In the beginning of February, several of our colleagues, Janet and I flew to Washington, DC for AIA Grassroots. I have to confess that 'old hippies' don't look forward to calling on politicians, but in addition to being an opportunity to socialize with our Kentucky members, the AIA formats the programming so that we hear what our constituents from across the country are doing to encourage emerging professionals, how to better manage offices and how to become engaged in the community that we serve. Those attending included Chris Bowling, Rachel Worley, Jeff Stivers, Richard Polk, and Derek Brooks.  We need to personally thank the folks who invested their time and talent to make this trip on behalf of AIA Kentucky.

I am pleased to report that the overall mood of nearly a thousand architects was more upbeat and positive than the same group a year ago. Needless to say, many of the attendees have been subject to furloughs, cutbacks or outright job loss. Regardless, there was an overall optimism as to the opportunities that appear on the horizon. I would also offer that the conference program and the issue papers that we brought to the Hill were better than last year.

We split up into two groups, generally representing the western and eastern parts of the states. Our group which included Chris Bowling and Rachel Worley called upon Senator Mitch McConnell, Congressman John Yarmuth and Congressman Brett Guthrie. McConnell, Yarmuth and Guthrie personally met with us and spent considerable time discussing the state of the economy as it pertains to architects as well as discussing the issue papers prepared by the AIA. We will cover these issues in more detail during the regional events AIA Kentucky is hosting this year, but it is important to note that every one of our representatives upon whom we called realized that the current economic stimulus programs, whether TARP or ARRA, were not impacting the recovery of "Main Street" businesses and therefore we, as a profession, see little if any improvement in the conventional business climate.

 
This year, we had a "leave behind" poster that is a visual reminder of those issues which we hold important not only to our community, but to the society we serve. These include community investment, sustainability, quality school design and others. It was encouraging to see that our representatives have either sponsored or have supported many of the items listed in the AIA issue papers.

We also made the point that the state of the economy can be easily measured through the business activity of architects and that if we have lost what some statistics say are twenty percent of our work force then the economy is not recovering . . . we are the "Canaries in the Coal Mine".
Most importantly, I think that all Grassroots attendees felt that our voices were heard in unison and this is another sign that when we speak in unison, the AIA is heard.

 

 

Sam was recognized for his efforts on behalf of the profession both in Kentucky and on the national level.  He is a past president of AIA Kentucky and a recipient of AIA Kentucky's highest honor, the C. Julian Oberwarth Award. His firm, Omni Architects in Lexington, has twice been selected as AIA Kentucky's Distinguished Firm (1987 and 2008).

 

Sam was specifically cited for his leadership in the adoption of a fair and equitable A/E contract for state construction projects in the late 1990's as part of an effort to stop the adoption of what was then known as the "Contract from Hell," a construction contract that was being marketed to public agencies across the country by an Atlanta law firm. It was recognized by the A/E community and the professional liability insurance industry as a bad contract and Sam's work to stop its adoption in Kentucky helped put the brakes on that contract finding a foothold nationwide.

 

Sam will be inducted into the AIA College of Fellows during ceremonies at the AIA National Convention in Miami in June. Again, CONGRATULATIONS SAM!

 

AIA Kentucky's first full-day CE program of 2010 will be held Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at the Park Inn Louisville East (formerly the Marriott) in Louisville. Seats are limited; registration is now open online. Participants will earn 5 AIA/CES LU HSW SD  The agenda includes four sessions: 

Additional "member gatherings" are planned for Louisville, Lexington, Northern Kentucky and possibly Eastern Kentucky later this year.  The Lexington date has been established as Thursday, May 13 with a special guest from our AIA national office, EVP/CEO Chris McEntee.  Stay tuned for details and registration information.

March 3 - AIACKC/Louisville CSI Trade Fair "Enjoy the Show!" - Galt House East. Click here for complete information.

 

March 16 - Building Tour of The Green Building, 732 East Market St., Louisville.  Info at www.aia-ckc.org.

March 12 - Construction Tour - 4 p.m. tour of Leestown Middle School, 2010 Leestown Rd, Lexington - hosted by EKC.  RSVP to Daniel Ware, Assoc. AIA at dware@eopa.com or 859.231.7538. Being a construction site, appropriate footwear and hardhats are required.

 

March 14 - KET Telefund - On Sunday, March 14th from 4:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m, AIA EKC will once again be participating in the KET Telefund by manning the phone banks.  Participation in this annual event has the dual benefit of providing AIA EKC and the profession of architecture in the state of Kentucky with some exposure in addition to helping support KET in their cause.  Slots for 25 volunteers are available.  Volunteer training by KET staff along with dinner sponsored by Rafferty's is provided.  For additional details, please contact Ken Donnelly, AIA kdonnelly@dlarc.com or Jeff Stivers, AIA jstivers@rosstarrant.com.

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