Time for Renewal
It's renewal time again. In the next week or so you should receive your opportunity to renew your investment in your professional organization. What kind of return can you expect on this investment?
Advocacy. On the web this month are Houston City Council candidates' responses to a series of questions developed by the AIA/AGC Policy Council, questions designed to introduce public officials to some issues vital to our industry. Those questions and more were asked of the candidates for Mayor. Chapter leadership intends to keep these issues before public officials through 2002. You can help.
Recognition: Awards for design excellence will be given to projects designed by Chapter members. The 2002 Call for Entry is posted on the web. We are going to an electronic format for submissions, making it easier and faster to post images of winning projects on the web. Other annual awards highlighting the broad range of architectural achievement include the Firm Award, Young Architect, and Fellowship. Some of the best in residential design is featured annually on the Home Tour. Other efforts are underway to draw the attention of the public to the achievements and contributions of architects to the quality of place and of life in Houston. You can be a part of that.
Education: Through the work of committees, the connection to PIAs, and the rich array of CES opportunities at the Chapter office and at Conventions, you can generate, share, and absorb new information relevant to your practice. At the same time, you have the opportunity to get to know your colleagues, forge new friendships, and explore business opportunities. You can be a source for expanding the body of knowledge.
I could go on but you get the idea -- there's a basic return on your investment that everyone gets. To increase the benefit, follow your money. Join a committee, enter the Design Awards competition, offer to present a seminar on your area of specialty, mentor an intern. And don't forget to pay your dues.
Please return your dues with two copies of the invoice (you keep one) to the Chapter office in the envelope provided. Deadline is January 15.
Martha Murphree, Hon. AIA
