"Involvement: Political and Personal" forms the theme of the August/September 2002 issue of Focus, the AIA California Council's newsletter. Associate Director of Membership and Marketing Sidney Sweeney reports that the response was "incredible" when she asked past component leaders why they volunteer. We agree and have reprinted some of the responses below.

Gordon Chong, FAIA

For me there are two integrated parts to volunteerism: 1) The business reason and 2) my personal ethics of professionalism.

From a business perspective, I can't afford not to volunteer. Being exposed to a breadth of interdisciplinary as well as design ideas, understanding how nonarchitects (who use our buildings or hire us) think, and exposing the public to the thought processes of an architect can add value and has been central to growing my business. If you view volunteerism as separate from your business, then indeed you can't afford, or justify it; they must be viewed as integral.

Secondly, volunteerism demands that you ethically place the perspective of the broader good before personal gain. When properly prioritized, the clarity of that perspective shines through and reflects well on the ethics of the profession. By contrast, for those who undertake volunteerism for personal gain, it is equally transparent and equally sullying of the profession. Professional ethics is of great societal value and demands that we continue to exercise sensitivity and judgment.

Betsey Olenick Dougherty, FAIA

As a student at Berkeley in the '60s, I learned a great life lesson: If you want to determine your own destiny, leave the world better than the way you found it, live a fulfilling and meaningful life, and be an effective catalyst for change, you must become actively involved in whatever you have a passion and talent for. For me, in my professional life, it has been architecture and environmental design.

I have always felt that the AIA is the only effective collaborative voice representing the profession of architecture. As architects, the AIA is more than just a professional society. It is our political and business advocate, our means to come together as a creative and interested body, our professional link with our communities, our center of professional growth and development, and our conduit for doing good things for the right reasons.

It is important to note that we all lead very busy and complex lives. We each need to weight our priorities. Volunteerism is most rewarding and can be directed in any number of ways.

Brian Dougherty, FAIA

During my first years of activity in the profession of architecture, I saw the AIA as the single forum for a unified voice. It was only natural to gravitate toward an active role within that organization to offer my energy and perspective if I expected to have a meaningful voice in its future.

Don't stand on the sidelines and shout at the players—join in the game! I had no grand plan to chart a course through 25 years of active AIA service. One day leads to the next. The ultimate personal reward for investing in the AIA and the community at large has been the return of far more positive energy into my life than was ever given. I will probably date myself, but it is "karma;" if you give your self to others you will find a richer life.

Harry Hallenback, FAIA

The real answer to "why" is that I care. Like most architects, I get satisfaction out of seeing good ideas become reality. The design instinct and problem-solving capabilities in all of us apply to all aspects of life. Helping to improve our profession and the quality of design is inherent in being a professional. Working to improve how the AIA represents and serves the architecture profession is a problem-solving, creative process.

This is also true with volunteering in my church and community. It comes down to pride and commitment. I like to see things done right; the very best they can possibly be. If you want to make a difference, you have to be involved.

Roberta Jorgensen, FAIA

Why volunteer? "To those to whom much is given, much is expected." As design professionals, we are so privileged to be able to look at our world with different eyes than many others. As long-range planners, our definition of gratification is often measured in years (for a building to materialize) or generations (for an urban plan to fully mature). Our volunteer participation in strengthening our profession and bringing a thoughtful perspective to our community is important, but also fun. We're trained to make a difference—it's in our blood, that's why volunteer!

David Meckel, FAIA

Anyone who has taught knows that amazing learning and growth occurs not only among the students, but within the teacher as well. To me, volunteering brings this same benefit. No matter what I've done over the years with the AIA, museums, schools, community groups, or civic agencies, it has almost always yielded more in return than I invested.

Paul Neel, FAIA

My own commitment started with trying to influence the young people who were my students that the love of what you do goes far beyond just making a living. Volunteering is necessary as a fulfillment of a person's life that includes family, career, and community.

The best part of giving your time to serve is the association with others who are doing what you are doing and for the same reasons. The strength of the profession is directly related to those who give freely for the benefit of others. I personally feel that I have received far more than I have given.

Steven Winkel, FAIA

I volunteer because I see a problem or a need in the society outside of my daily life and practice and I want to do something to make it right. Individuals do make a difference. Rather than sit back and feel bad or complain about some issue, it is much more energizing to do something about it. Volunteering brings great personal reward, especially when the efforts bring tangible results.

I volunteer through the AIA because I realized a long time ago that if I contacted a government organization or another like-minded group as an individual, I had to make a case for why they should listen to me and why I had the ability to be effective. But when I call on behalf of the AIA—at any component level—I have already established my credibility. I can thus proceed more readily toward accomplishing my goals with the backing of the AIA reputation and infrastructure.

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