Message from the AIA Oregon Executive Vice President

Curt Wilson, AIA
AIAO Executive Vice President/CEO

The summer is in full swing, 2020 is more than half over, and we’re in month four of limited physical interactions due to COVID 19.  Personally, I’ve been in the role of AIA Oregon Executive VP/CEO for a year now, so I want to take this opportunity to mention what we are working on.

Website Update

Communication has been a priority over the past year, including a more comprehensive use of the Thursdays@Three (T@3), introduction of the Message From feature, expansion of the website, and a more active approach to social media. We recently completed the first of two phases of our communication plan, and hope to start phase 2 in the Fall.

The upgrades to the home page as described in the newsletter reflect some of the recent planning. Up next is the addition of a Find an Architect feature and I expect to announce the roll out schedule soon.

Social Justice Plan

Society’s response to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer was a wake up call for many of us to the systemic racism that we’ve already allowed to fester for too long.  AIA, AIA Oregon, many firms, and many individuals vowed to no longer remain silent, and to commit to doing more and doing better.  AIA Oregon held a Social Justice Listening session on June 5, which was attended by more than 130 people.  In response to the listening session, we developed a Social Justice Action Plan.  Check out the update on the SJAC from the 7/1 T@3.

The overall objective, to “Dismantle Systematic Racism within the Architecture Profession” is a daunting task, and will require a coordinated effort from all members, and future members, of our profession.  This is overwhelming, and will remain overwhelming until we develop an incremental plan to address tasks.  This is the current effort of the steering committee that is leading the action plan, and we plan to update our progress in early August.  Please let me know if you would like to be involved.

Design Awards Task Force

AIA Oregon created a task force to evaluate the various design recognition programs we have, including the Portland Architecture Awards and the Eugene People’s Choice Awards programs, and to recommend refinements or changes.  This includes developing purpose statements to clarify why we have these programs and what we are trying to achieve.  The task force’s work will be complete soon, and they will provide an overview in the July 23 T@3.

The task force and board are in agreement that we should implement the changes we want to see through improvements to our existing programs, and those programs will occur in 2020 in a virtual format.  Look for more information about the schedule for the Portland Architecture Awards and Eugene People’s Choice program in the July 23 T@3.  We also hope to have an update on the status of people’s choice programs in other sections at that time. 

I want to comment on the name “Portland Architecture Awards”.  This is an established program by the former AIA Portland Chapter and is one of, if not THE best awards program within AIA.  The board and task force agree this program will transition to the chapter-wide awards program, however we have not yet defined the transition schedule, including the change to the title.  All agree that eligibility to participate is available across the chapter.

AIA National Business Meeting

An impact of the pandemic was the cancellation of the AIA Conference on Architecture in Los Angeles in May.  The AIA Annual Meeting is typically held during the Conference on Architecture, and this is when national board officers are elected and resolutions authorized by delegates from all chapters.  The 2020 AIA Annual Meeting has been rescheduled to September 1 as a virtual meeting, and all members are welcome to participate.  The AIA Oregon board will identify the candidates we support at the August 21 board meeting, and your input is welcome.  We will schedule a discussion in early August open to all members to review the candidates.  Check the event page on the AIA Oregon website in the next few weeks for the date.  Information on the candidates, including videos, are available here, and in the News from National section of the AIA Oregon’s Website.

Event Planning for 2020

In response to the pandemic, we significantly scaled back our events and programs.  Since April, we’ve focused on the Digital Design Series (see the listing of upcoming presentations in this week’s T@3 newsletter), Virtual Happy Hours, luncheon learns, and monthly committee meetings.  The Digital Design Series has been a delightful addition to our programming line up and I expect we’ll continue the series as part of our regular programming.  We record all of the presentations, and you can check them out here.

