2018 promises to be a great year for you as a member of AIA Virginia! We came out of the gate in a full sprint, with a focus on continuously improving the value of your membership. Currently, we are working toward finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Emergency Management that will position architects as the go-to source for building assessments after a natural disaster under the protection of the state’s Good Samaritan Law. In the near future, we will be looking to form Disaster Assistance Teams in each local AIA Chapter that are willing to be trained and ready for deployment should Virginia develop that need. As we are vital contributors to the built environment, the community needs to be able to count on architects in those difficult times.
Since January, the Joint Legislative Committee has been working tirelessly during the General Assembly to protect the value of what architects do and the services they provide. With the assistance of our lobbyists, Williams Mullen, we quickly redirected the course of a proposed bill that would have put a gash in Qualifications Based Selection for architectural services. During my firm visits, it is consistently indicated that government advocacy is one of the largest benefits of membership.
In other areas, AIA Virginia is making the term collaboration more than a buzz word. It’s becoming part of our culture. As such, the AIA Virginia Board of Directors has decided to extend its outreach and collaboration efforts. Effective this year, the Board will meet at two of our four architectural schools to host a board meeting in order to continue strengthening the bond between academia and practice. On these visits, the Board will have the opportunity to tour the university’s architecture school, meet AIAS members, and engage in dialogue with architecture school faculty and leadership. In 2018, the Board will meet at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg) in April to coincide with Design Forum XIII and at the University of Virginia in October to engage with this year’s Emerging Leaders in Architecture class. In 2019, the Board will meet at Hampton University and Virginia Tech (WAAC).
It is also our goal to continue collaborating with other members of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry to enhance our approaches on shaping the built environment. I am proud to say that AIA Virginia, Associated General Contractors of Virginia (AGC VA), and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia (ACEC VA) have joined together to host a series of quarterly roundtables with the purpose of educating and promoting best practices of the industry to our members, owners/clients, developers and the general public. Our first of these roundtables will occur on February 20 in Richmond with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of General Services key leaders. Members want to know how the AIA can help them get work and develop business. This is the first step – putting you in a position to meet the decision-makers.
In conclusion, I leave you with one thought. Consider engaging with the AIA in some capacity this year at any level. Like all things in life, you will never get its true value by sitting on the sidelines.
Thank you for giving me the honor and privilege to serve as your Executive Vice President. As I continue to meet more and more of you, I am constantly inspired by your stories, paths, and your goals. Together, I firmly believe we can accomplish anything.
R. Corey Clayborne, AIA