News from AIA Washington Council - June 22, 2016
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A New Era for AIA Washington Council
The AIA Washington Council has made some bold and exciting changes over the past couple of years, including revising the mission, reorganizing, moving to a new home, and hiring new leadership. This all culminated on May 5th, 2016, when the membership of AIA Washington Council voted to approve new bylaws. These updated bylaws reflect over two years of efforts to refine the Council’s mission, align the membership services, and ultimately create a more meaningful and efficient AIA in our state. A key aspect of these new bylaws includes a streamlined Board of Directors and more opportunities for the membership to guide the advocacy efforts of the AIA in Olympia. Other key aspects include:
On June 7th we officially transitioned from our previous 16 member Board to the new streamlined 8 member Board. During the June 7th Board meeting the Board also authorized a 25% reduction in AIA member dues. This will result in a $45/year reduction for licensed AIA members and a $7/year reduction for Associate AIA members. |
Our New Home
The AIA Washington Council is also excited to be housed in the New Seattle Center for Architecture & Design. This location provides more opportunity to educate our members, and the public, on the work that’s being done to advocate for good design in our built environment down in Olympia. In addition to the new location and organizational structure, we have streamlined our staff and hired a new Executive Director, Jeffrey Hamlett and a new lobbyist, Brad Boswell. Jeffrey will be working out of the new Center for Architecture & Design on Tuesdays and Thursdays (typically), while Brad heads up the lobbying efforts in Olympia. Previously we were located in Olympia, and very few architects took the opportunity to stop by and learn what was going on. Now, we hope to be able to host events in the Center to discuss advocacy topics and possibly even invite representatives to visit with design professionals. Advocacy Efforts The AIA Washington Council is constantly working to support architects, along with supporting a healthy, sustainable, and economically viable built environment. Some of our efforts over the past year, and beyond, have related to promoting good school design to meet the goals of reduced classroom sizes, limiting carbon emissions related to our buildings, and advocating for the robust building codes that make our state a leader. One issue in particular that the AIA was involved with this past year was working with proponents of the Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) industry to help establish the manufacturing capabilities, economic viability, and safety requirements necessary to add this material to our “tool belt” for design in Washington State. With our new structure and mission, AIA Washington Council will continue to advocate for architects in Olympia, while offering opportunities to improve service to AIA members. |
Call for a Special Meeting of AIA|WA Council Membership
Council Update
Pursuant to Article III, Section 7, Sub Section b of the AIA Washington Council Bylaws, the Board of the AIA Washington Council has called for a Special Meeting of the Membership to consider revoking our current Bylaws and replacing them with the Attached Updated Bylaws. These updated Bylaws reflect over 2 years of efforts to refine the Council’s mission, align the membership services throughout the state, and ultimately create a more meaningful and efficient AIA in our state.
The Special Meeting is to be held at the Center for Architecture & Design, 1010 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 from 4:00-5:00 pm on May 5, 2016. Each current Chapter is to send delegates representing the membership of their respective Chapters to discuss, offer amendments (if any), and vote on this change.
If you would like to review a copy of the existing Bylaws please contact me at hamlett@aiawa.org and I will email you a copy. For all other questions, comments, or suggestions, please direct them to your Local Chapter.
Council Mission
In 2014 a Task Force was created to take a fresh look at what the Council’s role should be in serving the AIA membership in Washington State. One result of that effort was a revised Mission as follows.
The Council represents the common interests of the AIA in Washington State on governmental issues that impact the practice of architecture.
The AIA Washington Council:
Member Services Alignment
In 2015, AIA Washington Council was successful in receiving an AIA National Member Services Alignment Grant. This provided us with the means to continue the Task Force’s work and evaluate how every AIA member in the state is able to receive the level of services outlined by AIA National. A key part of this effort was to make the organization more efficient as a means to better serve the membership; ultimately allowing us to reduce the membership dues.
New Bylaws
In order to achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves, the AIA Washington Council Bylaws have been re-written. These new bylaws are structured to comply with the AIA National model bylaws, with provisions to specifically meet the goals of the Council as outlined by the Task Force. Key aspects of these new bylaws include a streamlined Board of Directors and more opportunities for the membership to help guide the advocacy efforts of the AIA in Olympia. The new structure is diagrammed on the following page. Other key aspects include:
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Hamlett, Esq., AIA
Executive Director
AIA Washington Council
Pursuant to Article III, Section 7, Sub Section b of the AIA Washington Council Bylaws, the Board of the AIA Washington Council has called for a Special Meeting of the Membership to consider revoking our current Bylaws and replacing them with the Attached Updated Bylaws. These updated Bylaws reflect over 2 years of efforts to refine the Council’s mission, align the membership services throughout the state, and ultimately create a more meaningful and efficient AIA in our state.
The Special Meeting is to be held at the Center for Architecture & Design, 1010 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 from 4:00-5:00 pm on May 5, 2016. Each current Chapter is to send delegates representing the membership of their respective Chapters to discuss, offer amendments (if any), and vote on this change.
If you would like to review a copy of the existing Bylaws please contact me at hamlett@aiawa.org and I will email you a copy. For all other questions, comments, or suggestions, please direct them to your Local Chapter.
Council Mission
In 2014 a Task Force was created to take a fresh look at what the Council’s role should be in serving the AIA membership in Washington State. One result of that effort was a revised Mission as follows.
The Council represents the common interests of the AIA in Washington State on governmental issues that impact the practice of architecture.
