by Steve Jones, Principal | designTECH Interior Design Services, Inc.
Hello all! In 2020 I was asked by current President Paul Menard to serve as the Allied (non-architect) Member to the AIA Central Valley Board of Directors for 2021. As Paul is a longtime friend and collaborator, I accepted. The primary responsibilities of the Allied Board Member are fairly obvious – to engage Allied membership, understand membership needs, and represent those needs to the Board. Secondary responsibilities include serving on various committees and assisting with events, as required.
One reason Allied Members join the AIA is to advance the organization’s efforts, quoted here from the mission statement, “to serve as a resource for its members, allied professionals, and the general public through advocacy, community, education, and outreach.” In short, to promote the contributions of architects and architecture to our communities.
As you may have guessed, however, the primary objective of Allied membership is to meet, mingle, converse, and otherwise participate with Professional and Emerging Professional Members regarding shared goals while using Allied membership products and/or services. Our e-mail poll taken in the spring of 2021 reveals that 75% of Allied Member respondents:
- Wish to attend Chapter meetings and
- Wish to serve on Chapter committees
But 100% of Allied Member respondents wish to attend Chapter functions – to, yes, meet, mingle, converse, and otherwise participate with Professional and Emerging Professional Member in person. No surprise there.
Well, the first half of the year-according-to-Covid pretty much put an end to in-person Chapter Meetings, Committee Meetings, and Chapter functions. Looking forward beyond initial limitations imposed by social-distancing, the Chapter has been gearing up for in-person participation in Experience Architecture, whose multiple programs make it our largest event.
Ahhhh – so, how do we bring about fun Chapter functions to specifically to benefit Allied members in the (tail end?) of the pandemic?
We have a couple of Allied member events in the works:
AIACV Allied Member Bocce Night, Thursday November 4, 2021
East Portal Bocce Club, East Sacramento
4 members each team (2 Allied, 2 Professional) x 2 teams each court x 5 courts = 10 teams (40 players)
Bocce is easy for everyone to play; provides a great background for socializing, and the outdoor courts lend themselves to social distancing! Italian beers and wines, sodas, waters and a Pizza Truck! Molto bene!
Invitations will be sent out soon – watch for them!
Recently I was asked by current incoming President Ida Clair to continue to serve as the Allied Board Member for 2021 and I accepted. So, let’s continue with fun events in 2022!
AIACV Allied Member Non-Golf Tournament, Date TBD, Spring 2022
Campus Commons Golf Course, Sacramento
4 members each team (2 Allied, 2 Professional) x 2 teams each hole x 7 holes = 14 teams (56 players)
Previous conversations reveal many Professional Members and Emerging Professional Members are not in favor of typical Country Club Tournaments. So our plans call for a NON-Tournament – no golf experience, golf equipment, special golf clothing or special golf etiquette required.
Still utilizing a golf format, but less emphasis on scores, more emphasis on fun, surprise and wackiness. Again, a great background for socializing; outdoor course lends itself to social distancing! Beer, wine, sodas, waters and a Taco Truck!
Invitations will be sent out in 2022 – watch for them as well!
Please feel free to reach out to me with comments or questions—I’d love to hear what you think about these plans: [email protected]