With each initiative, the committee, assisted by the Strategic Council and Institute staff, worked to develop the issues that will define the Institute and profession as we re-focus our efforts in meeting the organization's mission. While these initiatives may seem broad, they address the core concerns of today's AIA.

The Strategic Committee worked with members from throughout the country in developing this plan.  We also involved members of our Knowledge Communities, Culture Collection, CACE, NAC, YAF and the Design and Construction Industry at Large.  It is our hope that this pan not only directs our vision, but also becomes part of our yearly planning efforts.

Throughout the planning process, it became clear to the committee that the strategic initiatives were the key actionable issues of our plan, but they were not the only concerns.  Organization effectiveness, as defined by efforts to continuously improve everything we do, is also core to our success.  These programs include digital transformation, component excellence, a culture of advocacy and a value based culture.  These are all necessary pieces of a successful strategic planning effort.

Over the past few months, this plan was endorsed by the council and unanimously approved by the Board.  We have also presented several national webinars on the plan and we are developing a program that will be presented at this year's Grassroots.  As each of component begin to plan for 2016, we ask that you take the time to review the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan, "Advancing Member Experience & Value" and incorporate the Institute's Goals, Objectives and Initiatives into your components 2016 plan.

While this article is intended to be primarily about how the PAC works in the political process, I wanted to first focus on AIA Ohio and congratulate AIA Dayton for their outstanding work focusing on advocacy and very specifically, for supporting the AIA Ohio PAC.   Through the efforts of AIA Dayton leadership, the component was able to exceed their goals for both participation and funds raised.  This is really a great accomplishment.  I congratulate the membership of AIA Dayton and extend my sincere thank you to Karen Planet, AIA and David Bills, AIA for their dedication in making AIA Dayton's PAC effort a huge success.

So why do we need a Political Action Committee?  When we contribute, what do candidates possibly do with all the money that is raised?  They can't possible use everything they receive for yard signs and advertisements, can they?  I am sure you would not be surprised if I answered this by saying that in politics, nothing is that simple. 

Political Action Committees, or PACs, are generally created to support either a specific issue or the broad, general issues of a group or association. In the case of AIA, we obviously concentrate on multiple issues, all of which focus on the practice of architecture within  the much larger construction industry that is part of the day to day practice of member architects .   As has been noted many times before, if you're not at the table, you're probably on the menu. 

The efforts of PACs are generally focused around supporting legislators who in some way, through either past actions or current positions, support the same issues as the association.  Simply put, association PACs support those members of legislative bodies that think and believe the way they do.  It makes sense.  But the larger question remains as to why these candidates, whether the elections are every two years, four years, or six years, continue to need contributions?  Remember, nothing in politics is simple. While support for elections is important, so too is the support for the political process.  In general, state and national legislators not only have to work to support their constituents, but they also have to provide support for their political party.  While that might mean little to us, it is a key element of the process.  If a legislator cannot provide the financial support needed, a key bill or issue they are promoting may never get out of committee.  If a representative cannot provide support requested by their leadership, their committee assignments might be less than meaningful.   The support provided by a PAC helps ensure that legislators can be effective members of the governance process.  Without our support, those who support our views and positions have less tools available to help move our issues forward.  That is why we need to support our PACs.  By working with legislators, we are able to provide support that can make a difference when key issues arise.  PACs are not programs of themselves, but rather tools to be used as part of a larger, comprehensive advocacy program.  It's for that reason, year in and year out, we need to promote the PAC.  Without your contributions, we might not have the chance to be part of the discussion, but rather a topic of it. 

Thank you for your support of the AIA Ohio PAC and ArchiPAC.  

We hope to continue this studio as the exam transitions and more candidates surface within the component.  This could not have been possible without the assistance of AIA Ohio and their funding award.  We hope you can join us for a seminar or invite us to join your component for a joint meeting.  We would love to ENGAGE more with other components.