Report to AIAGV Board on the AIA Michigan 63rd Mid-Summer Conference 

The following bullet points summarize this years Mid-Summer Conference:

*  Attendance: 242 AIA members, 90 AGC Michigan, 75 AGC Detroit

*  I met our new AIA 1st VP/President Elect for 2008: Marshall E. Purnell, FAIA, of Washington DC.  Guess what? He is from Grand Rapids Michigan! Went to Ottawa Hills HS and University of Michigan, making this the 3rd U of M architect to be AIA president in 5 years – Gene Hopkins (of nearby Belding!), RK Stewart and now Marshall! His entire family still lives in GR and he comes back yearly. I invited him to call on us when he is here next. His firm is Devrouax & Purnell, Architects Planners, a 35 staff architect only firm. I gave him our chapter report and talked about what we all are doing. A really neat guy.

*  I met Christine McEntee, our new VP and CEO of AIA, replacing Norman Koonce. Past career in health care.

*  Everything is about member value: practical tools and resources and to be able to tell you more easily (e-knowledge). Expect a desktop format link to the most important needs for you (customizable); advocacy and prestige with government organizations; the untold story of what architects are doing in their community every day.

*  See aiq.org/siteObjects/files/final tax memo.pdf increased tax deduction up to 9% from 3% for qualified professionals.

*  I gave her our chapter report and highlighted Jim Conner’s questions asking for her to get to the right person to get back in touch with me. I’ll help explain then and then get Jim to connect with that person.  I confirmed the same with past president Gene Hopkins that the Professional Affiliates is a very important part of AIA and they have a person who serves that role. Gene and Christine were very impressed that we had a Professional Affiliates director. Our chapter continues to cut new ground of creativity!

*  Immediate Priorities:

        *  E-knowledge – launches at Convention June 07.

        *  Green Cities Toolkit for Mayors – launches October 2006.

        *  Collaboration with other organizations.

        *  Diversity, especially in positions of leadership. (We need to cultivate this too).

        *  Change to a culture of ”how can we help you?“

*  AIAMI board 2007 – Jeff Houseman PP; Dennis King P; Steve Smith VP/PE; Ron Campbell T; Alan Cobb S; Associate Dir. David Knapp; student from LTU. Celeste Novak Regional director up in 2007. Nominations for 2008-2010 come thru chapter president. Contact Rae or Celeste for proper roles. Harry Terpstra considering.  I was considering also, until I heard that, and will prefer then to continue as a Chapter Director.

*  AIAMI committees: contact Dennis King who is looking for a chair for the Public Awareness Committee, if you are interested (Jeff VandenBosch?). Chair Mid-summer conference – Gay Skog; Membership – Jeff Zocas; Honor Awards & Design Retreat – Art Smith; Committee on the Environment – Charles Poote; Mentoring – Bob Daverman (with Tom Mathison, Steve Smith, Al Vegter, Randy Case; Government Affairs – Ben Tiseo & Fred Butters; Municipal Facilities Conference Michael Strothers

*  Important Dates: Jan 12, 13 – Leadership  Retreat and AIA 150 kickoff at Grand Traverse Resort ; Feb 7-10 – Grassroots; Mar 8,9 Health Conf at Amway Grand Plaza; Mar 20 or 29 – Legislative Howling; April 9-14 National Architecture Week (working to get Governor to sign similar for State; April 20,21 state honor awards in Plymouth; May 3-5 – convention in San Antonio; Aug 9-11 Mid-summer Conference; OCT 11-12  - Education Conference.

Government Affairs Report:

*  Interior Design – at the hearing 2 weeks back we had 25 members show up. Dave VanderPloeg closed his office and brought his whole staff to the hearing to testify. The senators asked Fred & Ben to provide them how California is handling Interior Design registration. While it looks like the Senate Committee is starting to sway towards tabling, which would send the bill back to square one, there will likely be a hearing in the fall during the lame duck period that could make it easier for interior designers to squeak this one thru. Government Affairs will notify us.

*  Statute of Limitations Draft may happen this session. Changing fro 6 years to 2 years

*  Unlicensed practice – penalties $5000, 3rd offence a felony. Passed in House, looks good in Senate.

*  Certificate of Merit for suits – tough bill to get passed.

*  Watch for the K-16 initiative funding guaranteed at minimum rate of inflation.

*  Watch for overspending government – may affect infrastructure work needed.

*  Fall fundraiser for Rep. Steve Tobak.

*  APAC raised $3,600 from attendees in 24 hours at Mackinac! I wish we could have one meeting a year that did the same from our chapter. The master calendar has one month on Leadership – January, and I think one on Legislation – March?

*  AIA150 – theme for Michigan is CELEBRATE PRIDE PARTICIPATION – Gene Hopkins is Michigan chair: he reported the goal of AIAMI is to create a document to be used to advocate what we do. It might be similar to the Livability 101 booklet. Each component will be represented by each of the 10 principals (10 chapters) to represent what AIA Michigan is all about. This will provide a mosaic of our state.  Also 150 most significant buildings in Michigan will be produced.

*  Dues: AIA will be up 3.1% (COL); AIAMI board unanimously approved increase in dues for regular members $9.00 (3.16%), Associates $1.50 (2.9%), and Emeritus $1.00. AIAMI had a small increase last year. Board advised chapters that it is easier to do small incremental increases every 2 years, than a large one all at once. These are cost of living increases and if you don’t do this, you will find that your chapter will fall behind. Treasurer needs to bring the recommendation before the board for voting in September for next calendar year. AIAMI must have by November.

*  AIAMI Presidents Council: I suggested that chapters should consider forming something similar as a way to continue their expertise and wisdom in a relevant and ongoing way. This had never been suggested before, and the AIAMI board said it was a really good idea. I put forth the recommendation that we review and edit the interest form from our perspective and make a motion to adopt this.

*  Guide to Grand Valley Architecture: 1st printed draft with content should be ready end of September. We need one person to contact firms for the fundraising part. First, I will call on Milt Rowher of Frey Foundation and show him the draft to verify their match. Then, visit the firm leaders and show them. Each firm that supports monetarily of pro-bono service will get their name on it. Goal: final printing and distribution December. AIA Huron Valley is already in their 3rd printing and have created a PodCast that can be downloaded from AIA Michigan website.

*  Board meetings: Never hold them alone! Invite list ideas:

       *  Firm owner’s, execs and architectural discipline leaders

       *  Complementary organizations

       *  Affiliates

       *  Government and Planners – GVMC and the regional MPOs

       *  Foundations aligned with design, community livability and sustainability: Frey, Wege,     Steelcase, Herman Miller, etc.

       *  Sustainable organizations: WMEAC, CSP, WMSBF, LC of WM, etc.

       *  Schools: Kendal/FSU, Calvin, GRCC, Aquinas, WMU, GVSU Eng and MAREC, Andrews U   (?), etc.

*  The Steelcase Think chair was won by Mike Mosley who immediately gave it to his wife        Cathy at AIAMI!