Wow, it's hard to believe that February 2018 has come and is now almost over. Next thing you know it will be March Madness, AIA Grassroots in San Diego (beautiful weather I hope), AESLC (Architects Engineers Surveyors Legislative Committee) Legislative Day and the Health Facilities conference in Traverse City.

 

Since most of my month of February was spent sitting at home recovering from a knee replacement, I got to think a bit more about the age old question of what the AIA has done for me. The real question is not what the organization has done but what are the opportunities AIA has made available to me/you as a member. The key is for you to get involved. When you get involved, you meet many diverse and interesting people that you would not have if you had not gotten involved. If you sit on a board(s), your travels will take you to places that may not be on your bucket list but are just as intriguing and you get to plan for the future of your profession.

 

Here is a recommendation that just might interest you. Get involved with our AIA MI Government Affairs Committee. The committee meets six times per year and one of those is the Legislative Day. You may want to become a champion and follow one of the many items/bills that this committee keeps a watchful eye on. Some items/bills move at a snails pace and others move very quickly and need immediate attention.

 

 

Feel free to bring along an emerging professional. Become a voice for our profession. This allows you the opportunity to sit around a table and get to know your legislator by name and face and even better yet, they get to know you.

 

Lastly, we ask for a donation of 75.00 to APAC. Many do not know that this is a donation and not a mandatory fee. That being said, these funds are utilized to support elections of legislators that support architects and their causes. Last year (2017) only 22 of our 1716 Michigan members supported APAC. This provided $1,925.00 for Legislature support, it was once said that even the Chicken Farmers do more. On an average this would equate to $87.50 per member who supported the cause. If we could get support from every member at $5.00 each that would provide $8,580.00 for the APAC. I believe that each member could afford that. What if we could even get $10.00 per AIA Member and $5.00 for each associate? This would provide $12,290.00 for APAC and that does not include Emeritus members. You know the old saying need not be present to win, well need not be present to support your future profession. Please consider supporting this worthy cause. If you need additional information on how to contribute contact Evelyn at AIA MI.

 

Yours in AIA,