Summary: The Member Covenant, which the AIA Board adopted at its September meeting, is intended to be a living document that addresses the expectations of members in terms of services, benefits, and costs as well as the expectations of the organization regarding an active and participatory volunteer membership. “If the relationship between the organization and its members can be likened to a marriage, the covenant could be considered the wedding vows,” AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Christine McEntee notes. “The desired outcome is a long and mutually beneficial relationship among all the partners of the professional community that is the AIA.”

The one-page document is a reciprocal guidepost set forth in the context of the AIA’s new Mission Statement (right), public policies, and position statements. It is intended to increase the value of the organization by encouraging member participation and involvement. “For us to have collaboration and a unified culture, people have to have a sense of commitment,” says Paul W. Welch Jr., Hon. AIA, executive vice president, AIA California Council, and chair of the Component Partnerships Committee, which developed and authored the covenant. That shared responsibility makes for a richer member experience that allows “better things to happen in communities,” Welch says.

For us to have collaboration and a unified culture, people have to have a sense of commitment

Two commitments
The covenant is divided into two sections. The first is “The Commitment of the AIA,” which, through its seven points, outlines how “The members of the American Institute of Architects create a community to share knowledge and advocate a shared vision to have a positive impact on the direction of the profession, the shape of our neighborhoods, and our world.” The goals relate to governance, standards of professionalism and integrity, advancement of public policies, knowledge sharing, fellowship, and inclusiveness.

The second section is the “The Contribution of Members.” The seven bullet points refer to the way “Members of the American Institute of Architects can realize the most value from their membership and contribute to the success of the organization.” That includes, in part, “taking time to become informed about AIA services and programs” and “responding as a citizen and architect to community needs.” The covenant states: “When members take part in civic dialogue as volunteers, communities become better places, architects gain perspective, and the profession is more highly valued.”

By forging a good-faith partnership among members, the AIA accomplishes things no single architect can do alone!—AIA Member Covenant

“This is not a command and control document, or meant to be onerous,” Welch points out. Instead, the Member Covenant “looks at the organization from 30,000 feet to assess what the AIA aspires to be. As we get closer to the ground, we begin to clarify roles.” For positive change, Welch says, “we have to make a mutual investment, both spiritually and emotionally. Member service is no different.” Documents to follow will further refine roles of the many AIA constituencies.

Setting expectations
The covenant was first discussed as “The Member’s Bill of Rights” when Elizabeth Mitchell, AIA Utah/Salt Lake executive director and CACE representative to the Executive Committee, initially presented it to the Board in June. Setting forth expectations is a basic building block for membership in the AIA and fundamental to the Component Partnerships Committee’s work, the group noted. “Membership growth and retention is largely a consequence of expectations: expectations of the members in terms of services, benefits, and cost, and expectations of the organization regarding an active and participatory volunteer membership,” Mitchell says.

Welch calls it a “bold move by the AIA to go beyond dues payment,” to expect members to become active participants in the AIA family. Mitchell notes that the covenant “resolves how and in what ways the AIA can be a resource for its members.”

—Tracy Ostroff