Directory - Triangle Modernist Houses

2OO9 president'smessageNo one can deny that 2OO9 was a difficult year, to say the least. Many changes occurred in our profession,our businesses and our personal lives. As difficult as some of these changes were, I still believe that ourprofession will arrive at the end of this recession (whenever that may be) with smarter business plans, arenewed understanding of the depth of our reach, and a continued passion for exceptional design!As architects, however, we cannot take our eye off the ball: the future of our profession! Our role, asdesign professionals, has always been to envision a better future filled with imagination and unlimitedpossibilities. We cannot allow external forces to craft our personal or professional futures in these tryingtimes. We must continue to lead.In order to help us meet our potential, AIA North Carolina is working very hard, continuing to advancearchitects and our profession as leaders in this state and around the nation. Many of you may not evenrealize some of the great strides that AIANC has made for you in 2009. I would like to share just a few of the successes with you,and I encourage you to look even deeper into our organization to find where AIANC can benefit you.TEADERSHIP; AIA North Carolina has been and continues to be a leader among other components - Our state ranks fourth inthe country with the number of block delegate votes that we carry to the floor of the national convention. This year I learnedfirst-hand how important these votes are when it comes to transforming our profession for the better. Additionally, AIANC wasthe first component in the nation to sign and agree to support the Gateway Commitment - the national diversity statementwhich promotes greater representation of women, minorities, and GLBT members; a cultural ethos of inclusiveness: andmentorship for budding architects-to-be. Besides being the right thing to do, it promotes the profession's sustajnability.CONTINUING EDUCAIION. At Grassroots 2OO9, AIANC received a Component Excellence Award for an "Outstanding OverallProgram" for our Continuing Education Academy. Our cEA provides more relevant continuing education hours for its membersthan any other component. The CE committee, under Director John Wojciechowski's leadership, works tirelessly all year long toensure relevant programs and a diversity of high-quality presentations.LEGISLATIVE ACTIO^/ Legislatively, AIANc and its members are extremely well-respected and valued by our political leaders.We fought several tough battles this year (including getting chapter ll of the lBc approved!) and expeci to continue to work formany new issues for 201O. Legislative Day 2OOg was an absolute success, with more than 75 architects & professionals comingto Raleigh to meet with legislators. I cannot tell you enough how important architects are to our political leaders, and yourpresence DOEs make a difference in our profession's long-term results. I challenge you now to include Legislative Day 2Olo onyour calendar, We need you!GOVERNANCE: During SARc 2009 in Greenville, (The South Atlantic Regional Conference) the membership voted to approvea By-law amendment to add one additional Director position to the Board of Directors. This amendment directly answers aneed to provide more intense and focused attention on the many Legislative actions that occur each year. Although this newDirector position is not an "assigned" position, it is thought that the new Directorship will oversee,.Government Retations', forour organization. AIANc works continuously to preserve the rights and quality of our profession. This new position will provideleadership on issues that are relevant to our AIANC membership.Just a word of caution before I close...l do believe that our profession is in jeopardy of losing one of our grearest resources: ouryoung alchitects and associates. we must meet our responsibility to encourage our young architects and assoqates to stayinvolved in the profession; to learn from our experienced members; and to continue to imagine their future with passion andexcitement. we must include these valuable individuals in our dreams, goals and plans for the profession and place confidencein their abilities to steer the organization through future challenges when necessary.At sAR in Greenville. as I was walking the city's vibrantly revitalized downtown area, I noticed that at every fifth step or so, aground plaque with an engraved quote had been inserted into the sidewalk. one quote, in particular, caught my eye and lwantto share the thought with you..."...if you are heading down a road with no troubles, then you are probably going nowhere..."I stopped for a moment, and as I pondered the statement, I realized that AtA North Carolina is definitely going ,,somewhere,Land I was excited to be involved. Years ahead, I hope you will all consider your involvement in AlnNc,leriemoering our sharedresponsibility - igniting the excitement and passion waiting for us all on the journey.Honored to serve.CJ^ulWAnn Collier, AIA13