A Culture of Collaboration

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On December 11, 2015, AIA Virginia and the 5 AIA Chapters in Virginia signed a memorandum of understanding which culminates a year’s worth of work on aligning our membership goals and strategies.

AIA Virginia, AIA Northern Virginia, AIA Hampton Roads, AIA Richmond and AIA Central Virginia gather to sign the memorandum of understanding resulting from the membership alignment process
AIA Virginia, AIA Northern Virginia, AIA Hampton Roads, AIA Richmond, AIA Blue Ridge and AIA Central Virginia gather to sign the memorandum of understanding resulting from the membership alignment process.

Virginia components took a careful assessment of the way we work together in service and support of our members. We were awarded a membership alignment grant and met regularly this year to discuss opportunities for ongoing collaboration and cooperation. This process allowed us to understand each other, re-establish trust, eliminate redundancy, and strengthen our components. To continue this dialogue, Virginia components agree to continue to communicate electronically on a monthly basis and to meet on a quarterly basis to discuss opportunities for further cooperation and collaboration in service and support of our members.

Such opportunities for collaboration may include, but are not limited to:

  • Coordinated submission for awards programs;
  • Statewide communication for Architecture week;
  • Supportive engagement in The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design; and outreach programs in area schools.

The areas in which the components discussed and agreed upon shared responsibilities include:

  • Governance
    • Opportunities to share Component Update and Component Relations tools such as board manuals and volunteer protocols.
  • Membership
    • Although our current retention efforts and membership numbers are great, we would like to strengthen our efforts on member recruitment and retention. These efforts will allow us to increase membership value by keeping members informed, recognizing their achievements across the state, and eliminating redundancy.
  • Continuing Education and Events
    • Continuing education is an essential benefit of our members. After the membership alignment discussions, we decided to refocus our continuing education efforts, eliminate redundancy, and capitalize on the strengths of our respective chapters. The strength of the local chapter/s is providing personal connection through chapter focused social events, and one-day continuing education programs like lunch and learns. The strength of the state chapter is providing multi-day continuing education opportunities like ArchEx, the Virginia Design Forum, and the upcoming Practice Summit.

If you have any questions about the ongoing membership alignment process, please contact Shanelle Calvin, Membership Manager, scalvin@aiava.org or your chapter leadership.

 

Membership Year in Review

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In 2015, we experienced a significant transformation in AIA Virginia. This year was focused on making key enhancements to the culture of the organization, collaboration among the national, state and local components, and a creative approach to the way we deliver service and support to our members. We appreciate all of our members for their participation and patience during this year. A quick look back at Membership Year in Review, highlighting the work of your state association, which ended the year at 2,397 members strong:

AIA Repositioning Progress
Virginia is at the forefront of the membership alignment process by assessing the way the state and local components work together in service and support of our members. We were awarded a membership alignment grant, and met regularly this year to discuss opportunities for ongoing collaboration and cooperation. Review our progress>>

Emerging Professionals
We focused on the areas where we could add support for emerging leaders from across the state by offering additional networking opportunities, a new emerging professional’s award, as well as implementing graduated dues for newly licensed architects. More on Emerging Professionals>>

Member Recognition
AIA Virginia recognized new members and newly licensed architects in the monthly newsletter. AIA Virginia member’s awards, promotions, and other achievements were celebrated in a bimonthly good news email blast. Member News>>

Honors and Awards
The 2015 awards recognized individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievements in support of the profession of architecture in Virginia and for their design work in the state of Virginia. More on the winners>>

Legislative Advocacy
Defense of Qualifications Based Selection in the Virginia Public Procurement Act was once again a major focus of energy. Other advocacy efforts this year included discussions on historic tax credits, and keeping members informed about changes to the definition of “small business” in Virginia. More on Government Advocacy>>

Firm Culture
A large firm roundtable was initiated to discuss issues of professional excellence related to firm culture, emerging professionals and workforce development. Strengths and threats to the profession were also discussed. More on Firm Culture>>

ArchEx Transformation
AIA Virginia staff met with live event company 360 Live Media in D.C. to discuss ways to reinvigorate Architecture Exchange East and make the event a more aspirational and inspirational event. Changes this year included a variety of session times, additional networking opportunities, dinners, and two keynote presentations. More on ArchEx>>

Member Service Alignment Underway

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The AIA is positioning for future growth and relevance through stronger alignment, collaboration, and partnerships among components. To aid in this effort, the AIA Member Service Alignment Pilot Program was created to fund programs to promote component alignment.
membershipalignmentmtg

AIA Virginia, in cooperation with your local components in Virginia, applied for and received a membership alignment grant in February to support a facilitated statewide discussion with state and local component leaders.

Your leaders gathered at Institute headquarters in D.C. on June 8–9, 2015 for a facilitated discussion focused on analyzing member services across the state and identifying opportunities to add value to your membership. During the conversation, current efforts to elevate public awareness, advocate for the profession, communicate with members, provide educational opportunities, maintain membership levels, operations, finances, and governance were discussed.

A monthly meeting of the Virginia chapters will be held to continue the discussion and prepare a collaborative member alignment plan by the end of the year.

What an exciting time to be a part of the AIA, where your leaders are embracing change at every level of the organization, and working cooperatively in service and support of our members!

To discuss membership realignment, contact: Shanelle Calvin, Membership Manager, (804) 237-1772 or scalvin@aiava.org