Summary: “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.

“It stands to reason that all of us must consider our expenses carefully now. So this personal plea to maintain your membership with the American Institute of Architects may, at first, seem counterintuitive.

“However, I contend your AIA membership is an invaluable investment in the future of your practice or career. The organization that celebrates your success in good times is also the organization that supports you through rough times. The AIA, so important when work is plentiful, becomes essential when work is scarce.

“As a valued member of the AIA, your continued support is important to us, and therefore I am asking you to renew your membership by March 31, 2009. (Your membership benefits lapse the following day.) In return for your continued support, you can count on the AIA to respond to your needs and offer tools and resources that can help you weather an uncertain economic climate.”

Recently created AIA-member benefits

• Navigating the Economy, an online source of practical information and tools. As part of this program, AIA Continuing Education produced four Webcasts on economic issues. Each Webcast, free to members, also qualified for learning units. More are planned for this year.
• Rebuild & Renew, the AIA-led initiative that helped to increase funds in the newly signed economic stimulus plan for school modernization, infrastructure repair, greener construction, and financial relief for design firms. Taken together, we estimate that these provisions and others in the bill will create or save as many as 14,000 architect jobs over the next two years.
• AIA Career Center enhancements, which now include position listings for part-time and contract work as well as full-time permanent jobs. All Career Center services are free to job seekers.
• Economic workshops and seminars at the AIA 2009 National Convention and Design Exposition in San Francisco April 30-May 2. The AIA has developed dozens of courses and programs on career management, job coaching, resume writing, interviewing skills, and portfolio development. Members who cannot make it to San Francisco can still participate virtually; many convention programs will be available through streaming video—shortly after they are presented live.

In addition, many state and local AIA components across the country are reinforcing these efforts with their own innovative economic programs to assist their members.

For more than 150 years, the AIA has been there, member supporting member, to advance the profession's standing. Now, more than ever, your continued membership in the AIA is a smart investment in a better future for the profession and all those you serve.