Moving forward, we intend to expand our event and program offerings in 2020.  We expect this will include virtual versions of the following programs:

·       Future Vision (by CoEDI)

·       Green Champion Summit (by CoTE)

·       PATH to Leadership and the Business of Architecture Series

·       Portland Architecture Awards

·       Eugene People’s Choice

Most of these programs will be implemented through multi-session series, and all will be virtual.  The staff team is researching digital platforms and video production options to deliver quality beyond a typical Zoom session.  Please note that we expect these events will occur between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, so it will be a busy fall for AIA Oregon.  Please let me know if you are interested in assisting in the planning effort for any of these programs.

You will notice the Chris White Golf Tournament is not included above.  I don’t anticipate we’ll hold the event in 2020 in a manner we’ve done recently, but we continue to hold the reservation at Langdon Farms for the afternoon of September 25, and the need to fundraise for emerging professional scholarships remains a critical need.  What do you think?  How should we move forward here?

Curt Wilson, AIA
cwilson@aiaoregon.org

Message from a Former AIA Portland Board Director/Officer

from the soul... from the heart…

william hart
former aia portland board director/officer

Recently I was honored and given the opportunity to share my thoughts on the current crisis underway that is threatening our communities.  After some reflection, I recognized an opportunity where my sharing may assist our colleagues to cope with today's challenging and disorienting times. First off, I don't have the answers, but I may have some options for you to consider.

But who am I?  I'm an African American from the east coast who grew up in a small town, and at an early age decided I wanted to become an architect. I have never regretted the decision for a second, but there have been some challenges along the way.  Education began as an undergrad at Dartmouth and then a graduate degree at U of Oregon before a career in Oregon.  I've traveled around the world working and conducting research on indigenous architecture and sustainable design/construction from a variety of distinct cultures and communities.

By now, you've been sent numerous messages about the peaceful protests and police violence, but I wanted to focus on a different message.  My focus is the network of institutional racism that has been the knee on the neck of people of color.  It's a trait that has defined this country.

 "Institutional racism: a form of racism expressed in the practice of social and political institutions.  It is reflected in disparities regarding wealth, income, criminal justice, employment, housing, health care, political power and education, among other factors."

Through this crisis we are witnessing the extent of the disparities in many aspects of our communities of color.   And while we struggle with COVID-19 and witness police killings on Black Americans across this country, climate change is ravishing our planet.  We find arctic poles and glaciers melting. We are destroying the foods we grow while people are starving across the world.  And plastics, plastics are everywhere, in the ocean, and in our fish.  Australia's fires haven't stopped burning yet.  What about the forced migration of communities, which encircles the globe?

When asked,  "What do I do in light of these challenges?"

My response is simple.

I dig deeper within myself in recognition that my voice and my actions need to be heard and acted upon.  As an architect I view my role to listen to people and provide design services to help shape our physical world while making our communities healthy and sustainable.  But my role is to serve and inspire black, indigenous, and people of color to get involved and participate in shaping the future.  I’m a mentor to assist young designers of color who seek a career in the design and construction industry or perhaps an innovative new role within the industry.  I support cultural diversity in leadership as a significant component of a healthy organization for a balanced leadership.

COVID-19 and the brutal, senseless killings of Black Americans are exposing and giving us a view of the divide.  Let's look at America's social systems and see whose needs are considered first.  It's time to change all that.  We need strong leadership to engage with communities to explore and create innovative and culturally sensitive solutions to our social issues.

Now is the time for new leadership to emerge, and for established leaders to find new ways to lead.  Use this time to reflect on your role in making the world a better place for somebody else, perhaps for someone less fortunate.  As we begin to gather using social distancing, now is the time to reach out and communicate with new people and new faces.  Get out of the box and be ready for change.

It's time for a shift but this one won't start at the top.  Leadership from the top is often needed to change or bring about a shift culture.  But when the leadership isn't there, new leadership needs to emerge. We will always have leaders, but it's the leadership that counts.

But I believe this time is unique, or at least I hope so.  A courageous, young, white America is stepping up as they see their future, society and democracy begin to crumble in front of them.  They join the frontline protesters who have been on the streets for decades.   They recognize that we are all in this and it's more powerful with all of our multi-cultural brothers and sisters together.  The rules are changing again, but in a way that supports these marginalized and underserved communities.

