2012_AIA Gainesville_AnnualSchedule

Robert Hanselman AIA and Joe Garcia AIA represent AIA Gainesville as State Directors of the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Florida).

On January 17, 2012 AIA Florida conducted its annual Legislative Day in Tallahassee.  Representing AIA Gainesville with Hanselman and Garcia were Michelle Borst AIA Chapter President, Maria-Luisa Riviere AIA immediate Past President, and Bill Warinner AIA Chapter Vice President.  During the day we also mentored an architectural graduate student from Florida A&M University.

The following excerpt from the website of AIA Florida best describes the function and purpose that the Board of Directors for AIA Florida is tasked with the following (this is only an excerpt):
AIA Florida involves members in a statewide proactive, organized, unified effort to benefit the profession. To accomplish its mission to “unite, educate and position architects to lead the shaping of Florida’s future” the state association:
Is Politically Effective. AIA Florida is involved in the process of proactive, public agency and legislative lobbying efforts. The state association employs full-time lobbyists in Tallahassee to insure that Florida architects are essential players in promoting the causes that benefit the profession. This activity is considered the most important, ongoing goal of AIA Florida.
Our group met with seven State Representatives and one State Senator.  We had two particular legislative issues to discuss with each legislator.  One was the ubiquitous Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA) that seems to be an annual issue with some legislators.  Senate Bill SB 246 and House Bill HB 155 both seek to allow fees to be part of the initial proposal for an architectural project.  These bills were in committee and hopefully they will not come to the floor to be voted on.  Our position is to oppose the bills.

The second issue is one that affects every architect that signs and seals documents.  SB 600 and HB 387 known as the Electronic Sign & Seal Act enables legislation that provides building officials authority to choose whether or not to allow for electronic transmission of certain documents and the use of electronic signatures and seals.  The permissive language in this bill does not mandate the electronic submission, but instead offers building code administrators or building officials the option to allow for electronic submission of documents.  The language does not require electronic filing.  Our position is in favor of the bills.

The third issue is not a political one as it is on the subject of the 100th Anniversary of AIA Florida which started in Jacksonville (Gainesville was part of the first chapter) on December 14, 1912.  There are many celebratory events scheduled in every chapter area throughout the year commencing with a special celebration on December 14th.  Ron Haase FAIA is our Chapter Champion to coordinate events with AIA Florida.

One major statewide event is the selection of the 100 Best Buildings in the past 100 years.  We asked each legislator to cooperate with our staff to disseminate information about the public voting on their favorite buildings during the month of March.

As a chapter, we were highly successful in seeing most of our representatives and senators in person.  At the end of a productive day, AIA Florida hosted a reception in the state office for our elected officials.  As a matter of interest, AIA Florida owns one of the most prestigious pieces of real estate in Tallahassee as our office is directly across the street from the Capitol.

On Wednesday we conducted our quarterly AIA Florida Board of Director’s meeting.  Beside the usual business related reports from various committees and officers, participants for committees were determined for this year.  AIA Florida also comprises the Virgin Islands and Caribbean islands as part of our association.

This year’s State Convention looks to be a well-attended event as it is being held at The Breakers in Palm Beach and is considered one of the premier resorts in Florida.  The convention will be held on July 19-22, 2012.  Next February is our license renewal year so many architects historically attend the convention to receive their continuing education requirements.

Don’t miss our HOLIDAY PARTY, to be held this year at Sisters Restaurant, Haile Village Center.

Look at the fantastic dinner selections listed below.  Then rsvp to our Chapter V.P., Michele Borst, at micheleborst@gmail.com

Come for the Food. Come for the Fellowship.

DEADLINE for your decision is Wednesday at NOON!

Click the image below for details.

AIA Gainesville

ArchiPAC / FAPAC

Fundraising Challenge

for 2011

To all AIA members, FAIA members and Associate AIA members:

We as a nation are embarking on one of the most important political seasons of our generation.  We architects are solution providers for the built environment; we want to be part of the solution for the betterment of our country and our profession as well.

In order to have a unified voice around the nation, AIA has joined forces with AIA Florida to embark on this campaign in order to encourage each state component to get on board with their own joint fundraising program.

AIA Gainesville asks each member to promote this effort by donating directly to ArchiPAC.  The goal is to raise more than $100,000 for each PAC.  The leaders of this program suggest a donation of $73 to protect the future of your profession.  Of course, any other amount is greatly appreciated.  The donations received by ArchiPAC will be split evenly with FAPAC.  If every member donates this amount, the goal of $100,000 will be met.

Donations can be made two ways:

• An easy online form, available here (www.archipac.org/state). This form is secure and easy.
• Fill out a contribution form and mail it with a check (payable to ArchiPAC) or with your credit card information to:
  ArchiPAC
  1735 New York Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC 20006

An option is available for monthly contributions if desired.  Corporate contributions are not permitted by federal law, and as such are not eligible for this joint fundraiser. If you are interested in making a contribution from your firm to FAPAC, please call AIA Florida at (850) 222-7590.

Please be aware that contributions are voluntary and you have a right to refuse to contribute without reprisal.   The suggested amount is only a suggestion; more or less than the suggested amount may be given; the amount given by the contributor, or the refusal to give, will not benefit or disadvantage the person being solicited.

Why do the AIA and architects need PACs?

Decisions are made each and every day in Congress and in Tallahassee that affect our practices and our communities. ArchiPAC and FAPAC enable architects to approach vital public policy matters through a well-organized, well-informed, and united front. Through our PACs, architects are able to multiply their individual political effectiveness and increase the visibility and presence of the profession at the national and state level and ensure that our legislators hear what we have to say.

ArchiPAC is the bipartisan political arm of the AIA, which exists to help elect architect-friendly candidates to the U.S. Congress.  Pursuant to federal law, ArchiPAC is completely funded by individual, voluntary contributions from AIA members.

FAPAC is the state-level political vehicle in Florida – allowing Florida architects to make their voices heard in the state legislature on such state issues as licensure, service taxes, and the like.

Who do ArchiPAC and FAPAC support?

The AIA’s PACs do not make contributions based on a candidate’s political affiliation. Instead, contributions are made based on a review of a candidate’s understanding of our profession’s concerns, past voting record on key AIA issues, committee assignments, and leadership positions. This ensures that our PAC funds—including your donations—are used most effectively.

As a bipartisan organization, the AIA’s PAC strategy takes into account the current leadership in the state and federal legislatures, but we also acknowledge the fact that leadership could change in any given election cycle so we must be able to work with members of all parties. In addition to trying to achieve a bipartisan balance, we also look to the possible agenda for the next congressional session. As such, before any contributions are made, the likely committee positions of the candidate (if an incumbent) and the likelihood that the candidate can win the race are considered.

Board members of AIA Gainesville urge every architect and associate member to do their part by contributing right away.

Martin Diaz-Yabor, AIA, NCARB

Dan Kirby, AIA, AICP, LEED AP

Lawrence Maxwell, AIA

Candidate for Vice President 2012-2013 (2 positions for 2-year terms)

Patrick Ballasch, AIA, LEED AP

Andrew M. Hayes, AIA, LEED AP

NAtividad Soto, AIA, LEED AP

Candidate for AIA Florida Associate Director-atLarge (2012-2013)

Yovanna Alvarez, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP

Carlos E. Urzola, Assoc. AIA

Steve Jernigan, FAIA, LEED AP B+C

Candidate for Regional Associate Director (2012-2013)

Esteli Capote, Assoc. AIA

Paula Jarrett Nasta, Assoc. AIA