AIAGV Elections: Call for Nominations

Each year your Grand Valley Board of Directors is faced, as every organization, with succession - the need to find and develop new leadership. You need to know we are proud of what you, our members, have produced over the years through continuity and creativity of ideas and service. We must continue and expand this tradition of service.

The AIAGV chapter is asking you to seriously consider serving as a director of AIAGV, and place your name (or others you nominate) in nomination.  Email your nominations to nominations@aiagv.net.

The common question: What is required time commitment? Each director attends the board meeting held from 4-6 pm the first Tuesday of each month except the June-August recess. For specific activities related to the position, 2-10 hours per month can be expected. The chapter vice president and president can expect 4-16 hours per month.  The primary counter-point always to this question is the universal observation that ”you get out of it what you put in“.

The following positions are open for nominations, along with their general roles:

Vice President / President Elect

The duties of the Vice President include the following (1) Attend AIA Michigan Leadership Retreat in Traverse City (January) and AIA Grassroots in Washington DC (March) – paid by the Chapter.  (2) Perform duties of the president in the event of absence of the president, president’s disability, refusal or failure to act. Assist the president with significant events (AIA National/State issues, Honor Awards committee). (3) Set up chapter program for the following year using the Model Calendar. (4) Conduct membership outreach. Assist with the Honor Awards Gala.

Michigan Director

The duties of the Michigan Director include the following (1) Serve as liaison between the Grand Valley Chapter and AIA Michigan. (2) Represent the chapter issues and concerns at the state level. (3) Report to the chapter issues being addressed at the state level by AIAMI. (4) Attend monthly AIA business meetings (6 per year). (5) Attend AIA Michigan Mid-Summer Conference at Mackinac Island (partially paid). 

Membership Services

The duties of the Treasurer include the following: (1) Recruiting and retention of chapter members, associates and professional affiliates by organizing outreach lunches at firms during the year, and communicating through the newsletter and website. (2) Serve as liaison between chapter members and AIA Michigan for membership coordination issues. (3) Assist the Board in providing service and value to the membership.

Publicity/Communications

The duties of the Publicity/Communications Director include the following: (1) Serve as primary liaison between the AIAGV chapter, partner organizations and the public at large.  (2) Author press releases for all AIAGV events and distribute the releases to media outlets.  (3) Refine, edit, and expand media contact lists.  (4) Maintain relationships with key reporters at regional newspapers (5) Maintain the chapter website, www.gvaia.org, posting all program announcements, press releases, honor awards, job postings, and calendar of events. (6) Author the AIAGV weekly newsletter and distribute via email to all members and opt-in subscribers. (7) Store, transport, and set-up (ten 4x8) Honor Award Boards at various venues throughout West Michigan.

Government Affairs

The duties of the Government Affairs Director include the following: (1) Act as liaison between AIAGV and local and state legislative bodies, transmitting news about issues and bills that affect the profession. (2) Act as liaison between AIAGV and bulding officials.  (3) Organize local grassroots efforts and particpate in AIAMI efforts to reach key legislators on important bills. (4) Plan the AIAGV Legislative Breakfast.  (5) Attend legislative meetings as appropriate.  (6)  Report the unlicensed practice of architecture to the requisite state authorities through AIAMI.

The Board wants to thank our partners at all of the design firms that have encouraged their members to be involved with the AIA organization, in any capacity, but especially when they run for office and have supported them in their AIAGV responsibilities. This past year we especially thank Progressive AE, TPTA, Paradigm Design A/E, Bazzanni & Associates, Natura Architecture, Design Plus, Classic Engineering, Grainger Construction, FTC&H, DMH Architecture, and ErgoQuest, Inc.