I am seeking your support for the position of secretary of the Institute for 2003-2004. As a quick introduction, I am the principal of my own firm, Larry M. Schneider AIA, and here are some highlights of my AIA and community-service activities.

AIA Service
• Currently Florida-Caribbean Regional Director
• Member—Secretary's Advisory Committee
• Member—AIA Codes and Standards Committee
• Past Chair—AIA Resolutions Committee
• Past Member—AIA Practice Management Committee
• Past AIA Florida and AIA Palm Beach President

AIA Recognition
• AIA National Component Excellence Award for Contribution to Government Affairs
• AIA Florida Gold Medal, the Anthony L. Pullara Award, and the Presidents Award
• AIA Palm Beach Gold Medal and the John Stetson Memorial Award
• AIA Florida and AIA Palm Beach Design Awards

Community Service
• Past Chair—Florida Board of Building Codes and Standards
• Member—State of Florida Fire Marshals Fire Code Advisory Council
• Community Service Recognition
• Governors Award for Extraordinary Title III Compliance
• Miami-Dade County Award for Outstanding Activities for Persons with Disabilities
• Florida Trust for Historical Preservation Design Award

My goal as secretary is to ensure that the membership be well informed of all important issues the Institute leadership is considering. One of my major concerns is to be a good communicator to you, the member, and to be attentive to expressions of your concerns and issues. It is my belief that the Institute should be the prime member resource to help our members with the challenges in their profession.

The relationship between the local, state, and national components should be seamless, with each entity doing what it does best. Information must flow freely in both directions and be shared throughout the component structure.

The AIA must continue to support good design, good business practices, and the education of our membership. Our membership must include practitioners in traditional and nontraditional roles as well as unlicensed individuals who work within and with the profession—students, architectural graduates, professional affiliates, and the public who are interested in the built environment. The AIA must resolve our membership categories and move forward. Working with the membership, we must define where we are and where we need to be. We've made a good start, now we must finalize the debate. Once we determine who we are going to be, then we can move productively on your behalf.

The AIA must show financial responsibility, and as a member of your executive committee, I promise you that I will continue with the current plan to resolve our financial situation positively. We must also make sure that TIMSS is working for everyone.

I will work toward open lines of communication with NAAB, NCARB, ACSA, AIAS, and allied professions. It is imperative that we work productively on our differences and support our common goals for the betterment of the profession and society.

I look forward to your support and the opportunity to serve you and the Institute as your next secretary

Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.