Congratulations to AIA Michigan Members Ben Tiseo, Rick Hall, and Mike Corby for being named Fellows of the American Institute of Architects!
Ben was also given a national award at the recent AIA Grassroots convention in Washington D.C., called Government Affairs Outstanding Individual Contribution, for his work in strengthening relationships among Michigan architects and community leaders, and in November of 2009, Ben was awarded the Detroit Chapter's Gold Medal. Mr. Tiseo is having another great year!
AIA Michigan Regional Director
It gives me great pleasure to announce the results from the "Convocation of Presidents". We have two nominations for the Regional Director seat on the AIA National Board and representative to AIA Michigan Board. The Huron Valley Chapter has nominated Paul Dannels, current AIA Michigan Board Member; and the Detroit Chapter has nominated Glen LeRoy, current educational advisor to the AIA Michigan Board. Please look for your opportunity to speak with the candidates, as meetings are being organized for each chapter. We will be holding an election with ballots being distributed in June 2010.
A number of AIA Michigan Associates went to Lansing to take part in Governor Granholm signing the ARE timing Bill. A special thank you for all the hard work goes to the Government Affairs Committee, with members pictured, Shelli Authier, Derek Roberts, Tracy Petrella, Sam Moschelli, Tim Flintoff, with our lobbyist Melissa Yutzey.
Amanda Gorning, Associate AIA
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Amanda Gorning of the Detroit chapter was elected to serve an AIA National role as the 2010 Assistant Editor of the Associate News - one of the publications of the National Associates Committee [NAC].
The AIA Michigan Executive Director Search Committee will be moving forward in the coming months. The Committee will be led by Ron Campbell, AIA and Gene Hopkins, FAIA. Members of the Committee will represent diversity in membership and the Chapter Regions of Michigan. We are making progress, and my hat is off to all of the volunteers involved.
Excellent communication, as promised, this month from the
Mid-Michigan Chapter President, Dan Bollman, AIA;
Dan Bollman, AIA
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AIA National Grassroots Conference
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While the 2010 Grassroots theme was "Design as Inspiration, Engagement and Collaboration," the creative atmosphere was slightly overshadowed by the tenuous state of the economy (not to mention the approach of excessive snow). During formal presentations and informal discussions in between, we often commiserated architects' loss of control and diminishing authority. However, a few teachable moments stood out as to how we might incrementally, positively affect our standing and influence.
The efforts of ArchiPAC were a constant presence. Each attendee was challenged to contribute support - however small - to the effort. One presenter profoundly suggested the donation of a single billable hour. In the abstract, that amount seems trivial; yet, when I considered the actual sum represented by that one hour, it was a significant multiple of what I had intended to contribute. Just as we maintain marketing budgets through difficult straits, so should we offer reasonable support for our professional political advocates.
Likewise, each of us can assume the role of individual advocate and influence change by contacting our representatives, as at Grassroots, where members of AIA Michigan presented the
Blueprint for Economic Recovery to Senators Levin and Stabenow. The undertaking can be daunting and requires a definite commitment, both to educate oneself about the issues and to actually attend the meeting. Our representatives need our input. While they might not ultimately support our ideas, without our participation, they have no means to consider our cause.
Closing on a seemingly trivial note, even allowing for the relaxed atmosphere at Grassroots, it seemed we could all benefit by considering for our collective, outward appearance. We can hardly complain about our diminished professional authority, when the popular image of a
modern architect is that of a bitter ascetic, shirt un-tucked, perpetually scowling through funky glasses. Admittedly, while good tailoring does not reflect one's professional capacity, it speaks volumes about our bearing and the way we attend to our clients.
The Mid-Michigan Chapter looks forward to seeing you at the
2010 Legislative Day on March 17. And wear your nattiest threads.
Daniel E. Bollman, AIA
Thank you, Dan.
Alan H. Cobb, FAIA
2010 President
