Committee on the Environment

Nadav Malin's op-ed describes the issue pretty well:  The AIA is reinventing itself into a political activist organization… a community organizer bent on forcing fashionable points-of-view on their members.  And he's right, most members don't even know it's happening.  

I miss the AIA that served all members, not just those of a particular political persuasion.  I am offended by being clumped in with "our membership" that blithely accepts the askew positions that dictate where we stand. 

Of the eight official AIA Values, arguably, only three or four have anything to do with architecture.  The others are simply leftist-prescribed talking points.  Political fashion of the day.  Please decide if the following "values" come from Bernie Sander's platform or the AIA: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Climate Change
• Immigration
• Sexual Harassment 

Professionals know how to behave professionally without being mothered by their organization.  Check out the values of our fellow professional organizations, the NSPE, ABA, and AMA.  Do they lecture their members on political correctness?  No!  They focus on providing pertinent resources. 

The AIA has become an embarrassment to the real professionals who are still members.  I fear that unless the leadership becomes as diverse in thought as they are in gender and race, it's only going to get worse.

Nadav Malin's op-ed describes the issue pretty well:  The AIA is reinventing itself into a political activist organization… a community organizer bent on forcing fashionable points-of-view on their members.  And he's right, most members don't even know it's happening.  

I miss the AIA that served all members, not just those of a particular political persuasion.  I am offended by being clumped in with "our membership" that blithely accepts the askew positions that dictate where we stand. 

Of the eight official AIA Values, arguably, only three or four have anything to do with architecture.  The others are simply leftist-prescribed talking points.  Political fashion of the day.  Please decide if the following "values" come from Bernie Sander's platform or the AIA: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Climate Change
• Immigration
• Sexual Harassment 

Professionals know how to behave professionally without being mothered by their organization.  Check out the values of our fellow professional organizations, the NSPE, ABA, and AMA.  Do they lecture their members on political correctness?  No!  They focus on providing pertinent resources. 

The AIA has become an embarrassment to the real professionals who are still members.  I fear that unless the leadership becomes as diverse in thought as they are in gender and race, it's only going to get worse.

Nadav Malin's op-ed describes the issue pretty well:  The AIA is reinventing itself into a political activist organization… a community organizer bent on forcing fashionable points-of-view on their members.  And he's right, most members don't even know it's happening.  

I miss the AIA that served all members, not just those of a particular political persuasion.  I am offended by being clumped in with "our membership" that blithely accepts the askew positions that dictate where we stand. 

Of the eight official AIA Values, arguably, only three or four have anything to do with architecture.  The others are simply leftist-prescribed talking points.  Political fashion of the day.  Please decide if the following "values" come from Bernie Sander's platform or the AIA: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Climate Change
• Immigration
• Sexual Harassment 

Professionals know how to behave professionally without being mothered by their organization.  Check out the values of our fellow professional organizations, the NSPE, ABA, and AMA.  Do they lecture their members on political correctness?  No!  They focus on providing pertinent resources. 

The AIA has become an embarrassment to the real professionals who are still members.  I fear that unless the leadership becomes as diverse in thought as they are in gender and race, it's only going to get worse.

Nadav Malin's op-ed describes the issue pretty well:  The AIA is reinventing itself into a political activist organization… a community organizer bent on forcing fashionable points-of-view on their members.  And he's right, most members don't even know it's happening.  

I miss the AIA that served all members, not just those of a particular political persuasion.  I am offended by being clumped in with "our membership" that blithely accepts the askew positions that dictate where we stand. 

Of the eight official AIA Values, arguably, only three or four have anything to do with architecture.  The others are simply leftist-prescribed talking points.  Political fashion of the day.  Please decide if the following "values" come from Bernie Sander's platform or the AIA: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Climate Change
• Immigration
• Sexual Harassment 

Professionals know how to behave professionally without being mothered by their organization.  Check out the values of our fellow professional organizations, the NSPE, ABA, and AMA.  Do they lecture their members on political correctness?  No!  They focus on providing pertinent resources. 

The AIA has become an embarrassment to the real professionals who are still members.  I fear that unless the leadership becomes as diverse in thought as they are in gender and race, it's only going to get worse.

