AIA IL Advocacy Committee Seeks "Work Group" Participants for Key Issues

The Advocacy Committee seeks participants for several “Issue Work Groups” as a part of its Policy Development Initiative. The goal is to have several Illinois architects who are among the most- informed, most-involved, most-talented and most-passionate on a given issue (subject) participate in comprehensive discussions which can ultimately evolve into AIA-IL policy, position statements, best practices, model legislation, model ordinances, press releases, and general recommendations. These materials are to be developed for use by empowered authorities who can benefit from such expertise. Additionally, we would like to welcome a few allied professionals, non-architects and others who bring perspective and greater credibility to the discussions and developed materials.

These work groups are a reasonable/manageable-commitment-level way of making an impact. Through the use of resources and technology these groups may have progressive discussions through teleconferencing, web chats, blogs, emails, and/or limited face-to-face gatherings to achieve desired results. These results and deliverables from each work group are to be reported to the Advocacy Committee via a work group designate on occasion.

We are currently seeking participants for the following Work Groups:
Priority New Topics to be Developed in 2007:
1. Architectural Practice (Liability, Project Delivery, Business Practices)
2. Architecture Professional Development (Licensure, Unlicensed Practice/Abuse, Architectural Education)

Continuing General Topics from 2006 :
1. Sustainable Buildings: (Energy Consumption / Material Conservation / Healthier Bldgs)
2. Sustainable Infrastructure :(Site Use/Re-Use, Transportation, Natural Resources/Stormwater Mgmt.)
3. Historical Preservation
4. Sense of Place / Planning / Zoning
5. Affordable Housing
6. Building Codes & Standards

Persons interested in participating are encouraged to respond ASAP. We are challenging each Work Group to produce publishable, comprehensive policy drafts similar to the sample below comfortably in time for consideration of adoption at the AIA Illinois Annual Conference in November:


(Sample format for Work Group “deliverable” )

AIA Illinois Sustainable Building Policy

1. Introduction
Sustainability is best defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. AIA Illinois believes that a healthy environment for all life is important. Architects are uniquely trained to be leaders in integration of design disciplines in ways that mirror the interrelationships of natural ecosystems. Whole-systems thinking is required for sustainable design that solves the needs for human habitation while preserving and enhancing environments that support all life.

Sustainable planning and design is good for the architectural profession from business as well as ethical perspectives. AIA Illinois believes that failure to take the necessary steps to achieve a sustainable future is not a viable option. Key policy issue areas to meet this challenge include energy consumption, conservation of material resources, healthy buildings, historic preservation, affordable housing, efficient use of infrastructure, transportation choice, and sense of place.

In order to succeed in this initiative we must reach beyond our traditional purview and develop partnerships with other organizations for pursuing sustainable development.


2. Principles
The architects of AIA Illinois…………...
AIA believes ………….
AIA Architects consider themselves as stewards of………….….
We advocate ………………
AIA Illinois is committed …………..
etc.....

3. Goals
1. Raise the awareness…..
2. Reduction of Greenhouse …..
3. Mitigate the negative …
4. Utilization of alternate ….
5. Provide for …..
6. Create better built environments through …..
7. Leverage the investment …..
8. etc.....


4. Call to Action

Energy Consumption/ Production:
AIA Illinois joins with _____ in challenging ………..…
AIA Illinois urges ……….…
We also call upon…………
etc..........

Conservation of Material Resources:
AIA Illinois suggests ……………
We encourage architects and other design …..
etc......

Healthier Buildings:
AIA Illinois calls for……………..
We recommend ……………..
etc.....

5. Informational References

-AIA “No Cost” Green Building Strategies- 2003 The American Institute of Architects (Best Practices)
-Illinois Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Act- Illinois Public Act 093-0936 (Model Legislation)
-Responsible Energy Management: Leading by Example- 2003 The American Institute of Architects (Best Practices)
-The Business Case for Sustainable Development- World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Sept 2001 (Business Case)
-“City To Participate In Green Building Challenge” (Model Press Release) 2007.
etc…………..…..
etc……………….


Please leave a comment on this blog, or contact Michael Rogers or Susan King if you are interested in participating in one or several of these work groups.