One of the frustrating things about this discussion is that it is not looking at AIA holistically. I too, have a small practice. I have been extremely involved at AIA at ever level, including serving as a national board member and Vice President. I can honestly say that the AIA represents all practicioners.
On the local level, my chapter has helped raised the profile of the profession through their partnership with other groups, including the local, suburban newspaper. They also help me meet my state's continuing education requirements and keep my transcript for me, in case I am ever audited.
On the state level, they have effectively lobbied against laws that would harm my practice, such as Interior Design Practice Acts and harmful worker's comp laws. They have passed Good Samaretian Laws and kept our license fees reasonable and directed toward illegal practice enforcement efforts.
Nationally, while it is certainly harder to relate to (much like the Federal Government), I know about the AIA's PR efforts to support all practicioners, with a special effort on small practicioners. The AIA Billings Survey is regularly quoted in places like CNBC and the Wall Street Journal as a precursor to economic activity.
My experience in working with Knowledge Communities outside of my area of specialty has literally changed the way I practice so I now give a more compelling offering to my clients, allowing me to win new business. I am particularly excited about the partnership with the National Institute of Building Sciences in making research more available to members.
Two years ago, things were very tough in my practice. I had to ask for, and recieved, an adjustment in my dues so I could remain a member. This was not an easy thing for me to do, since i was appealing to people who knew me. In the end, it was not a problem. The leadership would rather grant you dues relief than see you give up your membership.
The AIA is its members. Someone once said that it is like a health club you join to lose weight. If you join and don't go work out, you don't have results. If you go and take advantage of what is offered, you will succeed.
Finally, I don't know Brian Lipse, but I do know Kermit Baker. Sending him correspondence will not get a response, as he is the AIA's contract economist. In the case of California, I would highly recommend calling Paul Welch, California Council Executive Vice President. No one can explain AIA better than he can, as he was the Interim EVP of National before Robert Ivy, FAIA came on board.
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Walter Hainsfurther FAIA
Kurtz Associates Architects
Des Plaines IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-28-2013 22:52
From: Christopher Turley
Subject: AIA Dues Not Aligned with the Small Firm Practitioner
Between my father and myself we have been AIA members since the 60s. Sadly, I decided that I will not renew this year and will instead invest the dues into business development. I hope that AIA gets the message that talk about supporting the unique needs of small projects is not enough, action with results is what is needed. Then I will rejoin.
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Christopher Turley AIA
President
Turley Architects
Highland Park IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-27-2013 09:20
From: George Jennings
Subject: AIA Dues Not Aligned with the Small Firm Practitioner
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George Jennings AIA
G Booker 3
Tappahannock VA
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For the reasons so eloquently presented previously on the subject of AIA dues, I will not renew my membership again; unless of course there is a restructuring of the dues.
Original Message:
Sent: 03-25-2013 11:44
From: John Crowell
Subject: AIA Dues Not Aligned with the Small Firm Practitioner
I cannot agree more to what I believe is a well written letter. I was an AIA member from 1990 to 2010. When the local dues are added to the national dues, it is simply to expensive for me to justify!
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John Crowell
Deer Hill Architects, LLC
Peabody MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2013 23:00
From: Leslie LeBon
Subject: AIA Dues Not Aligned with the Small Firm Practitioner
This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Diversity and Inclusion and Small Project Practitioners .
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Dear President Jacob,
I've been an AIA member since 1982, starting as a UC Berkeley student member. When I graduated in 1984, I continued my membership as an Associate and then turned into a full member once I became licensed. There may have been a year or two that my membership lapsed due to affordability but I always renewed when I could because I always believed in the AIA. I have also served my local chapter (Orange County) and State chapter, in various positions over the years.
I am one of the majority of architects in this nation, a small firm proprietor. While the economy has struggled since 2007 and thousands of architects have been laid off or downsized, my practice has managed to keep me afloat enough to (barely) make ends meet. And while salaries and wages have diminished, AIA dues have significantly increased.
When I received the invoice for the 2013 dues renewal and noted the fees of $848, I realized the AIA, which is an organization that is supposed to help architects, had become unaffordable. At the same time, at the local level, the once vibrant Orange County chapter is on the brink of folding having downsized due to its loss of members. The fees have become exorbitant and as a result, this has created an elitist organization comprised primarily of big firm architects. As an MBA and business owner, I know that you don't raise rates when no one is buying; but that is exactly what the AIA has been doing. It's bad economics and it's bad policy.
I lead a forum of small firm architects in my city of Laguna Beach, and I know that the AIA has lost a significant amount of members much like myself, those that perhaps need the organization the most. Their reason: they don't believe they are getting what they pay for. In the parlance of economics, costs are trumping benefits.
I know the AIA in the past has offered a one-time discount for those that can't afford the annual dues, but that is simply not enough. To gain membership, the AIA needs to restructure dues to accommodate the small firm practitioner. Only then, will the AIA see an increase in membership and be able to grow into the helpful organization it once was, serving architects at all levels.
I hope that the AIA will rethink its membership fee structure and make the organization more accessible to the very backbone of the AIA, the small firm architects.
Sincerely,
Leslie W. LeBon, AIA
(Note: this letter was also sent to AIA National - Bryan Lipps and Kermit Baker. So far only Bryan Lipps responded)
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Leslie LeBon AIA
Laguna Beach CA
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