Nadav Malin's op-ed describes the issue pretty well:  The AIA is reinventing itself into a political activist organization… a community organizer bent on forcing fashionable points-of-view on their members.  And he's right, most members don't even know it's happening.  

I miss the AIA that served all members, not just those of a particular political persuasion.  I am offended by being clumped in with "our membership" that blithely accepts the askew positions that dictate where we stand. 

Of the eight official AIA Values, arguably, only three or four have anything to do with architecture.  The others are simply leftist-prescribed talking points.  Political fashion of the day.  Please decide if the following "values" come from Bernie Sander's platform or the AIA: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Climate Change
• Immigration
• Sexual Harassment 

Professionals know how to behave professionally without being mothered by their organization.  Check out the values of our fellow professional organizations, the NSPE, ABA, and AMA.  Do they lecture their members on political correctness?  No!  They focus on providing pertinent resources. 

The AIA has become an embarrassment to the real professionals who are still members.  I fear that unless the leadership becomes as diverse in thought as they are in gender and race, it's only going to get worse.

Nadav Malin's op-ed describes the issue pretty well:  The AIA is reinventing itself into a political activist organization… a community organizer bent on forcing fashionable points-of-view on their members.  And he's right, most members don't even know it's happening.  

I miss the AIA that served all members, not just those of a particular political persuasion.  I am offended by being clumped in with "our membership" that blithely accepts the askew positions that dictate where we stand. 

Of the eight official AIA Values, arguably, only three or four have anything to do with architecture.  The others are simply leftist-prescribed talking points.  Political fashion of the day.  Please decide if the following "values" come from Bernie Sander's platform or the AIA: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Climate Change
• Immigration
• Sexual Harassment 

Professionals know how to behave professionally without being mothered by their organization.  Check out the values of our fellow professional organizations, the NSPE, ABA, and AMA.  Do they lecture their members on political correctness?  No!  They focus on providing pertinent resources. 

The AIA has become an embarrassment to the real professionals who are still members.  I fear that unless the leadership becomes as diverse in thought as they are in gender and race, it's only going to get worse.

Nadav Malin's op-ed describes the issue pretty well:  The AIA is reinventing itself into a political activist organization… a community organizer bent on forcing fashionable points-of-view on their members.  And he's right, most members don't even know it's happening.  

I miss the AIA that served all members, not just those of a particular political persuasion.  I am offended by being clumped in with "our membership" that blithely accepts the askew positions that dictate where we stand. 

Of the eight official AIA Values, arguably, only three or four have anything to do with architecture.  The others are simply leftist-prescribed talking points.  Political fashion of the day.  Please decide if the following "values" come from Bernie Sander's platform or the AIA: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Climate Change
• Immigration
• Sexual Harassment 

Professionals know how to behave professionally without being mothered by their organization.  Check out the values of our fellow professional organizations, the NSPE, ABA, and AMA.  Do they lecture their members on political correctness?  No!  They focus on providing pertinent resources. 

The AIA has become an embarrassment to the real professionals who are still members.  I fear that unless the leadership becomes as diverse in thought as they are in gender and race, it's only going to get worse.

Nadav Malin's op-ed describes the issue pretty well:  The AIA is reinventing itself into a political activist organization… a community organizer bent on forcing fashionable points-of-view on their members.  And he's right, most members don't even know it's happening.  

I miss the AIA that served all members, not just those of a particular political persuasion.  I am offended by being clumped in with "our membership" that blithely accepts the askew positions that dictate where we stand. 

Of the eight official AIA Values, arguably, only three or four have anything to do with architecture.  The others are simply leftist-prescribed talking points.  Political fashion of the day.  Please decide if the following "values" come from Bernie Sander's platform or the AIA: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Climate Change
• Immigration
• Sexual Harassment 

Professionals know how to behave professionally without being mothered by their organization.  Check out the values of our fellow professional organizations, the NSPE, ABA, and AMA.  Do they lecture their members on political correctness?  No!  They focus on providing pertinent resources. 

The AIA has become an embarrassment to the real professionals who are still members.  I fear that unless the leadership becomes as diverse in thought as they are in gender and race, it's only going to get worse.