The AIA Washington Council:
- Brings together the components in our state in order to formulate a clear and consistent voice for our profession
- Tracks legislation that could have an impact on the practice of architecture
- Seeks to protect the legal welfare of architects
- Participates with allied organizations as appropriate to further our mission
Member Services Alignment
In 2015, AIA Washington Council was successful in receiving an AIA National Member Services Alignment Grant. This provided us with the means to continue the Task Force’s work and evaluate how every AIA member in the state is able to receive the level of services outlined by AIA National. A key part of this effort was to make the organization more efficient as a means to better serve the membership; ultimately allowing us to reduce the membership dues.
New Bylaws
In order to achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves, the AIA Washington Council Bylaws have been re-written. These new bylaws are structured to comply with the AIA National model bylaws, with provisions to specifically meet the goals of the Council as outlined by the Task Force. Key aspects of these new bylaws include a streamlined Board of Directors and more opportunities for the membership to help guide the advocacy efforts of the AIA in Olympia. The new structure is diagrammed on the following page. Other key aspects include:
- The six (6) Chapters in Washington State that provide the majority of the core member services are working towards migrating to become three (3) Chapters, each with a Section. Vancouver has already successfully become a Section of AIA Southwest Washington Chapter. The AIA Washington Council will remain as the Chapter providing advocacy at the state and federal levels for the other Chapters and Sections.
- Members’ interests on state advocacy issues will be represented through their local Chapters. The Board of Directors will consist of representatives elected or appointed by the Local Chapters who will in turn represent their Chapter’s membership in fulfilling the mission of AIA Washington Council.
- The Annual Business Meeting will be preceded by an Annual Advocacy Summit that will be open to all membership and be a key part of guiding the Council’s advocacy priorities and strategies.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Hamlett, Esq., AIA
Executive Director
AIA Washington Council
Member Services and AIA Spokane
Washington Members Services Alignment
An outcome of AIA National’s Repositioning initiative requires all AIA state components to submit a Memorandum of Understanding by year end 2015 specifying how all their components will work together to best serve all AIA members within that state. States that cannot develop such an MOU will not receive an allocation of Member Service Revenues monies from AIA National starting in 2016. (AIA Spokane's share of these revenues accounts for close to 12% of AIA Spokane's Dues & Support.)
Our Statewide Member Services Task Force recently convened several meetings. On August 21st we met in Spokane, on September 1st with our facilitator, Jay Younger at SeaTac and more recently October 13th via conference call.
Common themes among chapters include the hopes for lower dues and better communication/service across the state, concerns about fair representation on advocacy matters and the fear that smaller components might have trouble maintaining current successful programs. Subsequently the Task Force discussed how these hopes and concerns might play out through a couple of organizational scenarios.
As a result of our discussions, the Task Force has recommended a model that consolidates the current six (6) Chapters into three (3) Chapters, each with a volunteer Section.
Attend AIA Spokane's October 27th Annual Meeting and learn more about proposed changes to AIA WA|Council structure and the proposal for AIA Central WA to become a Section of AIA Spokane.
Questions or concerns? Please contact Cody Dompier or Katherine Mitchell.
Member Services Alignment Task Force
Chair : Geoff Anderson, AIA|WA Council
AIA|WA Council: Mike Slater
AIA Seattle: Mark Cork (on Council Board)
AIA Southwest: Ben Fields (on Council Board)
AIA Spokane: Cody Dompier (on Council Board)
AIA Central: Linda Newcomb (back-up Ryan Monson) (both on Council Board)
AIA Northwest: Mike Smith (on Council Board)
AIA Vancouver: Don Luthardt (on Council Board)
Executive Members:
Lisa Richmond, AIA Seattle
Katherine Mitchell, AIA Spokane
An outcome of AIA National’s Repositioning initiative requires all AIA state components to submit a Memorandum of Understanding by year end 2015 specifying how all their components will work together to best serve all AIA members within that state. States that cannot develop such an MOU will not receive an allocation of Member Service Revenues monies from AIA National starting in 2016. (AIA Spokane's share of these revenues accounts for close to 12% of AIA Spokane's Dues & Support.)
Our Statewide Member Services Task Force recently convened several meetings. On August 21st we met in Spokane, on September 1st with our facilitator, Jay Younger at SeaTac and more recently October 13th via conference call.
Common themes among chapters include the hopes for lower dues and better communication/service across the state, concerns about fair representation on advocacy matters and the fear that smaller components might have trouble maintaining current successful programs. Subsequently the Task Force discussed how these hopes and concerns might play out through a couple of organizational scenarios.
As a result of our discussions, the Task Force has recommended a model that consolidates the current six (6) Chapters into three (3) Chapters, each with a volunteer Section.
- Seattle Chapter / Northwest Washington Section
- Southwest Washington Chapter / Vancouver Section (underway)
- Spokane Chapter / Central Washington Section
Attend AIA Spokane's October 27th Annual Meeting and learn more about proposed changes to AIA WA|Council structure and the proposal for AIA Central WA to become a Section of AIA Spokane.
Questions or concerns? Please contact Cody Dompier or Katherine Mitchell.
Member Services Alignment Task Force
Chair : Geoff Anderson, AIA|WA Council
AIA|WA Council: Mike Slater
AIA Seattle: Mark Cork (on Council Board)
AIA Southwest: Ben Fields (on Council Board)
AIA Spokane: Cody Dompier (on Council Board)
AIA Central: Linda Newcomb (back-up Ryan Monson) (both on Council Board)
AIA Northwest: Mike Smith (on Council Board)
AIA Vancouver: Don Luthardt (on Council Board)
Executive Members:
Lisa Richmond, AIA Seattle
Katherine Mitchell, AIA Spokane
