Message from the AIAO EVP/CEO

Heather Wilson
AIA Oregon Executive Vice President/CEO

We need your voice at the table

This week, you will see a reissue of our call for Board Leadership. I hope you’ll see some key changes to the message that make it clear that the only prerequisite to leadership here at AIA Oregon is your interest. Your membership entitles you to a voice at the table.

First, we are changing the term ”nomination” to “application”. This is a deliberate change in the hopes that the intention of inclusion and belonging are clearly shared and understood. This process is not closed, nor are there any other membership prerequisites. If you are a member of AIA Oregon (Associate, International Associate, or AIA), then you are eligible for application.

Also, we would like to be clear that if you are a member of NOMA nationally or locally, you are considered eligible for AIA Oregon leadership, and we extend the full rights and privileges of membership in AIA Oregon to all NOMA members. That includes member pricing on events, opportunities to lead, and participation in awards programs.

The AIA Oregon Board and Executive Committee wish to express their commitment to removing boundaries to participation. If financial hardship is an obstacle, please contact Heather Wilson directly to discuss your interest and a solution that will get your voice at the table: hwilson@aiaoregon.org.

AIA Oregon Board members enjoy discounted pricing to all Chapter events, including ODC (Oregon Design Conference),OAA (Oregon Architecture Awards), and support for travel to events such as the AIA National conference, Grassroots, and Women’s Leadership Summit. Additional benefits include meals and learning opportunities, Board supported training and retreats!

Board members are expected to attend meetings held monthly for roughly 2 hours. That time commitment may be augmented with additional committee responsibilities; as such, nominees should expect between 4-5 hours of volunteer time per month will need to be dedicated to AIA Oregon business.

We hope that this helps clarify both the expectations and the benefits of serving AIA Oregon –please feel free to click this link to the full announcement for further descriptions of our available Board positions for 2022 –President-Elect, Treasurer, and Director-At-Large.

Message from the AIAO EVP/CEO

Heather Wilson
AIA Oregon Executive Vice President/CEO

Cultivating Genuine Exchange

If you did not know already, the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) will be hosting their annual conference October 26-30, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. Our very own BRIC Architecture, the largest WBE-Certified architecture firm in Oregon, will be represented in a presentation on “Cultivating an Equitable and Inclusive Office Culture” and you can still register to see it!

NOMA members in Oregon are also often AIA members, and participate eagerly, leading our conversations on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Social Justice in the Built Environment, and providing representation on our Board and in our Committees so that our conversations about how to build better places to live work and play is a truly diverse conversation, inviting and inclusive.

The way AIA Oregon members can best display our connection, I believe, would be to participate fully in the exchange. Many questions you have as a firm principal, new architect, student or business owner will be answered at this conference. The presentations will come from a fresh perspective, and you will likely gain educational insights that come from cultural exchange with a genuine desire to learn.

Your 2024 AIA President, Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, is a NOMA member, and made many aspects of her platform about the connection she hopes to foster between the organizations through her Presidency. We have the same desire here at AIA Oregon, and the Board of Directors approved the action to recognize all NOMA members as AIA Oregon members – that means every member of NOMA will also be extended the benefits of membership in AIA (member pricing for events, eligibility for leadership positions on the Board of Directors, awards eligibility).

We hope this action continues to foster close ties between NOMA national, NOMA PDX, and AIA Oregon. I personally hope you take the opportunity to sign up for the virtual conference and tune in.

NOMA UNPLUGGED - NASHVILLE 2022 - NOMA

Message from a Young Architect

Nicole Becker, AIA
Associate, ZGF Architects

Consider being the state representative to the YAF

As we approach 2023, the dissolution of the former regions places Oregon in the position to select a state Representative to the Young Architect’s Forum (YAF). The YAF is the voice of recently licensed architects and a catalyst for change within the profession and our communities. Working closely with the AIA College of Fellows and the American Institute of Architects as a whole, the YAF is leading the future of the profession with a focus on architects licensed less than 10 years. The national YAF Advisory Committee is charged with encouraging the development of national and regional programs of interest to young architects and supporting the creation of YAF groups within local chapters.

Approximately 23,000 AIA members are represented by the YAF. YAF programs, activities, and resources serve young architects by providing information and leadership; promoting excellence through fellowship with other professionals; and encouraging mentoring to enhance individual, community, and professional development. There are six areas of focus for the YAF, each led by an Advisory Committee member and consisting of Advisory Committee members, Young Architect Representatives, and other appointed members. Each focus group facilitates interaction with the other focus groups to provide comprehensive support to the initiatives of the YAF. These six areas are: Past Chair Initiative, Communications, Community, Knowledge, Strategic Vision, and Advocacy.

The YAF state Representatives are the primary connection between local AIA chapters and the national YAF Advisory Committee and communicates information to local emerging professionals groups. The Representative contributes to the direction and planning of the YAF by participating in the YAF Annual Meeting, attending YAF full committee conference calls, and working with the advisory committee on various national issues through participation in at least one focus group. The state Representative is a two-year position and time commitment will depend on focus group and established committee goals.

Are you interested in serving on the YAF? Please reach out to Heather at hwilson@aiaoregon.org by October 15, expressing why you are interested in serving on the YAF and where you are in your path in relation to licensure (must be licensed 10 years or less).