AIA Michigan September 2009 Newsletter

Ron Campbell, AIA

Dear AIA MI Member,

As we quickly head into fall, the last few weeks of summer gives us pause and chance to review the year so far. 2009 will prove to be a memorable year for many, if not most, of our members. Proclaimed as the year that we would be 'Charting the Course of Change'; no one imagined just how much change there would be. The economy has forced all of us to reconsider what we are doing and how we are doing it. We are all aware of life changing situations that we and/or colleagues we know are going through.

While there are some signs that the economy is on a track to recovery, we also expect it to be a long and challenging process. As AIA/MI prepares the budget for 2010/11, we are keenly aware of what we could be facing. The adjustments made earlier this year appear to have worked, and as we planned for the worst, we seem to be tracking for the better scenario.

For the coming budget year, we will be looking at innovative ways to lower the cost of membership and to make AIA affordable and obtainable for all of our members. WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANY MEMBER BECAUSE OF THE COST OF DUES. Extended payment plans, payment plans and alternate methods will be available. At a recently held special Board Meeting, it was decided that AIA/Michigan dues for 2010 would be reduced by $55 (18%) and by $7 (12%) for Associates effective January 1st. We know every little bit helps during these economic difficult times and are hopeful that this demonstrates our desire to keep you as a member. But now the hard work begins, our goal is not just to reduce dues but to maintain and improve member value in AIA. During the next few weeks we will be looking at AIA/Michigan's budget and additional incentive programs to do just that. We have to be as creative and innovative in our organization as we are in our businesses and homes. But to do it, we need you!

The strength of AIA has been, and always will be, our members. Now is the time that we need you and we need one another. Without you, we never could have accomplished what we have nor what we hope to accomplish for the profession. Because of your support we have been able to represent Michigan architects in Lansing on a variety of legislative issues that affect each of us daily in our practice. We have become a resource to our state legislators on sustainable design. We have been able to offer Group Health Insurance that is affordable for the small (two person) and medium size firms. We have been able to promote architecture and AIA architects in newspapers, on radio and TV throughout the state. We have been able to have input on future building codes and represent the architect on various Review Boards. We have been able to hold conferences dealing with a variety of topics and areas of practice. We have been able to connect you with potential clients and to help in educating your clients to make your job easier. We have been able to provide you with legal documents and best practice methods. We have been able to represent and join you with other professionals and affiliates throughout the building industry. We have been able to recognize your work and to promote it for you. We have been able to represent you at the national level on all of the above and we have been able provide you with the fellowship of your colleagues.

We are 'Charting the Course of Change'. In June the Board officially adopted a Strategic Plan that is an aggressive, but an achievable agenda that will better serve you as an AIA member. So please know that we are there for you and will to the best of our abilities represent you and the profession of architecture now and in the future.