AIAO Small Firms Exchange - Representative Update

Our Small Firms Exchange Representative, Jennifer Wright, AIA gives us this AIA SFx resource update:

How to kickstart sustainable practices within your firm’s design process

This April the AIA SFx meeting hosted two architects, Nate Kipnis, FAIA and Bruce Fallon, AIA, who discussed the importance of firms designing buildings that not only look good, but perform well. They shared resources to tame the overwhelm some small firms feel when taking on the AIA 2030 Commitment and championed finding just one thing that can be implemented to lead to bigger lasting change.

AFO Volunteer Opportunities

Below is the May 2024 roundup of opportunities for design and building professionals to volunteer with AFO and other youth and community organizations. You can also access the list online, here.

Sign up, share the list far and wide, and encourage more folks to join AFO’s volunteer network! As you can see, there is high demand for design and building professionals to share their expertise with the community. The larger we can grow our network, the more we’ll be able to meet this demand. Thank you for working with us to increase access to design education across the state!

AFO Opportunities

Architects in Schools Student Exhibits - Portland | May 4-20

Support AiS exhibit set up, take down, or reception night events. Shifts available throughout May at various locations around the Portland Metro area. Learn more & sign up by May 10 | Main Contact: Sam Majors

Design Advocacy Outreach Group (DAO-G) - Virtual | June 4

Join AFO and community partners for quarterly meetings to increase student access to AEC fields in Oregon. Tuesday, June 4, 12-1pm, Zoom. Register | Main Contact: Candice Agahan

Architects in Schools Student Exhibits - Bend | June 6-8

Support AiS exhibit set up, take down, or reception night event. Shifts available June 6-8, Tower Theatre, Bend. Learn more & sign up by May 18 | Main Contact: Sam Majors

Architects in Schools Summer Camp - Virtual | June 24-28

Support youth ages 8-12 as they use adaptive reuse practices to redesign a structure for their community. Volunteer for up to 5 sessions. Learn more & sign up by Jun 14 | Main Contact: Sam Majors

Youth Partner Opportunities

Saturday Academy Youth Programs - Portland

Saturday Academy is seeking volunteers to help prepare supplies for summer programming. Shifts available throughout spring and summer, University of Portland. Learn more & sign up ASAP | Main Contact: Josh at Saturday Academy

Oregon MESA Day 2024 - Portland & Virtual

Oregon MESA is seeking volunteers for their biggest event of the year serving middle school-college students. Shifts available May 7-17, virtual and in Portland. Learn more & sign up by May 13 | Main Contact: Valentina London

NOMA PDX Project Pipeline Architecture Summer Camp - Portland

NOMA PDX is seeking mentors to guide students as they develop skills to contribute to their community. June 20-22, 9am-3pm, PCC Opportunity Center, Portland. Learn more & sign up by May 27 | Main Contact: Michelle Schulz

Event/Professional Opportunities

Saturday Academy Spring Gala - Portland

Saturday Academy is seeking volunteers to support set up and event night tasks for their Spring Gala. Shifts available May 13-17, University of Portland. Learn more & sign up ASAP | Main Contact: Josh at Saturday Academy

Depave Community Event - Portland

Depave is seeking volunteers for their community depave event of the year. June 22, 9am-1pm, Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, Portland. Learn more | Sign up ASAP | Main Contact: Katherine Rose

Energy Trust of Oregon Net Zero Emerging Leaders Internship Grant - OR

Grants support the design of high-performance net zero buildings. Architecture and engineering firms are invited to apply to host student or recent graduate interns. Learn more & sign up by June 14 | Main Contact: Naomi Cole

Taking Ownership PDX - Portland

Taking Ownership PDX revives Black-owned homes to deflect the gentrification process. They seek volunteers to engage in community and renovation work. Learn more | Sign up | Main Contact

AIA Oregon's New Membership Recruitment and Retention Manager

AIA Oregon is pleased to announce our newest team member, Paul Davis!

Hi, I'm Paul Davis, AIAO's Membership Recruitment and Retention Manager!  With eight years of relevant experience working as a designer, project manager, and marketing advisor to small businesses I'm excited to help take AIAO to a even higher level of quality for our members. 

My superpower? Turning vague ideas into concrete wins, and in the process pushing organizations toward growth. At work, I like to think of myself as a dynamo, using my mix of skills and experience, open communication, and '1% better every day' motto to inspire the teams I'm a part of to do the best they can. My awards?  Excellence in photography from ONPA, excellence in writing from ONPA, and excellence in App Design from DesignRush. What am I most excited to do at AIAO? Introducing architecture to the next generation of architects by developing coursework for Oregon students.

When I'm not at the office, you'll find me training for criterium races (bike racing on a circuit), climbing (I can't wait to visit Smith Rock State Park after ODC), or geeking out over coffee brewing techniques ( my personal favorite is siphon brewing). I can't wait to meet all of you at ODC and online in any of our amazing online sessions.  Feel free to touch base with me via email.