Nadav Malin's op-ed describes the issue pretty well:  The AIA is reinventing itself into a political activist organization… a community organizer bent on forcing fashionable points-of-view on their members.  And he's right, most members don't even know it's happening.  

I miss the AIA that served all members, not just those of a particular political persuasion.  I am offended by being clumped in with "our membership" that blithely accepts the askew positions that dictate where we stand. 

Of the eight official AIA Values, arguably, only three or four have anything to do with architecture.  The others are simply leftist-prescribed talking points.  Political fashion of the day.  Please decide if the following "values" come from Bernie Sander's platform or the AIA: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Climate Change
• Immigration
• Sexual Harassment 

Professionals know how to behave professionally without being mothered by their organization.  Check out the values of our fellow professional organizations, the NSPE, ABA, and AMA.  Do they lecture their members on political correctness?  No!  They focus on providing pertinent resources. 

The AIA has become an embarrassment to the real professionals who are still members.  I fear that unless the leadership becomes as diverse in thought as they are in gender and race, it's only going to get worse.

Nadav Malin's op-ed describes the issue pretty well:  The AIA is reinventing itself into a political activist organization… a community organizer bent on forcing fashionable points-of-view on their members.  And he's right, most members don't even know it's happening.  

I miss the AIA that served all members, not just those of a particular political persuasion.  I am offended by being clumped in with "our membership" that blithely accepts the askew positions that dictate where we stand. 

Of the eight official AIA Values, arguably, only three or four have anything to do with architecture.  The others are simply leftist-prescribed talking points.  Political fashion of the day.  Please decide if the following "values" come from Bernie Sander's platform or the AIA: 

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Climate Change
• Immigration
• Sexual Harassment 

Professionals know how to behave professionally without being mothered by their organization.  Check out the values of our fellow professional organizations, the NSPE, ABA, and AMA.  Do they lecture their members on political correctness?  No!  They focus on providing pertinent resources. 

The AIA has become an embarrassment to the real professionals who are still members.  I fear that unless the leadership becomes as diverse in thought as they are in gender and race, it's only going to get worse.

When, in 1999, I was an idealistic young architect just back to Boston from five years on the West Coast, I was excited to attend a meeting of the local AIA chapter's committee on K12 Education, thinking I would be hearing about the latest concepts in educational facilities design -- perhaps new ideas about interactive learning spaces, or the effect of daylight on the developing brain. Instead, I was treated to the sight of a group of grumpy old men, scheming about how to lobby the state house to increase construction budgets in public school spending (read, architectural scope and fees). Yes, this was the AIA as a "professional organization" at the dawn of the new millenium. OK, so maybe everyone has to grow up someday, and idealism eventually gives way to the Realities of the World. And, yes, there is a place for Business and a place for Architecture as a business. (Hooray for Business, and Hooray for Architecture!!)
But that is precisely why -- HOORAY -- the AIA is to be applauded for at long last acknowledging and EMBRACING the idealism and hopes of the vast majority of its members who want to stand, as architects, for doing the right thing for its own sake sometimes, not just always for trying to make ends meet, or fill out their portfolio with beautiful images of their designs.
True, not every member of the AIA will want to be part of THIS particular effort. But, I hate to say it, the AIA is not the same as the license to practice architecture. It is a private, non-profit, membership-based organization. For those of us who have paid our dues for literally decades with a lot of ambivalence about belonging to an organization that seems more concerned with not ruffling the feathers of anyone in power than truly advocating for evidence-based values (let me repeat that: EVIDENCE BASED values, this is not religion) and a profession we can be proud of, I say, "Congratulations to us!" And THANK YOU to all of those who have been working hard for all these decades to make our leading professional organization into a beacon of light rather than a smoky back room.

Very good comments. Captures my experiences well, too.  Thanks for adding this to the dialogs.

