Message from the AIA Oregon EVP/CEO

Heather Wilson,
AIA Oregon EVP/CEO

Your AIA Membership: The MVP of Your Professional Journey

I don’t know how many of you are geared up for the big game this weekend, but I know I’m excited. This year’s Superbowl will be held in Allegiant Stadium, the newest NFL facility, and a show of its own. At a cost of approximately $1.97B (yes, that’s a “B”) the project from Manica Architecture included public, private, and taxpayer dollars and is a LEED ® Gold rated Building. The venue website includes a page on its sustainability initiatives, and I am going to be just as fascinated with the building itself as the event going on inside. As far is I’m concerned, the MVP of the game is the architectural team!

In the ever-evolving world of architecture, who is your MVP? AIA Oregon knows that staying ahead of the curve is critical. As an AIA Oregon member, you have access to an unparalleled network of resources and opportunities, where you can maximize your potential. Renewing your membership is not just an expense, it's an investment in your professional growth and success. Here's why:

1. Connect and Collaborate:

Networking: Gain access to a vibrant community of architects, designers, and industry professionals at local events, conferences, and online forums. Forge valuable connections, share knowledge, and build lasting partnerships.

Mentorship: Tap into the wisdom and experience of seasoned professionals through the AIA Oregon community. Gain guidance, insights, and career advice to navigate challenges and propel your aspirations through committee and section participation.

2. Elevate Your Expertise:

Continuing Education: Access exclusive member discounts on top-notch, locally focused seminars, workshops, tours and webinars. Stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and regulations in our state and region, keeping your skills and knowledge razor-sharp.

Leadership Development: Participate in leadership events and volunteer opportunities. Hone your communication, collaboration, and project management skills, positioning yourself for leadership roles within the industry.

3. Advocate for Your Profession:

Legislative Influence: Join AIA Oregon's advocacy efforts to shape public policy decisions impacting the future of architecture. Your voice matters, and together, you can ensure a favorable environment for architects to thrive.

Public Awareness: Contribute to shaping the public perception of architecture through AIA Oregon's outreach programs. Educate the community about the value of architects and design professionals, promoting your expertise and services.

4. Boost Your Business:

Marketing Resources: Leverage AIA Oregon's marketing tools and directories to gain greater visibility and attract potential clients. Showcase your work, connect with leads, and expand your business horizons.

Awards and Recognition: Submit your projects for prestigious AIA Oregon awards programs. Gain industry recognition, enhance your portfolio, and attract new opportunities.

5. Invest in Yourself:

Member Discounts: Take advantage of exclusive member discounts on insurance, publications, and events, stretching your professional budget further.

Career Resources: Access tailored career resources like job boards and salary surveys. Navigate your career path with confidence and secure rewarding opportunities.

Section and Committee Connection: get to know your colleagues locally and find important ways to engage with your AEC community right where you live.

Renewing your AIA Oregon membership is an investment in your future. It's about more than just maintaining access to benefits; it's about embracing a community, enriching your knowledge, shaping your industry, and fostering your professional growth. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to elevate your career to new heights. Renew today and unlock the full potential of your AIA Oregon membership!

Message from the EPC Co-Chair

Evon Calabrese, Associate AIA
Emerging Professionals Committee Co-Chair

I would like to encourage you to attend the first annual AIA Oregon Leadership Summit, February 21, 2024.

At this event AIA members will gather in Salem, Oregon to learn first-hand about current legislative agenda items that affect the architectural community and the clients we serve (guided by the AIA Oregon Legislative Committee). We will also hear from members  and staff of the Oregon State Board of Architectural Examiners (OSBAE) and discuss the importance of personal and professional advocacy.

The Oregon Leadership Summit was especially designed to be an exciting opportunity for emerging professionals and new members. A new, member-driven concept, it gives you the opportunity to discuss ongoing legislation and meet the Oregon licensing board, which is no longer part of the licensure process. For members interested in public policy, governance, and local and national issues, this event is crucial to becoming a “citizen architect,” and you’ll have the chance to meet with your state representatives at the Capitol.