Consider on how you're going to get involved.  What is your passion? Find an issue, find a community, adopt a challenge and go for it.  There is plenty of stuff out there that needs some attention.  Dig in and get involved. Be a mentor for someone or make a connection between colleagues. Show us your leadership as you develop holistic, regenerative, sustainable designs, which promote health and wellbeing.  You've explored energy efficient systems and developed innovative modular building systems.  Using the IoT (internet of things) SMART cities and towns harvest real-time data to support the infrastructure of these revitalized and innovative communities.  Communities should be healthy, efficient, and provide shelter to all members of society. 

The response to COVID is forcing humanity to reset to accept new behaviors and lifestyle.  We will need leaders like you as we transition to a new vision.  We have many challenges in front of us and leadership is required.  There really is a surplus of resources; we just need to do better at balancing them.  The skills and talents we have, whether developed or emerging, are necessary for us to move ahead.  What could the future look like?  How will the physical landscape evolve as it interfaces with all aspects of our communities?

The challenges continue to come.  Leadership needs to emerge.  Perhaps now is your time. 

We need you.

Message from the 2020 AIA NW+PR Strategic Council Representative

Roderick Ashley, FAIA
NW&PR Representative to the AIA Strategic Council

Having joined the American Institute of Architects in 1983, I was not always the most active member. I became involved with the AIA Portland Design Awards program several years later but continued to stay on the periphery. I always seemed to find time to attend events but never stepped up get totally involved. As a sole practitioner I always felt there was never time for AIA. But that began to change and once the Oregon Design Conference began – I was hooked. I was a member of the AIA Oregon Council Board of Directors from 2005 until 2016, and after holding every executive committee position, I became President in 2014 and 2015. Prior to that I was the liaison from the Architecture Foundation of Oregon to the Center for Architecture and became Treasurer after several years on that Board. The Architecture Foundation of Oregon was started by five firms in Portland and I was fortunate enough to be invited to serve on their Board, eventually becoming President in 2016 and 2017. Each opportunity became a rich experience with a group of peers and friends that will never be forgotten. I guess I simply found some time…

Now as one of two Regional Representatives for the Northwest and Pacific Region, I am also a member of the AIA Strategic Council, Class of 2018-2020. My dual role is to both help lead the NW&PR and participate in the numerous activities of the Council. This is my last year in this position and I can say without a doubt that it has been one of the most rewarding opportunities I have had in connection with the AIA and during my professional career.

I am often asked what the Strategic Council is about and what it does. When Repositioning began in 2012, the governance model for the AIA was challenged and the National Board of Directors, consisting of over 60 members, was eventually reduced to 16 officers. Most members of the previous Board were Region Directors elected by members of their Regions. In reducing the size of the Board, part of the repositioning plan was to create the Strategic Council comprised of members that would become the strategic thinkers for the Institute.  The new Board of Directors would have the fiduciary responsibility to the Institute’s members and the Council Representatives would be responsible for leading the strategic planning effort.

Tasked with creating the AIA’s Strategic Plan, the Council also became referred to as the “Think Tank”.  Looking ahead to the future for changes, disruptors, opportunities, and how to assure success for its members and the profession, the Council is charged with researching and reporting to the Board on various conditions the Institute and staff might need clarification on, or topics they may not be aware of at all. A maximum of 60 elected Councilors (including 36 Region Representatives) meet four face-to-face times a year, hold monthly virtual assemblies, numerous study-group meetings, and conference calls to achieve their goals.