Sherman

Sherman C. Aronson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C Senior Associate

1216 Arch Street Philadelphia,  PA   19107‑2835 Tel: 215 563 3900 Ext: 124 www.BLTa.com

NOTICE THIS E-MAIL, INCLUDING ANY ATTACHMENTS, IS CONFIDENTIAL AND FOR THE INTENDED RECIPIENT ONLY. IT MAY BE LEGALLY PRIVILEGED AND PROTECTED FROM DISCLOSURE. NOTHING IN THIS E-MAIL GRANTS ANY LICENSE OR TRANSFERS ANY OWNERSHIP OR ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS TO THE RECIPIENT. IF THE READER OF THIS MESSAGE IS NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE INFORMED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, COPYING OR DISCLOSURE OF THE MATERIAL CONTAINED HEREIN, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION IN ERROR, OR ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY AND PURGE THIS MESSAGE. INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED TO BE SECURE, VIRUS-FREE OR ERROR FREE. BLT ARCHITECTS ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE FROM THE USE OF THIS E-MAIL.

When, in 1999, I was an idealistic young architect just back to Boston from five years on the West Coast, I was excited to attend a meeting of the local AIA chapter's committee on K12 Education, thinking I would be hearing about the latest concepts in educational facilities design -- perhaps new ideas about interactive learning spaces, or the effect of daylight on the developing brain. Instead, I was treated to the sight of a group of grumpy old men, scheming about how to lobby the state house to increase construction budgets in public school spending (read, architectural scope and fees). Yes, this was the AIA as a "professional organization" at the dawn of the new millenium. OK, so maybe everyone has to grow up someday, and idealism eventually gives way to the Realities of the World. And, yes, there is a place for Business and a place for Architecture as a business. (Hooray for Business, and Hooray for Architecture!!)
But that is precisely why -- HOORAY -- the AIA is to be applauded for at long last acknowledging and EMBRACING the idealism and hopes of the vast majority of its members who want to stand, as architects, for doing the right thing for its own sake sometimes, not just always for trying to make ends meet, or fill out their portfolio with beautiful images of their designs.
True, not every member of the AIA will want to be part of THIS particular effort. But, I hate to say it, the AIA is not the same as the license to practice architecture. It is a private, non-profit, membership-based organization. For those of us who have paid our dues for literally decades with a lot of ambivalence about belonging to an organization that seems more concerned with not ruffling the feathers of anyone in power than truly advocating for evidence-based values (let me repeat that: EVIDENCE BASED values, this is not religion) and a profession we can be proud of, I say, "Congratulations to us!" And THANK YOU to all of those who have been working hard for all these decades to make our leading professional organization into a beacon of light rather than a smoky back room.

Very good comments. Captures my experiences well, too.  Thanks for adding this to the dialogs.

Sherman

Sherman C. Aronson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C Senior Associate

1216 Arch Street Philadelphia,  PA   19107‑2835 Tel: 215 563 3900 Ext: 124 www.BLTa.com

NOTICE THIS E-MAIL, INCLUDING ANY ATTACHMENTS, IS CONFIDENTIAL AND FOR THE INTENDED RECIPIENT ONLY. IT MAY BE LEGALLY PRIVILEGED AND PROTECTED FROM DISCLOSURE. NOTHING IN THIS E-MAIL GRANTS ANY LICENSE OR TRANSFERS ANY OWNERSHIP OR ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS TO THE RECIPIENT. IF THE READER OF THIS MESSAGE IS NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE INFORMED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, COPYING OR DISCLOSURE OF THE MATERIAL CONTAINED HEREIN, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION IN ERROR, OR ARE NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, PLEASE NOTIFY THE SENDER IMMEDIATELY AND PURGE THIS MESSAGE. INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED TO BE SECURE, VIRUS-FREE OR ERROR FREE. BLT ARCHITECTS ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE FROM THE USE OF THIS E-MAIL.

