Hopefully, because of this effort, our roadmap is now better defined.

For most of the year, the efforts of the board have been directed to improving communication between components and making attempts at trying new things, or initiating new efforts.  Because of these efforts, I am more convinced than ever that AIA is not broken.  We just need to constantly not only accept and adjust to change, but lead change.  There are more than a few who know that my favorite saying for the year was “…throw it against the wall, and see what sticks”.   I guess the end result is we have tried a lot of new things, and while they were not all successful, we at least learned a lot from them.  It’s also important for us to remember that what didn’t work for us this year, might just be the answer next year.  These efforts can only be successful if we agree to work together and understand our differences as well as our common needs.  I have confidence that as the economy shows improved signs of life, as we refine our planning efforts, and as we continue to work together and try new things, AIA will become the leader we need to be.

This time of the year is also about change.  Soon we will move into a new year and AIA Ohio will be represented by a strong group of competent, passionate and forward-looking leaders, with the addition of Secretary-elect Elizabeth Murphy, FAIA and under the guidance of President-elect Steve Shinn, AIA.  I believe that it is our responsibility as members to support this leadership when called upon, and to provide input and feedback as necessary to let them understand our needs, as individual members, as well as the needs of the profession overall. 

Over the past week and a half I have also come to the realization that as outgoing president, I will too have to accept change.  As we move into next year, I realize there are more, but different, ways I hope to be involved in the AIA, and in the profession.  I have learned more than I ever anticipated and have been challenged in ways unanticipated, but I have also truly enjoyed every minute of the past eleven months. I also realized that I am not part of the AIA, but rather the AIA is part of me.  That is how most of you know me.  In most cases, I would not have had the privilege of meeting many of you without the AIA, and for that opportunity, I am very thankful. 

I want to finish this article by thanking everyone for their efforts and energy during the last twelve months (…or twelve years, but who’s counting). While I probably spoke too long at the awards program at the AIA Convention in Toledo, I think it’s important for everyone to remember that our successes are the result of the hard work of many people.  Without the dedication of our chapter directors, committee members, the local chapter staff and Executive Directors, and the work of David Field, Hon AIA, CAE and Kate Brunswick, CAE, most of the programs offered, visits arranged, or events planned would not have occurred. We also need to thank our families, business partners and staff for their silent contributions to the AIA, by holding-down-the-fort and picking-up-the-slack, that allowed some of us the time to run around the state and represent this great organization.  I noted the AIA Ohio Convention in Toledo.  I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Convention Chair Steve Shake, AIA and the entire convention committee who worked so very hard during the past year.  I have received many phone calls complimenting the committee for the work they did and the programs offered.  The venue was perfect in every way and AIA Toledo, and all who participated in the planning of the event, should take pride in the fact that this was an exceptional convention.  Thank you and congratulations.

Finally, my challenge as we move forward, to every level of the membership, is to continue to come up with new ideas to throw against the wall.  Who knows just what might stick.