“It is my privilege and great pleasure to roll out the red carpet for the AIA’s annual grassroots leadership and legislative conference” said AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, setting a tone of warm welcome that introduced the theme of “Sharing Learning Leading” for the opening session of the 2003 Grassroots Leadership conference. On Wednesday evening, March 5, in Washington, D.C., Koonce went on to give a brief history of the 40 years of Grassroots, and explained, “The idea was to increase the power of ‘family’ by bringing everyone to one place—the state and local leadership, the AIA board, and members of the national component staff. Names became faces; people became friends.”

“Tonight, we’re here to prime the pump of grassroots with a big helping of fellowship, and lots of applause for those leaders—volunteer and professional staff—who this past year have been living examples of excellence,” echoed AIA President Thompson E. Penney, FAIA. “Grassroots is about learning. We’re here to sharpen our knowledge. Knowledge is our agenda, and sharing will be the way we work. Grassroots is also about developing the self-confidence to be effective leaders.”

“We live in a fragile time; our minds are filled with the fear of war and the constant threat of terrorism. We represent and are advocates for something quite different,” Penney reminded the audience. “Our language is about life, vision, beauty, and building up. We are the trusted advisors for all those who dream of elevating and enriching the human experience.” He challenged the attendees to use the conference to arm themselves with knowledge and understanding and make a renewed commitment to be “soldiers of light.”

For jobs well done
“In the days ahead, you’re going to hear a lot of talk about sharing, and the synergy that comes from sharing,” predicted national AIA President-elect and Grassroots Chair Eugene C. Hopkins, FAIA. “Architecture is a team sport. It doesn’t happen until we work together to become the whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts.”

Hopkins chose the honor of introducing the award programs and recipients, the large number of which indicates the mutual respect, gratitude, and admiration shared within the group. This year’s awards recipients are:

Component Excellence Awards
• AIA Pittsburgh, for a Single Government Affairs Initiative: preserving Pennsylvania’s scenic views by collaborating with the state department of transportation and the governor’s office to improve the Pennsylvania Bridge Barrier Project
• Miguel A. Rodriguez, AIA, AIA Florida,for an Outstanding Individual Contribution to Government Affairs: his resolve in working with Florida state legislators to privatize the Florida Board of Architecture and advance the practice of architecture
• William Beyer, FAIA, AIA Minnesota, for an Outstanding Individual Contribution to Government Affairs: his long-range commitments and achievements in leveraging AIA Minnesota as a resource and partner in the legislative and regulatory process
• William Dikis, FAIA, AIA Iowa, for an Outstanding Individual Contribution to Government Affairs: seeing the “big picture” and working with outside groups to promote the interests of Iowa’s architects and its government affairs program
• AIA Colorado South, AIA Colorado West, AIA Colorado North, and AIA Denver, for a Single Public Affairs Initiative: an innovative and comprehensive media training program that teaches component leaders how to communicate effectively and deliver a consistent, unified message
• AIA Colorado, For a Single Public Affairs Initiative: “The 2001 Host Chapter Convention Report,” a comprehensive guide to implementing a successful national convention
• AIA Detroit, for a Single Public Affairs Initiative: maximizing an opportunity to publish a series of articles in Destination Detroit magazine on the important role of architects in planning and designing livable communities
• Texas Society of Architects, for a Single Public Affairs Initiative: its use of the “Shape of Texas” radio program to enhance the public’s awareness of the role the built environment plays in shaping the heritage of Texas
• Michael Mosley, AIA, AIA Michigan for an Outstanding Individual Contribution to Public Affairs: countless hours designing and managing WWW.AIAMI.COM, a graphically stimulating and user-friendly portal that increases the value of AIA membership
• AIA California Council, for a Public Affairs and Communications Overall Program: a communications strategy that truly embodies the best qualities of a membership organization—asking what members need and providing it
• AIA Southern New York, for a Component Outreach Communications Overall Program: a well-thought-out and effective awareness program that educates young people about architecture
• James Dunn, Assoc. AIA, for an Outstanding Individual Contribution to Membership: his achievements in fostering inclusiveness at the Boston Society of Architects by creating innovative membership opportunities.

National Service Awards
• Mary Mauerman, CAE, Washington Society of AIA, for her leadership and service in the political arena on behalf of the architecture profession in the state of Washington
• Patricia Daugherty, AIA Cincinnati, for her commitment and dedication to ensuring the smooth transition and implementation of the EF Contract Documents
• Michael Waldinger, AIA Illinois, for his political insight and enthusiastic service on the State Government Network, the Government Affairs Advisory Committee, the Interior Design Visioning Task Force, and other component committees.

AIA National Staff Awards
Turn-about is fair play, so 2003 CACE President David Lancaster, executive director, AIA, presented this year’s AIA National Staff Award to the entire AIA national component staff. It reads: “In recognition for our collective sense of partnership and responsibility, and a shared commitment to provide the highest quality member service, as evidenced through mutual assistance, cooperative spirit, and collaborative efforts.”

Membership Pilot Programs
Announcement of the inaugural Membership Pilot Programs also played a role in the evening’s celebration. Hopkins announced the selected programs designed to foster innovative methods for increasing and retaining membership:
• AIA Seattle, for affiliated member recruitment
• AIA Baltimore, for faculty recruitment
• AIA Wilmington, for associate member recruitment
• The Facility Management Knowledge Community (PIA), for reciprocal membership with the International Facility Management Association
• AIA Santa Clara Valley, for a “local chapter only” effort to recruit pre-professionals and those in nontraditional career settings
• AIA California Council, for a nontraditional service model
• AIA Pennsylvania, for multiple tracks recruitment strategies
• USACE/AIA, for broadening membership to be more inclusive of government, corporate, and academic architects
• AIA Baltimore, for government architect recruitment.
(Click here to read more about the individual programs.)

Building relationships
Continuing the awards celebration, Hopkins presented the CES Awards for Excellence, honoring CES Providers and their commitment to an overall system of quality programming. The award, provided this year with generous support from W.P. Hickman Systems, Inc., belongs to:
• Large Firm—Over 100 Employees Category: Gresham, Smith & Partners, Nashville
• Professional Organization Category: Energy Center of Wisconsin, Madison
• Stakeholder—Commercial Category: Ron Blank & Associates, San Antonio.

Lastly, Hopkins introduced CNA/Victor O. Schinnerer’s Construction Senior Vice President Lorna Parsons, and AIA Trust Chair L. Duane Grieve, FAIA, who spoke about the CNA/Schinnerer/AIA Trust Component Grants Program. Hopkins expressed the Institute’s gratitude not only for the companies’ programs of continued support for AIA architects, but also for hosting the evening’s reception, which immediately followed.

—Stephanie Stubbs, Assoc. AIA

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