One of the most important and enjoyable aspects of the AIA’s Grassroots Leadership conference is the annual acknowledgement of outstanding individuals and their jobs well done. This year, presentation of awards to programs, individuals, and chapters took place on each of the conference’s three days.

Government affairs accolades
On Thursday, March 4, Advocacy Day, the AIA honored those chapters that developed outstanding government affairs programs and initiatives over the past year. The awards and their recipients are:

Outstanding Single Government Affairs Initiative to AIA Hawaii, whose success in passing a qualifications-based selection process in the State of Hawaii was based on a 10-year advocacy effort that was inspired by and committed to a vision of excellence in serving clients and the public good.

Outstanding Single Government Affairs Initiative to AIA Florida for “Quality of Education,” an innovative and comprehensive report that promotes informed dialogue among architects, educators, and government officials as communities explore collaboratively the issue of appropriate and design-sensitive learning spaces for K–12 students.

Outstanding Single Government Affairs Initiative to AIA New York State for the commitment to the public good and the dedication to the values of its members, which resulted in the passage of enabling legislation that gives the state education department both a mandate and the power to challenge the illegal practice of a licensed professional.

Component Excellence Awards
On Friday, March 5, Community Day, the AIA honored four programs and individuals for exemplary efforts in the communications and public affairs arenas. And the winners are:

Outstanding Single Public Affairs and Communications Program to AIA Colorado for creating a communications strategy that represents the best about a membership organization—asking what members need and providing it to them. “The Communications Symposium: Communication in Chaos” provides a set of resources to assist members in engaging with purpose a complex and changing world.

Outstanding Single Public Affairs and Communications Program to AIA Delaware for its creativity and innovation in capturing the essence of the design process—“Process and Design: Art by Delaware Architects.” This exhibition is a model for attracting AIA-member firm participation, inspiring further outreach programs and enhancing public awareness of the power of architecture.

Outstanding Individual Public Affairs and Communications Contribution to Kevin M. Gentry, AIA, AIA Asheville, in recognition of his exemplary leadership and service in building and strengthening the structure of component committees, devising effective communications strategies, and providing visibility to the profession. Single-handedly, he has raised the standards for volunteer service with his inspired and long-lasting contributions to AIA Asheville and the profession as a whole.

Outstanding Single Public Affairs and Communications Program to AIA Flint for developing A Guide to Flint Architecture, which documents the role of the profession and the public in building community while inspiring among its neighbors and fellow citizens a sense of pride for their unique heritage and awakening them to the challenge of their future.

Service Awards
On Saturday, March 6, the AIA national staff had the opportunity to bestow National Service Awards on three component executives:

Karen Culbreth Harrison, AIA Georgia/AIA Atlanta, “In recognition of her leadership and boundless energy in bringing the joint conference of the South Atlantic Region (SAR) and the Practice Management knowledge community to fruition and her unwavering dedication to component and knowledge community leaders.”

Elizabeth Mitchell, AIA Utah/AIA Salt Lake, “Generous with her time and advice, enthusiastic in serving the Livable Communities Committee, committed to championing the benefits of a Regional and Urban Design Assistance Team (R/UDAT), serving her members and the CACE Executive Committee, she is a model of an extraordinary leader.”

Karen Lewand, Hon. AIA, AIA Baltimore, “Inspired by her commitment to and passion for the profession, she championed the development of a core leadership curriculum to address the needs of component officers attending the Grassroots conference, provided support and direction for the Component Profile Survey project, and provided leadership as the CACE representative to the AIA Executive Committee.”

Turnabout is fair play, so the components got the opportunity to honor AIA State and Local Government Affairs Director Paul T. Mendelsohn. His citation read, “The American Institute of Architects Council of Architectural Component Executives is pleased to confer this Distinguished Service Award upon Paul T. Mendelsohn, a man who, like Atlas, shoulders a heavy load with patience and great strength, supporting the work of his colleagues in state and local government affairs, enabling them to render the highest standard of service to AIA members in advancing an advocacy agenda that benefits the profession and public alike. Wise counselor, dependable and responsive, he is that rarest of professionals who earns the trust of his colleagues honored to call him friend.”

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