On June 19, 2015, members of the Virginia Society AIA will have a unique opportunity. For the first time ever, a meeting of the full membership will be held virtually. We hope you’ve received your postcard announcing this meeting and that you are planning to participate.
Your leadership believed strongly that there is much to share as we enter our second century of service to the profession and the public. We shall update you on progress within key initiatives, programs, and projects, as well as seek your input on important facets of the future.
One feature of our session will be the consideration of a new name for our professional society within our state. As you know, the AIA is an organization made up of many local and state components in addition to the Institute. To help reinforce the overall brand, the AIA has developed naming and visual guidelines, along with rules for combining component names with the AIA symbol, monogram, and other elements. Our own organization’s moniker ― the Virginia Society AIA ― does not adhere to these naming conventions (nor has it for many years). As the AIA continues to implement various elements of the Repositioning initiative, and because the VSAIA Board of Directors has expressed a desire to deliver a more consistent level of service and support to all members across the Commonwealth, it makes sense that the Virginia Society AIA adopt the brand guidelines recommended by the national component.
On Friday, Feb. 20, the VSAIA Board of Directors voted unanimously to transition the name and they now sponsor before the full membership a Bylaws amendment to make this change. As this is adopted, our component name will be expressed as AIA Virginia. Their rationale for embracing the AIA’s guidelines are:
- The AIA’s Repositioning Initiative has been deemed critical to the future success of the AIA; our transition to AIA Virginia signals a strong show of support for this work.
- VSAIA’s Strategic Plan calls for us to develop a holistic strategy to strengthen ties with individuals, components, and related organizations.
- This naming convention aligns with all of the local AIA components in Virginia (AIA Blue Ridge, AIA Central Virginia, AIA Hampton Roads, AIA Northern Virginia, and AIA Richmond).
- To achieve visual coherence, it is important for us to consistently reflect the AIA brand.
- Adhering to the guidelines establishes a strong visual continuity and more clearly expresses the organizational relationships of the AIA’s components.
Along with this critical conversation and decision, you will learn more about efforts in government advocacy, communications and outreach, and professional excellence, and advancements within the areas of alliances, operations, and membership. Please plan to join President Valerie Hassett, FAIA, and the rest of the VSAIA Board of Directors for this momentous gathering of the membership of the AIA in Virginia. Register online.