SEPTEMBER 2005 - Scott Stolarczyk, AIA

How can we measure the success of our AIA/SWO Chapter?  There are a few different indicators, such as the types of activities we host or the benefits we can provide to our members.  However, I would suggest that the best indicator of our success is the extent that our community values the contributions we as architects make, and their level of awareness regarding the importance of architecture and the built environment on our lives.

We have several things going for us in order to capitalize upon our potential success.  For example, there is the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon, bringing new ideas to the table and beginning the education of our future colleagues.  We also have a community that is very concerned about protecting the quality of life in our area, and interested in learning ways to do so.  And at this time we are seeing a renewal in the interest of our downtown areas and the health of our cities, including ways to create livable and walkable communities.

With things such as these working together we are poised, as a Chapter and as architects, to be able to make remarkable contributions to our community.  I encourage you to take part in your AIA Chapter.  We have always had a good level of support and involvement from our Chapter members in the activities we have done, showing an interest and dedication to improving our profession.  I would like to see this continued and built upon over the next few years.  Coming up is the 150th anniversary of AIA. It is being called AIA150 and preparations are being made for events across the country.  This can be a good time for us to step forward with new activities of our own, things that will not only benefit us but the entire community.

The AIA150 is more than a media event but is also an opportunity to revitalize our organization and interact with the public.  I would like to hear from you on how we can bring our efforts together for an event (or events) to celebrate the AIA150 as well as develop a meaningful dialogue with the community.  What can we do to step up and place architects at the forefront of the conversation about the future of our region?  How can we increase the awareness and understanding of architecture and the built environments’ importance in our daily lives?  AIA National is looking for champions in each region to help make AIA150 a great success.  I believe we can step forward and make our Chapter a model of community interaction.

Aside for the activities we do, another important part to our Chapters ongoing success is the people who make it happen.  I encourage you to take an active role in AIA/SWO.  We are beginning our planning for the next year, including setting up our Executive Board and committees.  Regarding the benefits of membership to AIA, we get out of it what we all put into it.  Think of ways that AIA can help you with what you are passionate about in architecture.  If there is something we can do that makes our profession more valuable, please let me know or better yet step forward and help us make it happen.

Scott Stolarczyk, AIA