by Russell Boniface
Associate Editor

Summary: The AIA Knowledge Leadership Assembly and Council of Architectural Component Executives (CACE) overlapped their annual meetings jointly July 14–18 in Arizona, along with representatives from the AIA College of Fellows, National Associates Committee, and Young Architects Forum. AIA President Marvin J. Malecha, FAIA, told the assembled that the conference was an opportunity for them to better define leadership roles within the Institute as it moves forward. AIA Arizona hosted the annual meeting.

While in the Phoenix area, CACE members made a visit to Taliesen West.

CACE President William Babcock, Hon. AIA, told attendees in his opening remarks that attendees share a common goal. “I think that we can all come away with valuable information to provide greater value to our members and figure out how we can all work together to increase the value that members receive,” he said. “It is great that we come together to talk about shared values and services to our members. CACE and KLA have been moving in parallel universes over the years, and now we are coming together at this meeting. It is an historic opportunity.”

An opportunity to provide feedback
“We are One AIA,” Malecha said. “Our members come to us in different ways, and it is our responsibility to get them the services they need, especially during these times.”

The meeting presented an opportunity for the KLA/CACE attendees to provide vital feedback to the AIA Board as it moves the Institute forward, Malecha said: “It has been traditional at the AIA that we would have a strategic advance and a long-range advisory group. Well, this year we brought all of that strategic planning to the Board, which brought a strategic plan forward and will be shared with you here as a concept design. You are going to have a chance to bring feedback. You are at the beginning of the process. The Board will see the reworking of this in September, and that will have an influence on the Institute budget and how we move forward in the years to come. It is important that we do this together.”

One personality who came out to greet the visitors to Taliesen West was Frank Lloyd Wright’s physician there, still active at 92, Dr. Joe Rorke.

Malecha said that the KLA/CACE annual meeting provided an opportunity for the Institute to consider the roles of the components and the national AIA. “It is time for the Institute to do some thinking,” he said. “Where do we properly deliver services? What should be done at the component and national level? Should there be duplication? Sometimes there are things that national is doing that can be better done at the local component level. There are things that national should be doing because only national can do it, such as advocacy. But for us to become a true leadership organization in our industry and profession, we are going to have to ask those questions. I think we have a great opportunity to rethink the structure of the Institute and really ask ourselves those questions. Members expect it of us. We have to be more efficient in how we deliver these services. We now have an opportunity at this meeting to do that. Let’s not rub up against each other but let’s support each other, work together, and let’s remember we are One AIA.”

AIA Arizona President Mark Patterson, AIA, welcomed the KLA and CACE leadership during the opening session. “I have come to appreciate the work that you do on behalf of your components, your constituents, and the knowledge communities,” he said.