During my first two years on the Council I worked with the Transforming Architectural Education Study Group (TAE). We were looking far into the future to better understand both the needs of students and emerging professionals entering the profession, and of the profession and how practitioners were relying upon academia to provide the appropriate education for future architects. As circumstances quickly evolve students and practitioners need to be ready and trained for rapid transitions. Our work looked at trends in higher education in general and other professions that were also transforming their educational programs. This work led to our reviewing all of the documentation for assisting the AIA Board in their role at the National Architectural Accrediting Board’s ARForum 19, a collection of five collaterals (AIA, AIAS, ACSA, NCARB, and NAAB) in a progressive conference designed to transform the accreditation process for architecture schools. (Portland’s Barbara Sestak, FAIA, and former Dean at PSU is this year’s NAAB President)

Last year my Study Group encouraged the AIA Board to create a permanent staff position to continue our work as it was of utmost importance to both our current and future practitioners. This year I am working on the Technology’s Impact on Practice Study Group (TIP) in conjunction with the Technology in Architectural Practice Knowledge Community. We are interested in what technologies are available, how they impact our practice, how our services are valued, and how technology in general is continuing to change how we practice. These study groups consist of Strategic Council Representatives and invited members from all AIA regions.

Presently there are 19 AIA regions; 11 multi-state regions like the NW&PR, 7 single-state regions, and the International Region. Approximately 43 percent of members are assigned to the single-state regions and the International Region has approximately 2,600 members. The NW&PR is the fourth largest Region and the largest multi-state Region with over 6,000 members.

Every year the NW&PR holds our Annual Meeting and Leadership Summit in conjunction with one of our component’s annual conferences. This year was to be hosted by AIA Idaho in Sun Valley, but for obvious reasons we have recently decided that we will convene a virtual event in September. It is at this gathering that leaders from the NW&PR’s components have the opportunity to discuss issues and opportunities affecting their members and operations. Several work sessions are held during this daylong event, and these sessions provide topics from our members that are delivered back to the Strategic Council to help assemble the next year’s study groups. The Annual Meeting is open to all members in the Region. However, to facilitate more in-depth and interactive conversation and collaboration, the Leadership Summit is reserved for component leadership only.

As President of AIA Oregon, I was very involved in and privy to the early conversations regarding restructuring the four Oregon Chapters into the single Chapter it is today, and was involved in many discussions and Board meetings regarding Repositioning. Assuring all members would have access to the same opportunities, strengthening member services, and streamlining governance were the main priorities. The local, state, and national tiers of the Institute were studied in detail. However, during the repositioning years, the study of Regions was overlooked due to the fact that Regions are not components of the Institute.

As you may be aware, AIA Portland and AIA Oregon introduced a resolution to study the region structure at the Conference on Architecture, A’18 in Las Vegas. Approved at the September 2018 Board meeting, a Task Force was appointed to study the issues raised in the resolution and prepare a final report to the Board.  Han-Mei Chiang, 2018 AIA Portland Chapter President, and myself were selected to be on the twelve-person Task Force along with three national staff members and moderated by McKinley and Associates, a consulting firm that has been associated with many of AIA’s initiatives and knows the Institute well.                   .

At this year’s April AIA Board meeting, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a new model that will bring region responsibilities to the State Council and State Chapter level.  Dissolving the regions and moving to the single-state model for selecting representatives to the Strategic Council is a move that is intended to provide more direct representation for members. A Task Force has just been assembled that will study the ramifications of this decision and help to prepare an operational plan that will be presented at next year’s Annual Business Meeting in Philadelphia during the A’21 Conference on Architecture. If the Board action is passed by delegates at that event, it is anticipated these changes will not occur until 2022. There is little other information available at this time as the Task Force is just beginning their work.

The College of Fellows (COF), Small Firm Exchange (SFx), Young Architects Forum (YAF), and the National Associates Committee (NAC) all have representation coming from the Regions. The NW&PR has five members from these organizations on the Region Board of Delegates. How this change impacts these organizations within the Institute will be studied and should be a critical component of the study.

There are five At-Large Representative to the AIA Strategic Council positions open annually on the Council, and are voted on by the Council in late July. I strongly urge any of you to look into this wonderful opportunity to be a part of the future of our profession and the Institute. Nominations are due June 19 at 5:00 EDT - instructions are available HERE.  If you have any questions regarding this rewarding opportunity, please email me at roderickashleyarchitect@gmail.com or call 503 522 5558.