When, in 1999, I was an idealistic young architect just back to Boston from five years on the West Coast, I was excited to attend a meeting of the local AIA chapter's committee on K12 Education, thinking I would be hearing about the latest concepts in educational facilities design -- perhaps new ideas about interactive learning spaces, or the effect of daylight on the developing brain. Instead, I was treated to the sight of a group of grumpy old men, scheming about how to lobby the state house to increase construction budgets in public school spending (read, architectural scope and fees). Yes, this was the AIA as a "professional organization" at the dawn of the new millenium. OK, so maybe everyone has to grow up someday, and idealism eventually gives way to the Realities of the World. And, yes, there is a place for Business and a place for Architecture as a business. (Hooray for Business, and Hooray for Architecture!!)
But that is precisely why -- HOORAY -- the AIA is to be applauded for at long last acknowledging and EMBRACING the idealism and hopes of the vast majority of its members who want to stand, as architects, for doing the right thing for its own sake sometimes, not just always for trying to make ends meet, or fill out their portfolio with beautiful images of their designs.
True, not every member of the AIA will want to be part of THIS particular effort. But, I hate to say it, the AIA is not the same as the license to practice architecture. It is a private, non-profit, membership-based organization. For those of us who have paid our dues for literally decades with a lot of ambivalence about belonging to an organization that seems more concerned with not ruffling the feathers of anyone in power than truly advocating for evidence-based values (let me repeat that: EVIDENCE BASED values, this is not religion) and a profession we can be proud of, I say, "Congratulations to us!" And THANK YOU to all of those who have been working hard for all these decades to make our leading professional organization into a beacon of light rather than a smoky back room.

When, in 1999, I was an idealistic young architect just back to Boston from five years on the West Coast, I was excited to attend a meeting of the local AIA chapter's committee on K12 Education, thinking I would be hearing about the latest concepts in educational facilities design -- perhaps new ideas about interactive learning spaces, or the effect of daylight on the developing brain. Instead, I was treated to the sight of a group of grumpy old men, scheming about how to lobby the state house to increase construction budgets in public school spending (read, architectural scope and fees). Yes, this was the AIA as a "professional organization" at the dawn of the new millenium. OK, so maybe everyone has to grow up someday, and idealism eventually gives way to the Realities of the World. And, yes, there is a place for Business and a place for Architecture as a business. (Hooray for Business, and Hooray for Architecture!!)
But that is precisely why -- HOORAY -- the AIA is to be applauded for at long last acknowledging and EMBRACING the idealism and hopes of the vast majority of its members who want to stand, as architects, for doing the right thing for its own sake sometimes, not just always for trying to make ends meet, or fill out their portfolio with beautiful images of their designs.
True, not every member of the AIA will want to be part of THIS particular effort. But, I hate to say it, the AIA is not the same as the license to practice architecture. It is a private, non-profit, membership-based organization. For those of us who have paid our dues for literally decades with a lot of ambivalence about belonging to an organization that seems more concerned with not ruffling the feathers of anyone in power than truly advocating for evidence-based values (let me repeat that: EVIDENCE BASED values, this is not religion) and a profession we can be proud of, I say, "Congratulations to us!" And THANK YOU to all of those who have been working hard for all these decades to make our leading professional organization into a beacon of light rather than a smoky back room.

When, in 1999, I was an idealistic young architect just back to Boston from five years on the West Coast, I was excited to attend a meeting of the local AIA chapter's committee on K12 Education, thinking I would be hearing about the latest concepts in educational facilities design -- perhaps new ideas about interactive learning spaces, or the effect of daylight on the developing brain. Instead, I was treated to the sight of a group of grumpy old men, scheming about how to lobby the state house to increase construction budgets in public school spending (read, architectural scope and fees). Yes, this was the AIA as a "professional organization" at the dawn of the new millenium. OK, so maybe everyone has to grow up someday, and idealism eventually gives way to the Realities of the World. And, yes, there is a place for Business and a place for Architecture as a business. (Hooray for Business, and Hooray for Architecture!!)
But that is precisely why -- HOORAY -- the AIA is to be applauded for at long last acknowledging and EMBRACING the idealism and hopes of the vast majority of its members who want to stand, as architects, for doing the right thing for its own sake sometimes, not just always for trying to make ends meet, or fill out their portfolio with beautiful images of their designs.
True, not every member of the AIA will want to be part of THIS particular effort. But, I hate to say it, the AIA is not the same as the license to practice architecture. It is a private, non-profit, membership-based organization. For those of us who have paid our dues for literally decades with a lot of ambivalence about belonging to an organization that seems more concerned with not ruffling the feathers of anyone in power than truly advocating for evidence-based values (let me repeat that: EVIDENCE BASED values, this is not religion) and a profession we can be proud of, I say, "Congratulations to us!" And THANK YOU to all of those who have been working hard for all these decades to make our leading professional organization into a beacon of light rather than a smoky back room.