AIA Grassroots 2008

March 26, 2008 on 7:31 pm | In general

As a representative of the RAIC Alberta Chapter, Laura Plosz attended the AIA Grassroots 2008 Leadership and Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. The conference is an annual event held for the leaders of the various components within the AIA, designed to share skills and strategies for advocating for architecture at the local, state and federal levels. Over a thousand representatives from across the United States attended, as well as a few guests from the RAIC.

More on Laura’s visit to Washington:

The sheer size and reach of the AIA organization is, quite simply, impressive. This conference represented only a fraction of the dedicated volunteers acting at the three levels of the AIA, making it actually difficult to comprehend the total number of architects in their country who believe in the importance of architecture and in the need to act as an advocate. The conference not only provided me with additional strategies for advocacy but also strengthened my resolve that it is worth it and within our capabilities (and limitations of time). It also helped me to realize that although we do not (currently) have the public reputation or administrative back-bone of the AIA, that we can capitalize upon the benefits of an open and dynamic structure. As a relatively new entity, the Alberta Chapter does not carry with it the baggage of traditional organizations, nor the impediments to becoming involved in a leadership or team member position. We have the ability to involve the entire spectrum of our membership, from senior practitioners to students, from interns to young professionals. It just takes a vision and the willingness to act on it.

If you’d like to hear more about my attendance at the conference – including projects the AIA YAF (Young Professionals Forum) are pursuing, please talk to me at the RAIC AB Chapter booth at the Banff Sessions.

For more information on some of the AIA strategies on advocacy, please visit http://www.aia.org/adv_whyarchitectsneedtogetinvolved