Not sure if this is for you? Join me February 7 for an informational session with my co-chair, Savannah Sinowitz, and AIAO EVP / CEO Heather Wilson. We’ll discuss what to expect, how to prepare, and how you can have the greatest impact on policies that shape your professional landscape.

 AIA Oregon is offering reimbursements for attendees actively participating in AIA Section or State-wide Committees as well as AIA Associate member Emerging Professionals committee members working toward licensure.

Reimbursement will be provided for travel to and from the event (from your home Section) and for one night hotel stay in Salem. We’ll also carve out some time to get to know each other in a more casual setting, so keep an eye out for information on an Emerging Professionals Social Hour the evening before in Salem.

Schedule:
2/20    5:00pm           Evening EP Social Hour

2/21    9:00am           Breakfast and Priority Issue Briefing (Salem YMCA)

            10:00am        Advocacy Visits (Oregon Capitol)

            12:00pm        Lunch with OSBAE and the Power of Personal Advocacy

                                    Event is scheduled to conclude by 2pm.           

I hope to see new faces as well as those of you I know are passionate about how we, as architects, can have a stronger voice for the built environment and the communities we live in and serve. Please reach out with questions! We would love to hear from you.

Register for this event here

Evon Calabrese, AIA
Co-Chair, AIAO EP Committee

Message from the AIA Oregon HQ Task Force Co-Chairs

Elisa Ahn, AIA
Alan Scott, FAIA
Co-Chairs, AIA Oregon HQ Task Force

AIA Oregon HQ Task Force: Pivoting Beyond Bricks and Mortar

Throughout 2023, the HQ Task Force embarked on a mission to not just find a new address, but to reimagine our presence in Oregon. We started with questions: What do members want from the chapter? How can we meet your needs, recognizing the ways in which we live, work, and interact are changing? What financial realities do we face?

As we delved into the hearts and minds of our diverse membership, a nuanced picture emerged – one that caused the Task Force to question our initial assumption that the answer to our challenges lay in a new HQ space or spaces. We realized that, in addition to being financially restrictive, a traditional brick-and-mortar investment was not what most members wanted. Instead, you told us that investing in physical spaces could mean getting stuck: with big recurring costs, in locations that would leave some people out, and in spaces that may quickly become architecturally dated.

This brought us to a paradigm shift. After deeply listening, we moved away from our limited exploration of physical space and toward a broad reconsideration of AIA Oregon’s relationship with people and places.

The result is a set of recommendations adopted by the Board of Directors last week. Our top recommendation was that the chapter should not pursue ownership or long-term leases of spaces, for now. From there, we pivoted into what the chapter should do, introducing specific actions and initiatives to strengthen and serve Oregon’s architecture community.

Our recommendations include:

• Hiring additional AIA Oregon staff to support sections and grow member engagement

• Investing in new, statewide programs – and providing clarity and resources for anyone involved in planning events

• Reimagining the structure of section steering committees to provide more support to volunteers, nurture leaders, and encourage broader participation

• Boosting advocacy and civic involvement at the board level and beyond

• Developing a mini grant program to support architectural initiatives in Oregon communities

• Reimagining our Allied Professional membership, with an eye toward building stronger bonds throughout the A/E/C community

As co-chairs of the AIA Oregon HQ Task Force, we believe this bold step away from the traditional HQ model represents a defining moment in our history. It's a decision guided by unwavering member focus, financial prudence, and a vision for a future where every architect across Oregon feels connected, supported, and empowered to thrive.

We are deeply grateful to the Task Force members who volunteered their time and effort to create this new vision, and to everyone who showed up to help us define our new opportunities together. We look forward to seeing these ideas come to life – and to experiencing the impact of a strengthened foundation and a community-led vision for our chapter.

Elisa Ahn and Alan Scott
Co-chairs, AIA Oregon HQ Task Force

You can go to our Creating a New HQ webpage to learn more.