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AIA Michigan E-News
Vol 10, Issue 2 |
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| Health Facilities Conference |
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Register Online!
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| Presidents Message |
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Alan H. Cobb, FAIA
AIA Michigan President
We had an outstanding AIA Michigan Leadership Retreat in Traverse City in January with over sixty in attendance from all around the State. Reports were given by Task Groups assigned to our Strategic Plan Goals. We are making progress, and my hat is off to all of the volunteers involved. As a member, if you are interested in playing a role in AIA Michigan's future, contact staff at the Beaubien House or myself. The Membership Task Force, Government Affairs, Communications, COTE, and Emerging Professionals / Associates Task Forces can use your help.
Excellent communication, as promised, we will provide a venue for each local Chapter from the Upper Peninsula to K 'zoo to "sound-off" and tell membership about local events around this great state. This is the list for the AIA MI Newsletter, with each chapter featured;
February - Detroit - Ray Cekaukus, AIA AIAD
March - Mid-Michigan
April - Upper Great Lakes
May - Flint
June - Southwest
July - Saginaw
August - Northern
September - Grand Valley
October - Huron Valley
November - Upper Peninsula
Let's hear from the Detroit Chapter. Thank you, Ray.
Alan H. Cobb, FAIA
2010 President
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| AIA Detroit Chapter |
 AIA Detroit Feature Article
Raymond Cekauskus, AIA Detroit President
Believe it or not, the days are getting longer, and our winter nights shorter - despite scant visible evidence to support this. For me, this means spring is just around the corner and we can compete again with San Diego for the best climate in the country. It's good to think this optimistically even if it's a bit of a stretch goal combined with a little bit of denial. We all know that stretch goals can be effective devices that leaders often use to set the bar higher than what is thought possible to challenge teams, sports or otherwise, into Super Bowl contention.
In January, I went to my first AIAM Leadership retreat in Traverse City. It was an interesting experience complete with thorough reporting, lively debate, and even some glassy eyed stares searching for distant horizons. Proclamations were made and fists were pounded onto tables - not atypical for creative, passionate individuals who are struggling more than ever for business survival and a renewed creative mission in life.
The very capable Alan Cobb began the retreat in a creative manner, rolling out some new and refreshing ideas. Backstage, powerful comments were rendered about things like the east versus the west, what value does the AIA really provide, and can we recover our past leadership role in the building of America.
We spent considerable time listening to detailed reports. A few wondered whether enough time was spent on the interactive session, which explored in greater depth, important questions like leadership transition and the future of our current organizational model.
A high point for me came when Randy Case presented a cool video that the Michigan Architectural Foundation has recently produced to educate kids and build public appreciation of how architecture increases the quality of life. It was an outstanding example of how the AIA should communicate with the world around us. The video was fresh, upbeat and non-elitist. Kudos to the MAF for their fine effort, which is now posted on the Detroit Public Television website. Take a look!
Our conversations were all in good spirits and we did learn a lot about each other - but then again, still probably not enough. I believe all of us, as Michigan architects and AIA members, need to increase our collective interaction with other. We should consider sharing this leadership retreat with other Michigan cities. We are more alike than different. Our goals are more shared than disparate. We should be linked together as one family, with the special skills and talents, or gifts as I call them, which make us architects.
It's important to note that this leadership summit is open to all members of the AIA. It always has been. Whether you are young or old, board member or not, all are welcome to participate and help mold the future of this organization. There are voices out there that need to be heard...and responded too.
Wouldn't it be great if next year's retreat had two or three times as many participants?
Now that's....a stretch.....
Best wishes to all of you for a great year.
Sincerely,
Raymond Cekauskas AIA, 2010 Detroit Chapter President |
| Firm News/Grapevine |
| The Associated General Contractors of Michigan has bestowed its highest honor, a Build Michigan Award, on the North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Members of the project team-the Wayne County Airport Authority, construction managers Walbridge and Barton Malow, and architects Gensler and Ghafari-were recognized at the conferral ceremony, January 29, at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Detroit...Quinn Evans are celebrating 25 years in business...Please submit your firm or member news to aiami@aiami.com to be included here. |
| Opportunities |
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Historic American Building Survey
Peterson Prize Sponsored by: The National Park Service, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia & The American Institute of Architects. For further information contact: Charles E. Peterson Prize Coordinator, Heritage Documentation Programs, National Park Service (2270), 1201 Eye Street NW, 7th Floor, Washington DC 20005. Phone (202) 354-2166
Deadline June 30, 2010 |
| Architectural University Lecture Series |
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| 2010 Upcoming Events and Calendar - Check Website for updates. |
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Follow the link for all of the calendar items. | |
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