by Christina Frankel, AIA, Treasurer
As Architects we were trained from our first sketch that design matters. In all things. Money does not show up in our journey to be an Architect until we get that first job. How we make money as Architects can be a mystery until we work our way into business development. But money matters too. In all things. Money as a tool can be instrumental to equity, resilience, and knowledge, therefore, money has power. To do good.
As Treasurer of the AIA Central Valley, I have dived into the fiscal health of the chapter. Starting with reviewing how the AIACV operates. I have been impressed with the decisions that past leaders in the AIACV have made to be fiscally responsible. Things like scaling back to a smaller office and savings surplus funds in an investment account. Saving for the future. Not only is the chapter solvent, but the budget also allows the chapter to do a whole lot of good.
The AIA was founded on supporting architects. Each level of the of the organization, national, state, and local do their part differently to support the profession. How our dues are used may not show up obviously in our day-to-day work life; but are unequivocally working hard behind the scenes. Although dues are a big part of the income of the chapter, it is not the whole picture. Our Sustaining Partners – those who choose to support the work of the chapter – help us broaden our reach and therefore make a bigger impact. In business, there is an idea of a multiplier, the costs to do business times the multiplier is what businesses use to make an impact. Businesses use this impact to help their clients, staff and community. Our Sustaining Partners are that multiplier; they help us leverage what the chapter does and extend our message, learning and reach. The power of money to do good!
On behalf of the AIACV, thank you to our Sustaining Partners:
Premier Level: SMUD
Gold Level: Swinerton
Silver Level: ARC, Architectural Nexus, Buehler Engineering, DPR Construction, JK Architecture Engineering, Lionakis, LP Consulting Engineers, Miyamoto International, Partition Specialties Inc., Roebbelen, Taylor Design, ZFA Structural Engineers
Bronze Level: Assured Partners (AP) Design Professionals, Brailsford & Dunlavey, California Energy Design Assistance Program, Corporate Design Group, Cunningham Engineering, designTECH Interior Design Services, Geocon, Inc.,The HLA Group Landscape Architects and Planners, Inc., Street Consulting, Sundt Construction, Williams + Paddon | 19Six Architects
Iron Level: The Boldt Company, E3 California, The Engineering Enterprise, MTW Group, Response Structural Engineers, and Quadriga Landscape Architecture and Planning