April – May 2021 Strategic Council/Component monthly briefing: To better inform members of the work and activities of the AIA Strategic Council
Region: The Virginias Regional Representative: Donna Dunay, FAIA Contact info:ddunay@vt.edu
This has been an active spring with the Strategic Council with many initiatives that look to the future of the profession. We hope you find the following note informative. Please be in contact about any potential opportunities or concerns facing the future of the profession.
The Board of Directors of the American Institute of Architects Region of The Virginias has selected Allie Ditzel, AIA, as Regional Director for the 2020 – 2022 term on the Young Architects Forum, a National AIA Committee.
Allie is a Project Architect at HGA Architects & Engineers in Northern Virginia and received her M.Arch from Virginia Tech WAAC. She shared that she believes, “young architects if given the right tools will engage on important issues facing their communities and by default the world. We need to support, mentor and empower individuals to find their place within our field and continue to build a supportive community within the AIA for which they can rely.”
Jay Scruggs, AIA, Director at HGA Architects & Engineers, comments that “Allie is a dedicated employee, and she contributes to the community, our firm, and our office in many ways. Within AIA, Allie provides ARE instruction for young aspiring architects through YAF and AIA Northern Virginia. She also is a mentor through the AIA Women in Architecture Mentorship Pairing Program and attended the Women’s Leadership Summit this year in Minneapolis. Allie has a keen interest in mentorship and furthering the professional growth of young aspiring architects.”
The Young Architects Regional Director (YARD) serves as a link between the YAF and regional AIA members. YARDs are also responsible for gathering information about issues facing young Architects within their Regions and helping to disseminate information about national/regional activities and resources.
Are you an AIA Member interested in the issues confronting young architects? Would you like to help the Young Architects Forum (YAF) address these issues? Then, you may be just the person we’re looking for.
YAF Regional Director Every two years, the AIA Region of The Virginias (Virginia and West Virginia) selects an AIA member licensed for less than 10 years to represent the Region as YAF Regional Director (YARD). Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 – 2021 YARD term.
This is a tremendous opportunity to take on a larger leadership role within the AIA and to enjoy a rewarding experience that allows you to actively engage in shaping the future of the profession as well as to grow your network within the AIA locally, state-wide, regionally and nationally.
YAF Purpose The AIA YAF is the voice of recently licensed Architects and a catalyst for progress within the profession. The national YAF Advisory Committee (AdCom) encourages development of national and regional programs for young architects and supports the creation of YAF groups within local, state and regional components. YAF programs, activities, and resources provide young architects with information and leadership; excellence through fellowship with other professionals; and mentoring to enhance individual, community, and professional development.
YAF Mission/Vision “We ENGAGE recently licensed Architects in leadership to become agents of change within the Institute and the profession overall.
“We INSPIRE professional growth among recently licensed Architects through fellowship within the institute.
“We ADVOCATE for issues of particular relevance to recently licensed Architects to the Institute.
“We SERVE to make AIA memberships meaningful to recently licensed architects through programs and services that effectively anticipate, meet and exceed their needs.
“We PROMOTE mentorship at all career stages to enhance personal growth, community involvement, and professional development.”
YAF Goals “To ENCOURAGE professional growth and leadership development among recently licensed architects through interaction and collaboration within the AIA and allied groups.
“To BUILD a national network and serve as a collective voice for young architects by working to ensure that issues of particular relevance to young architects are appropriately addressed by the Institute.
“To MAKE AIA memberships valuable to young architects and to develop the future leadership of the profession.”
YARD Responsibilities The YARD is the primary connection between local, state and regional AIA components and the national YAF Advisory Committee.
The YARD keeps communication flowing between these groups by:
Maintaining quarterly communication with all YAF chapters within his or her designated region.
Serving as a conduit between local YAF chapters and the AdCom.
Collecting from and disseminating information to local, state, and regional components.
Submitting a regional report.
The YARD contributes to the direction and planning of the YAF by:
Participating in the YAF Annual Meeting.
Working with the AdCom on various national issues.
Working on at least one Area of Focus identified by the YAF annually.
The YARD is a connection at the regional level to other AIA groups by:
Communicating with COF Regional Representative and NAC Regional Associate Director quarterly about how to work together to support each other’s efforts.
Suggesting or encouraging young architects for nomination for regional or national awards, positions or committees/subcommittees.
