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1.  Message from AIAMI President Harry Terpstra, AIA

Highlights of the weekend included Gene Hopkins, FAIA discussing National Connections with support from Tom Mathison, AIA, our National VP, outlining the National AIA Strategic Plan. It was encouraging to hear about the continuing progress towards making our organization financially stable and how we can provide support in the areas of Knowledge, Advocacy and Community. Their presentations were a reminder of how fortunate we have been to have leaders from Michigan who set great examples for all of us.

We were privileged to welcome the Deans from three of four Michigan architectural schools. Joe Veryser AIA of LTU, Steve Vogel FAIA of U of D Mercy and Carey Canscallen AIA of Andrews University each presented information on their programs. This is an important connection to the next generation of architects and demonstrated the value of the Mentoring Network as well. We always appreciate their participation despite busy schedules.

This retreat also gives us an opportunity to hear about the exciting things happening at our chapters around the state. It’s vital to see what others are doing and how they were able to develop successful programs. This Connection is important and we saw some very encouraging examples of chapter efforts. These include:

Huron Valley hosting a Walking Tour with the Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce. The continuation of the example set by the Flint Chapter and their Guidebook with similar projects completed in the Huron Valley and Southwest Chapters. Grand Valley has made a couple of major community Connections with their recent West Michigan Regional Design Charrette and the upcoming talk by Sarah Susanka, AIA, which is sold out with 600 guests. Northern Michigan has co-hosted an event with the Masonry Institute and continues the good work with their scholarship program. The Flint Chapter has planned a Design Charrette with U of M Flint and the Flint Cultural Center.

If you have ever had the chance to participate in your chapter, you know it can sometimes seem difficult as a chapter leader, but these examples along with the opportunity to work together and learn about each other over a weekend can be very encouraging.

Kevin Shultis, AIA updated us on the activities of our Government Affairs Committee and their recent success in getting HB 5656 enacted as law. Susan Pultorak, AIA, Angela Jeruzal and Mike Layne reported on our Public Affairs activities over the past year, including the first look at the spots that are appear on Public TV. Mike Marshburn, AIA presented the MAF Annual Report. MAF has made progress over the past year with not only their regular programs like the K-5 program, Health Facilities Conference and Educational Facilities Conference, but also the expansion of their Board of Trustees to include more public members, strengthening the Connection to our business communities.

These weekends typically wrap up with Breakout Sessions to focus on areas of interest, look at options and determine priorities for the coming year. It is helpful for all of us to be working towards achieving similar goals and for us to be consistent from one year to the next. Our goal is to use these priorities to develop a five-year Strategic Plan for AIA Michigan.

 This year’s focus areas were:

§          Chapter Enhancement/Growth
§          Government Affairs
§          Membership Enhancement
§          Communities by Design
§          Connections/Collaboration

The Leadership Retreat presents a great deal of information and ideas in a short time. We try to make it a valuable experience and one where our chapter leadership can be encouraged by meeting and learning from others who are experiencing many of the same things. Hopefully we will be better AIA leaders and more importantly, better architects, because of these experiences.

The next big event is AIA Nationals Grassroots event in Washington DC. For those who have attended before, you know how intense – but helpful – this event can be. Chapter leaders are strongly encouraged to take advantage of AIAM chapter grants for attending Grassroots. There is probably no other single AIA program that can help you to do your job better.

I look forward to seeing you during the coming year. Please feel free to contact me, Rae or any of the AIAM Board members with any suggestions, questions, concerns or even ideas on where you think AIA Michigan should be in five years. 

2. Government Affairs Update:

On December 20, 2004, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed Public Act 429 (formerly H.B. 5656) into law. The new law negates a clause in state contracts that enabled design firms and contractors to be held liable for the negligence of any party on the job, unless the state was solely at fault. The AIAM Government Affairs Committee has worked for more than 20 years to “clean up” the state contract for items that are uninsurable or expose the profession to excessive risk. Passage of this law is a significant positive step. Congratulations to Fred Butters, AIA, who championed the bill within the Government Affairs Committee; Jim Cavanaugh, our lobbyist; and many members who participated in a letter-writing campaign.

