 A Warm Welcome from Grassroots 2007
Even the frigid weather in Washington on February 7 couldn’t dampen spirits as members of the AIA Executive Committee, the Council of Architectural Components Executives (CACE) Executive Committee, and AIA national staff kicked off the 2007 Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference with a warm wave and salute to the AIA members they serve. AIArchitect will bring you updated highlights from the Grassroots conference in this issue and the next. 
 THIS JUST IN:
AIA Reveals Public’s Choice America’s Best Architecture
Six-term Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), longtime champion of the professions that shape the built environment, on February 7 joined AIA President RK Stewart, FAIA, and Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Christine McEntee to announce the 150 top-ranked projects from the “America’s Favorite Architecture” survey. Blumenauer hosted the Capitol Hill press conference in the Rayburn House Office Building. The announcement culminated an AIA150 initiative, for which the Institute hired Harris Interactive to conduct a nationwide survey that identified what the public believes are 150 of America’s favorite architectural wonders. Did your favorite make the list?
 Grassroots 2007 Highlights “Celebrating the Past, Designing the Future”
Sustainability rules the day; Congress calls for Architecture Week proclamation
“Welcome to Washington. Welcome to Grassroots 2007 and the opening session of the AIA’s annual Leadership and Legislative Conference,” said AIA Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Chris McEntee as she opened the Institute’s annual event for 800 AIA leaders on February 7 in the nation’s capital. McEntee; AIA President RK Stewart, FAIA; and AIA First Vice President and Grassroots Chair Marshall Purnell, FAIA, kicked off the Grassroots welcoming session by stressing the importance of adhering to the AIA’s enduring core values as members celebrate its 150th year, sustainability and the role architects and architecture can play in mitigating society’s impact on climate change, and bringing the AIA’s message to Capitol Hill and to the public.
Three “Asks” Top Legislative Agenda; Focus on Sustainability
Hundreds of architects carried the message of sustainability to Capitol Hill February 8, as they advocated the AIA federal issue agenda. Energy efficiency in federal buildings, sustainable design and water quality, and tax deductions for energy-efficient commercial buildings topped their list of primary “asks” during the Advocacy Day program of the Grassroots Legislative and Leadership conference. Says Paul Mendelsohn, vice president, AIA Government and Community Relations: “This is a slate of priorities of which AIA members can be proud.”
 Meet the 2007 Candidates for AIA National Office
Candidates for 2008 office delivered their initial campaign statements at the 2007 Grassroots and Legislative Conference on February 8. From the left, the candidates are:
Marvin J. Malecha, FAIA (First Vice President)
Peter Arsenault, AIA (Vice President)
Clark Manus, FAIA (Vice President)
Hal P. Munger, FAIA (Treasurer)
David Brotman, FAIA (Vice President)
Michael Broshar, FAIA (First Vice President) |
