 Renew Today, AIA Membership Benefits Lapse April 1
“I know that these are difficult and challenging times,” wrote AIA President Marvin Malecha, FAIA, in a recent message to the membership. “The community of architects is an intimate one, and we all know friends or colleagues who have seen projects stall or business drop precipitously. Perhaps we know someone who has been laid off or who had to shutter his or her practice. 
New Convention Sessions Announced
Succession planning, re-engineering the firm, accessibility
In response to demand for convention education programs pertinent to the current firm-principal demographics and corporate difficulties, AIA convention education planners have added two programs featuring noted Chicago attorney Jonathan Howe. With more than 40 years of distinguished practice in business law, Howe will discuss issues of getting ahead while getting out of a business or, alternatively, strategies and prudent tactics for downsizing a firm. Another addition is a speaker at a Wednesday ADA workshop speaking specifically on the California Accessibility Specialist Program and SB 1608.
AIA Minnesota Holds Meeting for Out-of-Work Members
In early March, AIA Minnesota held a support meeting at its Minneapolis office for its out-of-work members. AIA Minnesota member Ray Dehn, Assoc. AIA, organized the meeting through the social networking Web site Facebook. (Dehn experienced his own life’s disruption when he was laid off last November.) Dehn used Facebook to organize the support meeting and encourage out-of-work members to get in touch with each other. The meeting attracted about 25 AIA Minnesota members representing various ages. AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, spoke at the meeting and presented his economic overview. AIA Minnesota Executive Vice President Beverly Hauschild-Baron, Hon. AIA, says the meeting was a success and will be held monthly. Hauschild-Baron encourages AIA components to hold similar support meetings for their out-of-work members.
 Have a Flight Coming Up? Heed These New TSA Requirements
You may need to provide more information to ticket agents
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued its “Final Rule on Secure Flight” which shifts pre-departure watch list matching responsibilities from individual airlines to the (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
 Reed Offers No-Cost Economic Outlook Webinar
On April 16, from 2:00-3:30 ET, Reed Construction Data is broadcasting via the Web “A Stimulating Time for Construction.” The Webinar is free and participants can earn 1.5 AIA Continuing Education Units.
AIA Appoints New Director of Diversity and Inclusion
AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Chris McEntee announced the appointment of Sherry Snipes as the Institute’s director of diversity and inclusion, effective April 20. Appointed after a nationwide search, Snipes will lead the AIA’s strategic initiative to enhance diversity within and among AIA components, firms, and members. |