3.  Tom Mathison, FAIA Elevated to College of Fellows

Michigan’s Thomas Mathison, a principal at Tower Pinkster Titus Associates Inc., has been elevated to the prestigious College of Fellows, an honor awarded to members who have made significant contributions to the profession. Mathison leads TPTA’s higher education office and the firm’s business development. Prior to joining TPTA he opened GBKB Associates’ branch office in Florida. He is a past president of AIA Grand Valley and AIA Michigan. Mathison has represented Michigan as AIA regional director for the past three years. He was recently elected AIA vice president.

 A liaison to the AIAS and the NCARB IDP Committee, Mathison also has participated in the mentoring and long-range planning task groups. Mathison founded AIA Michigan’s Mentoring Network. He participates on the Committee on Architecture for Education PIA, the Council of Education Facility Planners, the Society for College and University Planning, community activities, and his church. He will be invested in the College of Fellows during the upcoming AIA National Convention in May in Las Vegas.

4. Opportunities

Detroit Home Design Awards – Entries sought in nearly 60 categories for 2005 competition sponsored by Detroit Home Magazine. All entries must be postmarked by April 28, 2005. For an entry packet, visit www.hourdetroit.com.

Call for Architecture Imagery – The Saginaw Art Museum invites all Michigan architects and artists to submit imagery of Michigan architecture for a statewide exhibition to begin in July. Models, plans, blueprints, sketches, photographs, elevations, memorabilia, etc. by or about Michigan architects are sought. There is no entry fee. Deadline is June 15, 2005. for information, contact Curator Michael Bell at 989-754-2491, ext. 204; or e-mail mbell@saginawartmuseum.org.

Wood Design Awards – Submissions are due May 6, 2005 for the 2005 Wood Design Awards, sponsored by Wood Design and Building magazine. For details, visit www.woodmags.com, select the Design Awards logo.

5. Get the Word Out: Advertise With AIA Michigan

Reach architects across the state of Michigan with advertising placed in AIAMI’s printed Bulletin and electronic newsletter, and on the AIAMI web site. A variety of sizes and costs are available for each publication. E-mail Cathy Mosley, or call her at 313-965-4100.

6. Firm News

New Positions

HarleyEllis: Laura Clary, AIA and Lisa Mancini, AIA elected to associates …

Hobbs + Black Associates, Inc.: Henry Henrichs, AIA named healthcare studio head in charge of program management …Hobbs + Black: Charles Huber, AIA, Anne Hovey Kenyon, AIA and Norman Rehm, AIA to senior associates …Progressive AE: Bradley Thomas, PE to chief executive officer and president; Michael Perry, AIA to executive vice president; Bryan Koehn, AIA as director of design; Phillip Lundwall, FAIA, continues to work as senior designer … Schley Architects: Lori Beard, Assoc. AIA, NCIDQ for marketing and interior design …Gregory Aerts & Associates Architects: Scott Sterns as associate …

Anniversaries
SME: celebrates 40 years.

Awards, Recongnitions

Ply Architecture: Wood Design Honor Award for Big Ten Burrito Restaurant, Ann Arbor.

7. Grapevine

Congratulations to past AIAM President Celeste Novak, AIA, of our Huron Valley Chapter, who has been appointed to the serve as the AIA Board of Directors representative to the Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team (R/UDAT) Task Group … Father Terry Curry, AIA, has completed his Fulbright at Fordham University and is heading back to Hungary. He hopes to explore the possibility of setting up a small design collegium/studio for students interested in design excellence, community service and exploring their faith. Father Terry is a former AIA Detroit member from University of Detroit …Frank Nutt, Jr., of North Electric Supply, was named chairman of the board of the Construction Association of Michigan; other new officers include Thomas Burke Jr., Jeffrey Harrison and Robert Singer.

8. Mark Your Calendar

Highlights of Upcoming AIA Michigan & Chapter Events

Be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

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