Attending AIA National Convention, when possible.
Working within Region of The Virginias to ensure that expectations from regional leadership are clearly defined and met.
Attendance at regional meetings.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss the position with their Regional Representative to AIA Strategic Council or the current YARD to fully understand the responsibilities prior to submitting an application.
YAF Commitments
YARD are expected to engage with members as follows:
YAF/NAC Annual Meeting (Mandatory)
AIA Grassroots, New Orleans: February 2020
AIA Convention, Los Angeles: May 2020
ArchEx Regional AIA Conference, Richmond: November 2020
YAF Full Committee Monthly Conference Calls
YAF Area of Focus/Workgroup Monthly Conference Calls
Regional Reports – Quarterly
Regional Emerging Professional Committee Meetings and Programs
YAF Funding National AIA covers the costs for YARD travel, food, and lodging to attend the YAF Annual Meeting. In addition, YARDs have the opportunity to attend AIA Grassroots and the AIA Convention, but expenses for these events, along with any other costs associated with other travel or conferences, will not likely be reimbursed and are the responsibility of the YARD. A stipend is budgeted by AIA Virginia to support these efforts. It is anticipated that AIA West Virginia will have a stipend available as its respective budget allows.
Application Requirements
AIA Membership – Applicant must be an AIA member licensed for less than 10 years and in good standing within The Region of The Virginias (the State Components of AIA West Virginia and AIA Virginia, including AIA Blue Ridge, AIA Central Virginia, AIA Hampton Roads, AIA Northern Virginia, and AIA Richmond).
Letter of Interest – From Applicant. Indicate understanding of the position, qualifications/experience, and reasons for seeking. Limit one-page.
Letter of Nomination – From an AIA leader. Indicate connection between YARD position and the Nominee’s leadership qualities. Limit one-page.
Letter of Recommendation – From an AIA member. Indicate Nominee’s qualifications for the YARD position. Limit one-page.
Personal Resume – Indicate education, employment history, organizations, activities, honors, and awards. Limit two pages (not a firm resume).
Completed applications must be submitted by email as a single PDF to Brian J. Frickie, AIA, Strategic Council Representative, Region of The Virginias (bfrickie@kernsgroup.com) and Corey Clayborne, AIA, EVP AIA Virginia (cclayborne@aiava.org) NLT Monday, November 4, 2019.
Jeffrey Butts – photo – courtesy of Yuzhu Zheng Photography
The Board of Directors of the American Institute of Architects Region of The Virginias has selected Jeffrey G. Butts, Jr., Associate AIA, as Regional Associate Director for the 2019 – 2020 term on the AIA National Associates Committee.
Menu:
Scrambled Organic Brown Eggs
Hickory Smoked Bacon & Griddle Potatoes
Kashi and Kellogg’s Cereals
Seasonal Fruit Salad
House Baked Cinnamon Buns, Muffins, Croissants and Bagels with
Cream Cheese, Fruit Preserves and Butter
Freshly Brewed Coffee, Regular or Decaffeinated, Assorted Teas, Juice
The Board of Directors of the American Institute of Architects Region of The Virginias has selected Amanda N. Schlichting, Associate AIA, as Regional Associate Director for the 2017 – 2018 term on the National Associates Committee.
Amanda graduated from Virginia Tech in 2015 and lives in Danville, Virginia, where she has worked for Dewberry since 2014. She has been involved with both local and national organizations as a student, a community advocate, and as a Director on the Board of AIA Blue Ridge. Through the AIA, she has helped run community design events and become a part of the 2017 Class of Virginia’s Emerging Leaders in Architecture Program.
She discovered her passion for architecture during a middle school when she became determined to go to architecture school, get licensed, and give back to the community and the profession. She believes that, to be truly successful, it is crucial to develop relationships and push others to succeed with you. She wants to help other emerging architects see the value in becoming licensed and bring others along the path to professional success.
“Amanda has the right temperament as a leader and listener,” according to Larry W. Hasson, Jr., AIA, her immediate supervisor at Dewberry, adding that she “is a leader, not a follower, as she does not wait to be told to perform; she initiates.” President-elect J. W. Blanchard at AIA Blue Ridge said, “Amanda is a hardworking volunteer leader who understands the appropriateness of delegating and building consensus among volunteers… and understands when the time is right to roll up her sleeves.”
