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AIA Michigan Newsletter
October 2013 

In This Issue
President's Message and Executive Director's Message
Special Message from Repositioning Ambassador Jeff Ferweda, AIA
Chapter Focus: AIA Northern Michigan
Chapter Focus: AIA Northern Michigan Board Member
2014 Emerging Professionals Summitt, Submit Your Entry to Attend for Free!
AIA National Small Firm Round Table: One Seat Available for an AIA MI Member!
The Grapevine
New Members!
AIA Michigan Mourns the Passing of Three Members
Upcoming Events
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President's Message:
Tamara Burns reduced retouched90 IS THE NEW 60, OR, RELEVANCE AT ANY AGE  
 
Dearest members,
 

My mom has served on the Huron River Watershed Council for over 40 years. She founded Ann Arbor's Huron River Day - a day to learn about and celebrate the Huron River and it's importance in our community.   After all that, she realized this summer that she had never been in a canoe on the river! With the help of a few friends, she remedied this last month and found the perspective from the water enlightening as well as enjoying the experience immensely! She's 90 years old.

 

I have been thinking about relevance and age and how much more attitude has to do with relevance than whether or not you're a emerging professional or an emeritus member or somewhere in between. We all have different perspectives and values but it's our openness to others' thoughts and the willingness to try new things and continue to grow and learn that makes for relevance.

 

Last Thursday, I went to a fundraiser for State Senator Rebekah Warren. She told us a story about leading an orientation for new legislators and how someone asked her how she managed to work with her colleagues and get so much done as opposed to becoming mired in an uncompromising culture. After all, she has been named over and over as our most liberal legislator and generally when people are on the extreme fringes they have a harder time finding common ground with others. Her answer was inspiring. Her philosophy is to find that 10% (sometimes 1%!) in a person that overlaps with her values and goals where they can work together. She feels her job is to go in each day and move Michigan forward in some way. Her attitude benefits all of us by promoting collaboration as opposed to adhering blindly to rigid ideals.

 

This very day, James MacGregor Burns has a book coming out called Fire and Light: How the Enlightenment Transformed our World. He asks, "What should a nation be? What should citizens expect from their government? Who should lead and how can leadership be made both effective and accountable?" (All easily translated and relevant to the AIA...)  He's my uncle and he is 95 years old.

 

While I'm lucky to have good genes, I'm luckier to have my mother and uncle as role models of how if you are open to change and new experiences you can be relevant at any age...you just need the right attitude.

 

Cheers!

Tamara Burns signature  

Tamara E. L.Burns, AIA
Executive Director's Message:
Cathy HeadshotHappy October!
  
This month I want to make you all aware of the two exciting and quite monumental happenings at AIA National. The first was a landmark decision made as part of the Repositioning Initiative at AIA National. There are two major parts to this decision: "First, a smaller Board of Directors comprised of 11 to 15 members will have well-defined strategic, fiduciary responsibility to the Institute. These Board members will be elected Officers and appointed At-Large Directors. Second, a larger Council will be responsible to develop a vision for the compelling issues of the day that impact the profession. The composition of the Council will ensure diversity in geography, demographics, knowledge, and subject-matter expertise." To read the full statement, click here, and to learn about how this decision will affect our Michigan members, click here.
  
The second pivitol announcement was made about the IDP process. A letter from AIA National President, Mickey Jacob, FAIA stated that the Intern Development Program Advisory Committee (IDPAC), the cross-collateral committee co-chaired by the AIA and NCARB has made a big change to IDP. Effective December 16, the minimum duration requirement for work performed that qualifies for IDP experience credit will be eliminated. Interns will now be able to earn IDP experience credit for valid work regardless of the time spent on a project. This includes credit for valid experience acquired over winter and spring breaks while in school. He assures us that this change will not compromise the high standards of the IDP and that it will continue to ensure that graduates are prepared for licensure. To read the full letter, click here.  
  

I will be participating in the CACE Repositioning Work Group on Thursday and Friday of this week (Oct. 31st and Nov. 1st) at the AIA National headquarters in Washington, D.C. and look forward to reporting back to you next month.

 

I hope you are all having a productive month and I will see you in November! 
Special Message from Repositioning Ambassador, Jeff Ferweda, AIA:

Ferweda Jeff 2013 headshotDear Members, 

 

I wanted to reach out to you and explain why there has been a lack of information from AIA National about the Repositioning Initiative. I want to acknowledge your frustration and confusion at not having clear direction, and I sincerely apologize. The Repositioning is a work in progress, and we are all, volunteers and staff, learning as we go.  I realize that the pace of change is much slower than the desire for it, but I ask for your patience as we find our way. 

 

We are leaning on our consultants, Kotter International, for assistance, and will be developing, evaluating, and adjusting our approach along the way.  There's no one clear path forward.

