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By Alan Hom, AIA
Board Director
Hello fellow AIA’ers (AIA members) with the Central Valley Chapter. It is my privilege to be of service as one of your new directors with AIACV.
As I have been a member since the mid-1980’s (and before that as an Associate member), I have been asked to share my thoughts regarding my “retrospective as a long-time member, reflections on AIACV today”.
Our membership appeared more intimate in the late-1980’s and early-1990’s as the primary way to be involved was in-person…. PLUS Executive Director Gini Roundtree always came looking for you. (It was hard to hide from Gini.)
Then came the 2000’s and we central valley architects had to become more creative, more aggressive, and compete beyond our traditional boundaries… We all got busy with many of us becoming less involved with the AIA, BUT still paid our ever-increasing dues.
As architects, we pride ourselves as problem solvers, advocates, and great communicators. During the last 30 years I began to wonder where is all the advocacy for the members? Where is all the communication (ie talking with the members verses “talking at” the members)? With all the fees we paid the AIA, “What has the National and State AIA done to support the individual member?”
Yes, we get National and State AIA newsletters and warning letters that we are missing continuing education units to keep our membership, but not much more. In fact, I cannot even recall the last email I received from National AIA. Never any personal reach out from National or State AIA unless about a contribution to ArchiPAC, or writing our representative about a national issue they feel is important.
Then came Ida Clair, AIA with AIACV. Ida called and was truly interested in my thoughts. I voiced my concerns over the fees we paid verses the perceived level of benefits the AIA provides their members. Ida stated my concerns are important then asked if I would consider running as a director on the Chapter’s Board. I thought to myself, someone from AIA reached out personally and truly listened… let alone it was the State Architect. WOW.
How could I say “NO”?
What I have learned in just the few past months on the local board is that our own local chapter is STILL so very inclusive and welcoming. (Don Comstock, FAIA and Chris Holt, AIA also exemplified this welcomeness as our past local chapter presidents.)
So, while I am still very un-sure about National AIA and State AIA, (and think much MORE of our AIA fees need to stay local) I encourage the ‘old timer’ AIA members to re-engage and our newer members to become involved. Our own local AIACV and Board Members work so diligently and creatively to find diverse venues, as so all may feel welcomed, included and heard.
And, a big shout out Kimberly Anderson and Jacy Boles….Gini Roundtree would be proud of you!