"On The Board" - of Directors, That Is
This is the first in a series of essays which are forthcoming in future issues of Perspective. In an effort to put a face on your Board of Directors, each Board member will outline his or her respective duties and planned events for the upcoming year.
Please allow me to introduce myself: I am Lonnie Hoogeboom. I've lived and worked in Houston since 1984. After starting the architecture program at UH, I transferred to Rice in 1989. I completed the Bachelor of Arts in 1991, thoroughly enjoyed a preceptorship year at Lake/Flato Architects in San Antonio, took off a year to travel, and then resumed studies completing Rice's Bachelor of Architecture in 1994 and the Master of Architecture in 1996. Then, I married. I started working at Natalye Appel + Associates Architects in 1997. I have enormously enjoyed my architectural internship with Natalye; she is an excellent teacher, a supporting mentor and a great friend. At present, I am in the throes of the Architectural Registration Exam. As of this writing, three down, five pending, one to go. In no way do I consider myself an oenophile, but 2000 was a fine year. 2001 offers high promise as well.
Last May, the IDP Committee proposed to the local AIA chapter the creation of a new Directorship to serve the interests of interns. With unanimity, the Board of Directors adopted this proposal. At the Chapter's annual meeting in October, the position was formally inducted, and I was appointed Director for Interns/Associates. I look forward to serving all of you, especially fellow interns, for the next two years.
Under my Directorship is the IDP Committee. Formed with the broad intention of serving the local community of interns in their transition from academia to the professional world, we view our role as a clearinghouse of information related to architectural education, NCARB's Intern Development Program, administration of the registration exam and registration protocol. Our aim is to be the "go-to" source at the local level when you have questions about your experience and training. Like all grassroots efforts, ours is a committee of engaged teamwork, trial-and-error, and a good deal of work off-the-clock. It is no mere coincidence that committee and commitment share a common root.
During the past year, the AIA chapter calendar was packed with intern-programmed events. In early 2000, the IDP Committee formed a new organization, the Intern Advocate Group. Comprised primarily of registered architects, this group is an evolving chapter resource wherein local firms share their experiences and experiments with intern development. From this group, we hope to establish a list of potential mentors to whom interns can turn for advice. In March, the chapter hosted Norman Dorf, AIA, for a three-day seminar covering the graphic portions of the A.R.E. In May, interns at a WHR Architects presented a competition entry for a hospital in Portugal; this project, initiated and designed by interns, won the competition. In June, Ray Leiker, AIA (Ray Bailey Architects) and Houston Chapter President for 2001, presented a seminar on Contracts entitled "A201 & B141, As It Applies to the A.R.E." In August, we hosted Cathy Hendricks, Executive Director of the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE), for an evening of questions about internship and registration in Texas. During September, the Committee prepared a presentation of the Intern Development Program which was delivered to interns at the local chapter office, at Bay Architects in Clear Lake, and to the professional practice class at the University of Houston. To close out the year in November, the chapter hosted Robert Rosenfeld, Director of Council Record Services at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), for programs on mentoring and internship. We hope to draw on Mr. Rosenfeld's energy and enthusiasm during the upcoming year with more programs and events. If you - our cohorts - have ideas, let us know. What do you need? We're here to help. Likewise, if you are interested in helping, we need you.
The local chapter has been enormously supportive of the IDP Committee's efforts. Particular thanks to Martha Murphree, Hon. AIA, Executive Director of AIA Houston; Martha is our guiding light. Also thanks to the staff at the office for their hard work on our behalf. To fellow Committee members and our advisors, thanks will never be enough, but thanks a million. A final gratitude is offered the previous and current Board of Directors for endorsing this new Board position and your support of interns. I look forward to working with you. Let us continue to raise the bar in our mission to meet the needs of fellow architects, interns, and students in our service of the community.
AIA. What's in it for me?
Information: publications, seminars, conferences
Access: to industry standard contracts, a network of job leads, civic and business leaders
Recognition: design and service awards, national television and radio advertising, appointments to public boards
Influence: on public and Institute policy
Mentoring: one-to-one, firm to firm, professional to student
Representation: before legislative bodies, regulatory agencies
Advocacy: for the health, safety and welfare of the public, qualification-based selection for public projects, comprehensive planning and design excellence
Fellowship: with architects, with colleagues in related fields, with industry and political leaders
