In yet another adaptation to the pandemic, AIA’s signature leadership and advocacy event, Grassroots 2021 was held last month in a virtual format. The conference included a wide range of leadership programs and biennial Hill Visits with federal lawmakers. In one memorable session, Robert Nichols, Assoc. AIA gave an inspiring presentation on the work of the World Deaf Architecture Association, which he co-founded. Speaking through an interpreter, Mr. Nichols spoke of the importance of courage when engaging people that have different backgrounds than your own, sharing this quote:
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
Winston Churchill
Mr. Nichols is a leader with tremendous courage, perseverance and passion who speaks on behalf of architects and designers that are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing. His leadership and advocacy has provided opportunities for networking, professional development and education worldwide.
AIA Virginia has never been more resolved to strengthening the culture of advocacy within our organization. During this unusual time, when society and communities are facing multiple complex challenges related to the built environment, the problem-solving expertise and passion of architects are needed more than ever. AIA Virginia believes it is particularly important that we demonstrate how to advocate for architecture’s value to emerging professionals. Inspiring architects to think of themselves as advocates for our profession and the built environment is of critical importance to the future of our profession.
One of the six goals of the 2020 – 2022 Strategic Plan is “Invest in the future generations and develop visionary leaders for service.” In response, AIA Virginia is launching the first annual Architects Speak Up!, a structured and coordinated outreach event, which will be held during May. This event will provide an excellent opportunity for AIA Virginia members to connect with their in-district state lawmakers virtually and advocate for the value architects bring to improving people’s lives, communities and the built environment. Key goals of this event include:
- Inspiring and empowering members to speak up for our profession
- Cultivating relationships with state lawmakers
- Building advocacy capacity throughout the local components
- Training members to become an integral part of advocacy
- Growing the culture of the AIA Virginia PAC
Participants will be equipped with knowledge, insights, tools, and resources to communicate effectively with confidence in the legislative meetings. See the post in this Newsletter to register for Architects Speak Up!
While AIA members broadly view advocacy as a core member value and need, the percentage of members who engage in advocacy is quite low. Traditionally, many architects think advocacy is something done by a few people. One of the key goals of Architects Speak Up! is to inspire a greater number of architects to become advocates.
Why?
Because there is strength in numbers and the decisions of lawmakers and other key influencers impact all architects, their businesses and the communities they serve. By increasing our advocacy capacity Virginia architects will expand their influence at all levels of state and local government and use it for the purpose of having a seat at the table when bills are crafted on the big issues of our time: access to affordable housing; resilience and climate change; justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, amongst other issues. We can begin by empowering the next generation to speak up on behalf of our profession to improve people’s lives and transform the built environment.
Sean E. Reilly, AIA
AIA Virginia President
AIA Virginia PAC Board of Trustees member
