Dear Colleague,
On the way home from the office this evening, I turned on the radio to check the news. In addition to the usual reporting, I caught a segment of NPR’s “Cities Project,” a series that focuses on the trends and challenges facing today’s cities. Here was a program heard in prime time by millions talking about the role of America’s architects in creating a better quality of life for our communities.
How did a program like that get on the air? It happened because of you and me committing to be AIA members; that’s why I’m writing to ask you to renew your membership. Our participation and leadership made it possible for the American Institute of Architects to be an underwriter of this high-profile program that elevates the public awareness of the importance of architecture.
Whether the subject is contract documents, professional development programs, advocacy at every level of government, or innovative public outreach programs like NPR’s “Cities Project” or Dr. Richard Jackson’s 4-hour PBS mini-series “Designing Healthy Communities,” it’s our leadership that makes it possible.
When we work as a team to address sustainability, government regulations, knowledge research, energy tax credits, business development, and a myriad of other issues, we enhance our ability to create jobs, prosper economically, and increase the value of what we do in the marketplace. It’s time for us to tell our stories, develop a strong communications strategy, and position AIA members as leaders in the profession, business, politics, and the community. We can do that more effectively as active and involved AIA members.
It’s really a simple concept—the more engaged we are in the AIA, the greater the odds are that we and our firms will be able to do what we’re trained to do best—design a livable, healthy, productive, and sustainable built environment. It’s up to us to make that difference.
There’s a lot more good work we can and will be doing together. I look forward to the opportunities. So please join me in renewing your AIA membership. Together we’ll build a healthy future for the practice of architecture.
Sincerely,
Mickey Jacob, FAIA
2013 AIA President