John R. Flynn, AIA
Member since 1991
Hello, Colleagues –
My name is John Flynn and I’m serving on AIA Oregon’s Board of Directors in an At-Large capacity with a focus on Communications. I’ve been active as a Board Member for the past several years, contributing my efforts as the state-wide AIA structure has transitioned to a single-state chapter entity with multiple Sections. Reconstituting ourselves as a single state Chapter has emphasized the need for improved communication across all membership and increased member involvement in committees, programs, and professional outreach.
Members from across the state recently gathered in Portland for a day-long work session focused on several strategic initiatives for the coming year. These initiatives stem from our reorganization and a self-imposed challenge to improve the value of membership for all within AIA Oregon. We are a member-driven institute and we want the best experience that we can give ourselves.
Previous Thursday messages have mentioned the four strategic initiatives that were developed and in today’s communiqué, I’d like to update readers on the latest actions that the initiative groups have advanced. (And give a shout-out to the member volunteers who are leading the charge.)
Strategic Initiative 1 – Elevate the Member Experience
Group Leader – Colin Dean, AIA (Eugene)
Board Liaison – Jim Satzinger, AIA (Bend)
One of the great benefits of AIA membership is the sharing of knowledge among design professionals. Our single state chapter presents a great opportunity to provide continuing education to members in every Section – comprehensively and simultaneously! As part of our commitment to members and member-services, the group leading Strategic Initiative 1 is focused on the necessary steps to have Sections host continuing ed webinars that are available to all members throughout the state.
The first of these simulcasts is scheduled for January 10, 2020 at noon. “2109 OSSC Updates,” a two-hour class covering the latest building code changes, will make two continuing education credits available to AIA attendees in Portland (live) or at any other Sections’ remote class locations. Event details, including registration, are available on the AIAO website.
Strategic Initiative 2 – Enhance Professional Development
Group Leader – Chris Moore, AIA (Bend)
Board Liaison – Andy Owen, AIA (Southern Oregon)
One significant goal for this strategic initiative is to improve the operation of our committee structure to support state-wide relationships. It’s clear that we accomplish a significant majority of our programs and development of knowledge content through the work of the committees. And although many committees are locally situated, all are AIA Oregon committees.
AIA Oregon is actively coordinating committees throughout the state as they develop resources and content that can be shared by members. This strategic initiative group has begun initial steps to coalesce resources that can be available on our website as a resource library for members.
Strategic Initiative 3 – Improve Our Communities
Group Leader – Dana Ing Crawford, AIA (Southern Oregon)
Board Liaison – John Flynn, AIA (Portland)
This strategic initiative embraces the collective power of architects working together and looks to communicate that through outreach and advocacy for the profession. Architects get engaged with their communities in many ways – through design, design advocacy, and civic involvement. It’s important that the general public know who we are, what we do, and that we architects are making a difference in the issues that concern our communities.
The group has initiated several tasks that will communicate architects’ advocacy successes and identify opportunities for issues-based community enhancement activities. The team will look to create outreach avenues that will promote the role of the architect in the betterment of our communities.
Strategic Initiative 4 – Adapt to the Changing Profession
Group Leader – Joseph Sis, Assoc. AIA (Southern Oregon)
Board Liaison – Daniel Roth, Assoc. AIA (Salem)
Architects lead the way in preparing for a better future. Whether it’s forward-thinking design, leading-edge building technology, or environmental stewardship, we collectively hold a wealth of ideas and resources that can make an improved difference in peoples’ lives.
A specific action that this group is working on is identifying 12 “hot” topics that can be organized into a monthly resource posting on our website. We foresee an exchange of knowledge and resources similar to the Knowledge-Based Communities sponsored by AIA National. The group is developing ideas around how this “Resource Blog” can be integrated into our website.
As you can likely tell from the brief reports above, AIA Oregon is stepping up to increased communication, engagement, and activity. Our organization needs members to bring their interests and energy to our strategic initiatives (and our committees, as well.) If you’d like to get involved, contact any of the Strategic Initiative Team Leaders listed above directly or through AIAO staff.
Look to these weekly messages for future updates on Strategic Initiative progress!Thanks and don’t forget to attend your upcoming Section Holiday Party!