AIA Colorado Spearheads New Organizational Model
Denver, CO (PRWEB) April 22, 2014 -- With the rise of the information economy, organizations across America are being asked by members and other stakeholders to streamline operations and do more with less. Culling from best practices in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, The American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Colorado today announced the merger of its state chapter and four local chapters into a single entity, AIA Colorado. “This restructuring will cut administrative red tape and free up human capital,” said Cathy Rosset, executive vice president and CEO of AIA Colorado, “allowing us to focus more robust resources on outreach, advocacy and knowledge—both locally and statewide.”
Having hosted the 2013 AIA National Convention in Denver, AIA Colorado is leveraging that leadership momentum to establish an example for best practices nationwide. The move is part and parcel of the national AIA Repositioning Initiative, and AIA Colorado is being viewed as a proving ground for this innovative new approach: “Realigning our own professional culture is the best hope we have to build a preferred future,” said Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA, 2014 AIA National president. “And that means being open to change.” Other AIA components around the country are calling on AIA Colorado as they explore similar business models within their own states.
The repositioning is aimed at engaging wider audiences, including future architects, clients and governing entities, advocating for public policy that affects the profession of architecture and the spheres in which architects practice, and advancing a culture of education and innovation. And it does not end with this restructuring. Through a newly established Programs Evaluation Committee, more than 200 programs and services are undergoing rigorous review to determine how best to ensure their impact on the common goals identified as most important to members. “These days people are less interested in sitting on committees just for social reasons,” said Harvey Hine, AIA, president of AIA Colorado North. “They want their efforts to have real-world impact.”
The merger promises to provide greater benefit to AIA Colorado’s diverse membership of architects, engineers, contractors and other leaders in the built environment. Local chapters (now designated as sections) will maintain their identity and programming according to regional needs, but will be empowered with greater resources to do so. Member volunteers and staff will focus less on governance and more on big ideas: “We believe board meetings should be strategic in nature and not managerial,” said Chris Green, FAIA, a past president of both AIA Colorado West and AIA Colorado. “Now we can concentrate on what really matters, on moonshots: eliminating blight, stabilizing energy, reducing water waste…”
“There’s a palpable sense of energy across the state,” said Timothy J. Stroh, AIA, president of AIA Colorado South. “Through the repositioning, I think we’ve found that next gear.” It is a sentiment shared by Kevin Eronimous, AIA, 2014 president of the AIA Colorado Board of Directors: “We’re seeing greater involvement from emerging professionals and experienced practitioners alike,” Eronimous said. “It’s an exciting time to be a part of the AIA.”
About AIA Colorado
For more than 150 years, members of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge and tools to create better design, and through such resources and access, they help clients and communities make their visions real. With more than 2,500 members, AIA Colorado’s mission is to be the voice of the architectural profession and the primary resource for its members. AIA Colorado inspires members to be leaders in a quality built environment. Visit http://www.aiacolorado.org.
--
Media Contacts:
Alaina Gonzales
AIA Colorado
303 E. 17th Ave., Ste. 110
Denver, CO 80203
303.446.2266 x 116
alaina(at)aiacolorado(dot)org
http://www.aiacolorado.org
David Scott
CONTENT Public Relations
david(at)ContentUniversal(dot)com
720.371.9164
###
David Scott, CONTENT Public Relations, http://www.contentuniversal.com, +1 720.371.9164, [email protected]
Share this article