 

Let me share with you where we are in this process:

 

 1.        As you may know, at the recent Board of Directors meeting, the Board voted to radically change its structure and size to position the AIA to more effectively address important issues affecting members and the profession.  This was one of the 10 areas outlined by our consultants as needing reassessment, and the Board members understood that this item, AIA governance, was necessary as a first step in signaling that the organization is serious in its intent.  The decision will be formally voted on at the December Board meeting and, if approved, will then be put before the members in Chicago during the Annual Convention.

 

I encourage you to visit the Repositioning pages on www.aia.org to learn more, or contact me directly to discuss. 

 

2.       We have an alignment statement that provides us with a clear future direction.  Our colleagues from Kotter International helped us to combine all of the feedback and key takeaways from the Repositioning research to create a simple compelling distillation of our commitment and direction toward a renewed AIA. For those of you who haven't seen it, that statement is:

 

"Advancing Through Architecture:

Together, we agree that the time is now to change the way we think and behave in order to shape our future. To become a more valued, relevant organization, the AIA will focus our priorities to:

(1) Elevate public awareness

(2) Advocate for the profession

(3) Create and expand the sharing of knowledge and expertise to ensure a prosperous future for our members

Never before have we needed this level of bold, visionary leadership to inspire architects to work together and build a better world for all people-through architecture."

 

This statement captures how we can best move forward to advance our profession. It's what the Repositioning means. Changing how we think and behave-but, doing so with a clear understanding of our priorities.

 

Our colleagues at National are work diligently to move the Repositioning ahead.  I encourage you to start Repositioning locally and to not wait for National to roll out any specific changes. This is a time where we must take bold steps to move the profession forward.  I feel outside entities have chipped away at the fabric of what it is to be an architect.  We must take back our profession and define ourselves instead of letting others do it for us.

 

We need to look at the fabric that is AIA, what was the foundation of the AIA, and use the roots to define what we are.  Vet it with the exuberance of youth and be the catalyst that moves us ahead as leaders instead of following the direction of the wind.

 
I will follow soon with what the "Next Steps" will be.


Jeffrey S. Ferweda, AIA

2013 AIA Michigan Treasurer

2013 Repositioning Ambassador 

Chapter Focus: AIA Upper Great Lakes

The AIA Upper Great Lakes chapter meets on the third Thursday of each month for lunch and to discuss Chapter activities. The meetings include a Continuing Education event, or if no CEU event is scheduled, the group may have a general meeting to discuss the state of the profession and other membership issues. There are two months where the regular meeting is replaced entirely by a social event - July's gathering usually includes a sailing excursion, and the Annual Holiday Party is in December.

 

Recent Continuing Education topics have included: "Air Leakage Control in Commercial Building Enclosures" by Monsma Marketing and DuPont Building Innovations; "Rolling Door Systems" by Overhead Door Corporation; "Sustainability EIFS Program" by Sto-Ex, Inc.; "Sustainable Development and Hot Dip Galvanizing" by V & S Detroit Galvanizing, LLC; "Ludowici Clay Tile Roofing" by Architectural Systems, LLC; "Metal Wall Panel Systems" by Dri-Design; "Resinous Floors and Wall Systems in Commercial Applications" by Dur-A-Flex. 

 

Upcoming Continuing Education topics have been scheduled for the remainder of 2013 and 2014 which include: "Challenges and Solutions for Today's Ceramic Tile and Stone Installations" by Schluter Systems, L.P.; "High Performance Buildings" by Dow Corning Corporation; "Roofing" The System - what makes up the "Total" roof assembly by Architectural Systems, LLC; "The Sustainable Attributes of Poly-Ash Trim" by Boral TruExterior� Trim/Monsma Marketing; "Versatex Trimboard - Making Trim Smarter" by Versatex�.

 

The Upper Great Lakes Chapter is a small organization with its membership split between Gaylord and Petoskey/Harbor Springs. The chapter's attendance rate at monthly meetings hovers around 50%-75%, which permits the chapter to stay in better contact with members, who include architects and intern architects, as well as interior designers and engineers as affiliate members.

Meet your AIA Michigan Board Member from the Upper Great Lakes Chapter:

Randy Seiss 

Randy Seiss, Associate AIA, is a 2006 graduate from the University of Michigan with an MArch.  Currently practicing in northern Michigan, he focuses on residential design, renovations, and additions.  A recent project was featured in Lake Superior Magazine. In addition to his AIA Michigan duties, Randy is Vice President of the Board for Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Michigan, is on the Construction Committee, and prepares construction documents for the two houses the affiliate builds annually.  Randy is an avid swimmer, bicyclist, skier, and diver, which makes Michigan a desirable place for him to live. 

