Grassroots | |||||||||||
Grassroots Conference Seeks
Grassroots Involvement YOU Can Help Shape the Institute’s Agenda |
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In a tradition dating back almost 40 years, local, state, and national leaders of the AIA will gather March 5–8 at the Grassroots Annual Leadership and Legislative Conference (fondly known as “Grassroots”) to share information on specific challenges that relate to their own experiences and enhance their leadership skills through innovative and creative workshops. This year’s event, in the nation’s capital, focuses on the theme of “Sharing, Learning, Leading,” which lends credible definition to what Grassroots is all about. Sharing: The opening session and awards presentations honor Component Excellence, CES Providers, and National Service Awards, as well as the AIA Trust-CNA-Victor O. Schinnerer Component Grants. The Institute’s annual Open House, and the American Architectural Foundation’s Accent on Architecture gala at the National Building Museum also offer great opportunities to honor great architects and architecture and join in fellowship. Learning: This year’s Grassroots offers a blend of networking, continuing-education opportunities, and resource-packed displays and exhibits in the new “Knowledge Café” (formerly the AIA Resources Center). This venue allows presidents, presidents-elect, and component executives to network with one another and AIA staff. Best Practices sessions allow members to exchange and share information on specific component programs and activities. Leading: March 6, Government Affairs Day, offers AIA members the opportunity to get an insider’s view of Washington. Politicians and pundits as guest speakers will frame the political realities of the closely divided 108th Congress, put perspective on legislative priorities, and offer briefings on a wide array of congressional business affecting you and the members of your component. The program sets aside an afternoon for architects to meet with your congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. AIA members and staff will educate and develop relationships with the newly elected members of the 108th Congress while renewing old alliances and reemphasizing the important role AIA architects play in the public realm, from planning neighborhood schools to providing for a more secure America. YOU can get involved: Even if YOU won’t be attending Grassroots, YOUR feedback counts. For instance, the 2003 Issues Forum, presented March 8, promises to challenge, energize, and enlighten via an innovative keypad response system that provides immediate feedback on YOUR issues. YOU can provide input on AIA initiatives and learn from YOUR counterparts by talking with your state and local leadership and telling them what’s on YOUR mind. YOU can also follow what’s going on in daily AIArchitect updates. For a start on talking points, why not take a look at the results of last year’s Grassroots initiative, A National Conversation. You can also initiate Institute discussion groups and debriefing sessions when your component execs and elected leaders return home. It’s YOUR professional society—it needs YOUR input. Why not today? Copyright 2003 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved. |
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