A YAR is a Young Architect Representative; an AIA member who has been licensed for less than 10 years and who serves as a liaison between the state chapter (in our case, AIA Virginia) and the Young Architects Forum (YAF) focusing on issues that concern Emerging Professionals (EPs; architects in the early stage of their career). For several years Carrie Parker, AIA has been serving, admirably, as our YAR.
Carrie has recently been appointed YAF Strategic Vision Director at the national level. Please join me in congratulating Carrie on that achievement. Having co-authored the recent strategic plan for that group, we look forward to Carrie applying her substantial leadership and project management skills to its execution. And while we celebrate and look forward to Carrie’s achievements, we also realize that this leaves us in need of a new YAR, for a two-year term, beginning 1 January 2024.
Roles and duties of the Young Architect Representative (YAR)
Young Architect Representatives represent young architects within AIA at the state and national level. They are the primary connection between local AIA chapters and the national YAF Advisory Committee (AdCom).
The Young Architect Representative communicates information from AIA National to local emerging professional groups and vice versa by:
- Maintaining quarterly communication with all YAF chapters within their state
- Serving as a conduit between local YAF chapters and the AdCom
The Young Architect Representative contributes to the direction and planning of the YAF by:
- Participating in the YAF Annual Meeting and attending YAF full committee conference calls
- Working with the AdCom on various national issues through participation in at least one YAF Focus Group
- Attending AIA Leadership Summit and AIA National Conference, when possible
The Young Architect Representative serves young architects at the state level by:
- Providing reports regarding the activities of the YAF and emerging professionals groups when requested
- Maintaining quarterly communication with the following counterparts from their state: National Associates Committee (NAC) state representatives, Strategic Council representatives, and College of Fellows (COF) regional representative
- Attending monthly AIA Leadership Exchange calls
- Suggesting or encouraging young architects for nomination for state or national awards, positions or committees/subcommittees.
Young Architect Representatives have the option to represent YAF within the larger AIA National community by serving as a member of or liaison to any of the following: Strategic Council work groups, Knowledge Communities, Board Committees, Member Interest Groups, or Task Forces. These opportunities may vary from year to year.
Additional responsibilities may be required by each respective state. Young Architect Representatives are required to work with their states to ensure that expectations from state leadership are clearly defined and met. The AdCom encourages all applicants to discuss the position with their state leadership (either the state AIA President and/or Executive Director) to fully understand the role and commitment that the Young Architect Representative will have to their respective state prior to submitting an application.
Activities of a YAR
Every month this position will require 4-5 hours of your time. The state representative should expect to participate in the following calls and meetings:
- Full committee Annual meeting (Q1, travel and lodging paid by AIA National)
- Bi-monthly Full Committee Calls (2 hours each call)
- Working group calls (frequency depends on the workgroup and their current load, but assume 1-2 hours a month)
- Special calls as needed (generally no longer than an hour)
- AIA Leadership Exchange calls (1 hour quarterly)
Term: Two-year commitment.
Application Requirements
AIA Membership – Applicant must be an AIA member in good standing within AIA Virginia (AIA Blue Ridge, AIA Central Virginia, AIA Hampton Roads, AIA Northern Virginia, and AIA Richmond) and must be licensed not more than 10 years at the time of submission.
Letter of Interest – From Applicant. Indicate understanding of the position, qualifications/experience, and reasons for seeking election. Limit one-page.
Letter of Nomination – From an AIA local or state component Board Member. Indicate the connection between the YAR position and the Nominee’s leadership qualities. Limit one-page.
Letter of Recommendation – From an AIA member. Indicate the Nominee’s qualifications for the YAR position. Limit one-page.
Letter of Support – From Employer. A Principal (or Officer) within the candidate’s firm must commit to supporting the candidate in fulfilling the role’s obligations. Limit one page on company letterhead.
Personal Resume – Indicate education, employment history, organizations, activities, honors, and awards. Limit two pages (It is NOT in the applicant’s best interest to simply submit a firm resume with project experience).
Timeline
- Completed applications must be submitted by email as a single PDF to Paul Battaglia, AIA, Executive Vice President of AIA Virginia no later than Wednesday, 4 October, 2023.
- The YAR is selected by the AIA Virginia Board of Directors.
- Notification/updates of new YARs are sent to the new YAR and the AIA YAF staff liaison by 27 October 2023.
- Positions begin in January 2024, with AIA National-paid travel to the 2024 YAF Annual Meeting (date TBD).