2014 Emerging Professionals Summit: Submit Your Entry to Attend for Free!

In January 2014, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the American Institute of Architects will bring together thought leaders from across the profession to address how practice culture can be shaped to prepare current and future architects for their role in society. Participants will include students, emerging professionals, business leaders, firm owners, academics, entrepreneurs, and collateral representatives. The Summit will expand upon the AIA Emerging Professionals strategic initiative to develop action plans for the Institute and additional stakeholders to respond to the shifting education, professional development, career path, and societal role of architects.

 

To diversify the knowledge base and inspire the outcomes that will lead the architecture profession for the next decade, the AIA is seeking participation from varied emerging professional stakeholders in architecture. Essay submissions are now being accepted from individuals interested in participating in the Summit. Want to learn more? Click here for essay requirements and submission details. Essays are due at 5pm on November 4th!

AIA National Small Firm Round Table: One Seat Available for an AIA MI Member!  
The Small Firm Round Table focuses on the needs of small firms and is charged with reviewing the existing benefits and services offered by the AIA. Our mission is to further the special and unique interests of architects practicing in small firms and architects as sole practitioners by working with and through the American Institute of Architects. Secondly, it is to act as a central body to promote the creation, and to facilitate and coordinate the efforts of additional Small Firm Round Tables at the component level.  
  
Currently, there is one seat vacant on this vital committee and it is available to any qualified AIA Michigan member. If you would like more information about the position, please contact the office or Jeff Ferweda, AIA. To learn more about the Small Firm Round Table, click here.
The Grapevine
  • AIA Michigan was pleased to announce Dennis King, FAIA as the first Public Policy Director for the organization earlier this month in the Monday's Minutes and with a press release. We welcome Dennis to the team and look forward to working with him! To read the official press release, click here.
  • DMKing Consulting, LLC. has moved to 33677 Heirloom Circle, Farmington Hills, MI 48331. The email address remains: dennis@DMKINGconsulting.com.
  • Caleb Marquard, Associate AIA, recently accepted a position at the University of Michigan Department of Architecture, Engineering and Construction and can be reached at: calebmarquard@gmail.com.
New Members!

Welcome to our new members who joined, rejoined or transferred to AIA Michigan in August and  September of 2013:

 

Andrew C. Peterson, AIA and Thomas A. Wright, AIA


Welcome to AIA Michigan and we look forward to meeting you at future events!!
AIA Michigan Mourns the Passing of Three Members

Brooks Harker Godfrey, AIA, (1936-2013). A lifelong resident of Kalamazoo, Brooks was Senior Principal and Member of the Board of Directors of the architecture, engineering and design firm Kingscott Associates, from which he retired in 2011 after 45 years of service. With his colleagues, he designed dozens of schools across Michigan and the Midwest and Northeast United States. Among the projects he led in the Kalamazoo area are the Epic Center, additions to the First Presbyterian Church and the award-winning renovations to Chenery Auditorium. Other notable projects include additions to Holland High School in Holland, Michigan, winner of several national education awards, and Perry Child Development Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan, a groundbreaking early childhood learning center and winner of the William W. Caudill Citation. In his memory, please consider a donation to your favorite art, music or theater organization or the charity of your choice.

 

Charles "Chuck" Parise, FAIAE, FASTM, (1919-2013). After working for Eero Saarinen & Associates in his early career, Chuck joined Smith, Hinchman & Grylls and rose through the ranks to become the Vice President and Corporate Consulting Architect. He was also active in AIA Michigan and AIA Detroit and even served as chairman of AIA Michigan's 41st Annual Convention. Beloved husband of Evelyn, dearest father of three and loving grandfather of eight, he will be missed by many.

 

Eugene "Gene" Terrill, AIA, (1933-2013). A University of Michigan graduate, he opened his own firm, Gene Terrill Associates, in 1967. In the late 1970's, Gene's firm merged with SSOE, a large Ohio-based Engineering/Architectural firm. He served as a managing Principal of the Flint office until 1988, at which time he relocated to Charlotte and became President of The FWA Group. Throughout his career he was very involved with the AIA. Gene served as President of the Flint Chapter in 1974 and President of the Michigan Society of Architects in 1979. While President of AIA Michigan, Gene created a task force to involve all the chapters, as well as the public, to support AIA's theme "A Celebration of Architecture." Gene's efforts led to the publication of the book, The 50 Most Significant Buildings in Michigan, as well as an exhibit that was displayed in the Rotunda of the State Capitol. After relocating to Charlotte, Gene continued his involvement, serving as the President of AIA Charlotte in 1994.

 

Gene retired in 2002 and his retirement coincided with the birth of his first grandchild. Being a grandfather became his passion for the next ten years and he said the position of grandfather was one his greatest successes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region - Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster in Charlotte.

Upcoming Events

- December 5, 2013: AIA Michigan Holiday Open House, co-hosted with AIA Detroit, Beaubien House

Is there something new you want us to know about you or your firm? 
Is there an event or project you want to share with the AIA Michigan Membership?
Email christine@aiami.com and check out our calendar for the latest events!