The National Associates Committee (NAC) serves Associate AIA members in the advancing their careers. The NAC wants to be a catalyst by becoming agents of change, by challenging the status quo, by representing a diverse membership, and by promoting mentorship, fellowship, licensure, advocacy, and service.
The Regional Associate Director (RAD) serves as a vital link between Associates and the national organization. RADs work with other association counterparts, are responsible for gathering information about issues facing Associates within their Regions, and help disseminate information about national/regional activities and resources for use at the local level.
Are you an Associate AIA Member? Are you interested in the issues confronting architecture school graduates on a path to licensure? Would you like to help the National Associates Committee address these issues? Then, you may be just the person we’re looking for.
Every two years, the AIA Region of The Virginias (Virginia and West Virginia) selects an Associate AIA member to represent the Region on the National Associates Committee. Applications are now being accepted for the National Associates Committee 2017 – 2018 Virginias Regional Associate Director. If you think you may be interested, please read on. If you know of an Associate AIA member who may be interested, please forward this information to them.
NAC Purpose
The National Associates Committee (NAC) is dedicated to serving Associate members of the AIA in the advancement of their careers.
NAC Vision
By promoting excellence, providing information and leadership, fostering inclusiveness, and encouraging individual, community, and professional development, the NAC will integrate the growing Associates community of the profession into a strong voice within the Institute. The NAC aspires to be the catalyst for progress within the Institute and the profession:
We ENGAGE by becoming agents of change
We INNOVATE by challenging the status quo
We CONNECT by representing our diverse membership
We LEAD by example, promoting mentorship, fellowship, licensure, advocacy, and service
The NAC believes its work serves to make AIA membership meaningful to Associates through services that effectively anticipate, meet, and exceed their needs.
NAC Overview The Regional Associate Director (RAD) works with their counterparts, the YARDs, AIAS Quad Directors, Architect Licensing Advisors, and AIA Regional Representatives. RADs are responsible for gathering information about issues facing Associates within their Regions and disseminating information about national/regional activities and resources for use at the local level. Of equal importance, RADs serve as a vital link between Associates and the national organization.
RADs are the key to vertical communication, connecting Associate leaders at all levels of the Institute. RADs are also encouraged to work on various issues important to them and their regions through the NAC work groups. More information about the NAC can be found here: https://network.aia.org/nationalassociatescommittee/home
This is a tremendous opportunity to take on a larger leadership role within the AIA. This rewarding experience will allow you to be actively engaged in shaping the future of the profession and to grow your network with the NAC, YAF, and the AIA both regionally and nationally.
NAC Annual Events and Commitments
YAF/NAC Annual Meeting, Washington, DC: March 5–7, 2017 (Mandatory)
AIA Grassroots, Washington, DC: March 8–10, 2017
AIA Convention, Orlando, FL: April 27–29, 2017
Architecture Exchange East, Richmond, VA: November 1–3, 2017
NAC Full Committee Quarterly Conference Calls – 1 hour each
Regional Reports – written with the assistance of the NAC
Attendance at Regional Emerging Professional Committee Meetings and Programs
NAC Funding National AIA covers the costs for Regional Associate Director travel, food, and lodging to attend the NAC/YAF Annual Meeting. In addition, RADs have the opportunity to attend AIA Grassroots and the AIA Convention, but expenses for these events, along with any other costs associated with other travel or conferences, are the responsibility of the RAD.
Required Application Material
AIA Membership – Applicant must be an Associate AIA member in good standing within The Region of The Virginias (AIA NV, AIA RI, AIA BR, AIA CV, AIA HR, or AIA West Virginia) and must not be licensed at the time of submission.
Letter of Nomination/Letter of Interest – Applicant may be nominated by others or be self-nominated. The author of the nomination letter should ideally be familiar with the NAC and understand the leadership qualities of the applicant. Limit one-page.
Letter of Recommendation – Each application must include one letter of recommendation from an AIA Leader. Limit one-page.
Personal Resume – Indicate education, employment history, organizations or activity involvement, honors, and awards. Limit two pages (It is NOT in the applicant’s best interest to simply submit a firm resume with project experience).
Deadline
Completed applications must be submitted by email as a single PDF to Brian J. Frickie, AIA, Region of The Virginias Representative to AIA Strategic Council (bfrickie@kernsgroup.com) NLT Monday, January 23, 2017.
