AIA News

President's Message

8/2/2002

Greetings to all our members, especially those who have been wondering if the Chapter is still really here. It is, and the fact that we have not been particularly active this year points up a basic problem we have had for some time: how to get members to actively participate.

We often ask ourselves what the AIA does for us. My answer is that tried and true cliché "you get out what you put in." Everyone is so busy that it is difficult to sometimes break out of a rut and try something new, but I would urge everyone to participate in AIA at some level. The Chapter is in real need of "fresh blood" at the Board and committee level. This is my second tour of duty as a Chapter officer and I am enjoying it more than the first time because I know more about what I am doing. One of the advantages of being the Chapter president is being on the Board of AIA Washington Council. Through Washington Council I have renewed acquaintances with old classmates, met new architects from all over the state, and gained real insight into what really goes on in Olympia (at least as far as issues that effect our profession). Chapter elections are coming up, so if you are interested, call or email me, or another board member to discuss what its all about.

Serving on the Chapter Board isn't the only way to get involved. We have a web site, which needs updating and maintaining. Anyone out there who is up to the challenge of contributing to it? The Newsletter has traditionally been put out by whoever is past president. It would be far better if we had a Newsletter Chair who handled this, so that we could hope for continuity (and regular issues) from year to year. The Newsletter can be part of the website, or e-mailed, or hardcopy (hardcopy being the most expensive for the Chapter).

On the state level, get involved with an AIA Washington Resource Group. These groups provide input on pending legislative issues so that Mary Mauerman and our lobbyist know which bills are important to us. Generally no more involvement is needed than feeding your opinions back to the resource group chair. For more information on resource groups, check with Kris or Mary at AIA Washington (800-722-0394) or with Jon Hopwood, our AIA Washington Government Issues liaison.

If nothing else, come to meetings. Meet your fellow architects. Find out what is going on in the firms our Chapter serves. Give us feedback on what will make the Chapter (and the state organization, and National) more valuable to you.

Don't wait for someone else to take a lead - do something.

I would like to welcome some new faces to AIA Central Washington, Bruce Baker, Jose Covarrubias, Michael Corbin, Andrew Griffin, Linda Newcomb and Gary Watkins, and welcome back Kristyn Clayton (whom National managed to lose for a couple of years).

Lois Wardell, R.A., AIA
President




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9/05/2002

AIA Central Washington Chapter Vice President Jim Dillman chatting about architecture with world-famous Canadian architect Mr. Arthur Erickson at the August Regional Conference in Tacoma. Attending the conference is a great chance to meet and converse with such famous architects. Click here to see Jim and Arthur