Message from the AIAO EVP/CEO

Heather Wilson
AIA Oregon Executive Vice President/CEO

Cultivating Genuine Exchange

If you did not know already, the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) will be hosting their annual conference October 26-30, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. Our very own BRIC Architecture, the largest WBE-Certified architecture firm in Oregon, will be represented in a presentation on “Cultivating an Equitable and Inclusive Office Culture” and you can still register to see it!

NOMA members in Oregon are also often AIA members, and participate eagerly, leading our conversations on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Social Justice in the Built Environment, and providing representation on our Board and in our Committees so that our conversations about how to build better places to live work and play is a truly diverse conversation, inviting and inclusive.

The way AIA Oregon members can best display our connection, I believe, would be to participate fully in the exchange. Many questions you have as a firm principal, new architect, student or business owner will be answered at this conference. The presentations will come from a fresh perspective, and you will likely gain educational insights that come from cultural exchange with a genuine desire to learn.

Your 2024 AIA President, Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, is a NOMA member, and made many aspects of her platform about the connection she hopes to foster between the organizations through her Presidency. We have the same desire here at AIA Oregon, and the Board of Directors approved the action to recognize all NOMA members as AIA Oregon members – that means every member of NOMA will also be extended the benefits of membership in AIA (member pricing for events, eligibility for leadership positions on the Board of Directors, awards eligibility).

We hope this action continues to foster close ties between NOMA national, NOMA PDX, and AIA Oregon. I personally hope you take the opportunity to sign up for the virtual conference and tune in.

NOMA UNPLUGGED - NASHVILLE 2022 - NOMA

Message from a Young Architect

Nicole Becker, AIA
Associate, ZGF Architects

Consider being the state representative to the YAF

As we approach 2023, the dissolution of the former regions places Oregon in the position to select a state Representative to the Young Architect’s Forum (YAF). The YAF is the voice of recently licensed architects and a catalyst for change within the profession and our communities. Working closely with the AIA College of Fellows and the American Institute of Architects as a whole, the YAF is leading the future of the profession with a focus on architects licensed less than 10 years. The national YAF Advisory Committee is charged with encouraging the development of national and regional programs of interest to young architects and supporting the creation of YAF groups within local chapters.

Approximately 23,000 AIA members are represented by the YAF. YAF programs, activities, and resources serve young architects by providing information and leadership; promoting excellence through fellowship with other professionals; and encouraging mentoring to enhance individual, community, and professional development. There are six areas of focus for the YAF, each led by an Advisory Committee member and consisting of Advisory Committee members, Young Architect Representatives, and other appointed members. Each focus group facilitates interaction with the other focus groups to provide comprehensive support to the initiatives of the YAF. These six areas are: Past Chair Initiative, Communications, Community, Knowledge, Strategic Vision, and Advocacy.

The YAF state Representatives are the primary connection between local AIA chapters and the national YAF Advisory Committee and communicates information to local emerging professionals groups. The Representative contributes to the direction and planning of the YAF by participating in the YAF Annual Meeting, attending YAF full committee conference calls, and working with the advisory committee on various national issues through participation in at least one focus group. The state Representative is a two-year position and time commitment will depend on focus group and established committee goals.

Are you interested in serving on the YAF? Please reach out to Heather at hwilson@aiaoregon.org by October 15, expressing why you are interested in serving on the YAF and where you are in your path in relation to licensure (must be licensed 10 years or less).

Message from the AIAO President

Kaley Fought, AIA
AIAO President

If you’re like myself, and many of the members I’ve met in my first year of this Presidential term, you have been very busy this summer. I hope that you’ve been able to work on exciting projects (hoping to see some of them in the 2022 Oregon Architecture Awards!), find some fun away from the office (like attending one of our concerts at the Moda Center with other members from around the state), or perhaps just taking it easy and getting to know new friends – maybe by attending one of the section picnics like I did in Portland and Salem.

However you chose to spend it, our lovely Oregon summer is coming to an end. However, this transition marks the beginning of a fabulous fall season of events here at AIA Oregon. If you haven’t heard, we are seeking nominees to the Board of Directors (I’ve heard the President is fun to work with!) and we are finalizing the makeup of our New HQ Task Force. We are assembling a group of volunteer members representing leadership and fresh ideas who will guide the discussion around finding AIA Oregon’s next ‘home’. The next Board of Directors will work closely with this team and will have the final responsibility of seeing the solution through to completion, which will be very exciting for those who want to step into that challenge with our ongoing board leadership.

We are also looking forward to the Chris White Memorial Golf Tournament on September 29 at Langdon Farms, and of course, getting together to celebrate the OAA awards - which include Professional Achievement Awards – at the Portland Art Museum on November 18. Our Sections will finish the year with their own annual holiday get-togethers, as I am sure you all will in your offices as well. Please remember the Moda Center is available throughout the Portland Trailblazers season for you to take advantage of for your own events as individual or firm members. Reach out to staff to learn more about that.

We have plenty more to accomplish before the end of the year. Students are back to school, and the energy around getting back together in person is palpable. We hope to see you at any (or ALL!) of these upcoming events and as always, we are here to answer your questions about any of them. Please feel free to reach out to me directly with questions and feedback – I am pleased to have the opportunity to hear from you and look forward to continuing to serve as your President as we draw 2022 to a close and plan for a very exciting 2023.

Looking forward to connection with you soon,

Kaley Fought, AIA