I have all but decided to abandon my AIA membership due to the additional membership fees of having my own practice. The fees are already steep enough without an extra $140 per person (including myself, no matter the license or membership status of others) tacked on by the Louisiana state chapter. Especially here in my first year of solo practice, the regular dues are already more than some of my software and office equipment costs, never mind the supplemental bullshit. There's absolutely no way I could afford it this year if I had employees.
It's ridiculous that a firm owner, to be an AIA member as an individual, has to pay a supplemental fee for their employees, even if the employees are already AIA members or if they aren't professionals.
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Caleb Hicks
Humphreys & Partners Architects LLC
New Orleans LA
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-05-2019 19:25
From: Brian Viehland
Subject: Dues and supplemental fees
Just got my AIA Renewal paperwork today. Why in the world am I being told to pay an extra $70 because I'm a freelance architect!? I already pay almost $800 a year to fund the admin-heavy organization that doesn't seem to do much for me, but because I'm self-employed I have to pay an extra $70!? Why? What possible excuse could the AIA come up with as to why independent architects have to pay more than those employed by others? How does this help the profession or the professional? I could get behind large firms with dozens of staff having to pay to cover non-licensed people under their umbrella, but I am my entire company and see no reason to pay this added extortionate fee. Are all the independent architects paying this, or are you skipping that and just saying you aren't a sole proprietor?
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Brian Viehland AIA
Principal Architect
Design on the Square
Rowland Heights CA
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