Reviewing 1998

Is it just me, or is this year going by faster than usual? Only yesterday I was writing my first letter for AIA Perspective and now I am already writing my last one. Traditionally, this last letter recaps what we accomplished and thanks those who made it a successful year. While I will not part from that tradition, limited space will surely force me to note and acknowledge less than really happened. Please forgive me if I neglect to mention your favorite AIA Houston event or activity.

The most consistent thing I have heard this year is how busy everyone is. When I met with the Presidents of other large metropolitan chapters, we usually ended up discussing the architect shortage and the increasing amount of work in our respective markets. Earlier in the year, we frequently expressed concerns that this level of demand on membership time and priorities might compromise the amount of time members could allocate to Chapter programs and activities. I am amazed and proud to say that this could not be further from the truth in Houston. Participation in Chapter programs has been record-setting. Your Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, numerous committee members and Chapter staff have been unwavering in their dedication to the production and support of AIA Houston programs and special events. Here are just a few of the things they did this year.

We had the most successful Celebrate Architecture Gala ever. Having outgrown the facilities available at the Four Seasons, we are moving to larger quarters at The Rice for the 1999 gala. Proceeds from this event are dedicated to the mission of service and public awareness supported by the Houston Architecture Foundation.

This year's Sandcastle Competition was the largest, best attended and most publicized ever, with 74 teams, 1700 participants and more than 20,000 spectators.

A new committee successfully initiated Monthly Chapter Luncheons to encourage a sense of community and fellowship among our members. These luncheons provided an impressive list of notable speakers including Jim Kollaer, FAIA, of the Greater Houston Partnership, Michael Stanton, FAIA, 1999 President of AIA, Jerry King, Houston's Director of Public Works, Harris County Judge Robert Eckels and Bob Eury of the Houston Downtown Management District.

We initiated closer relationships and more active participation in public policy. Constructive dialogue has been initiated with the Houston Department of Public Works and Metro. We continue to receive and respond to issues from the Houston Department of Planning and Development. At the invitation of the US Department of Education, we co-hosted a press conference regarding the need for financial incentives to local school districts for the improvement of the learning environments available in our schools. This was held with representatives from HISD, the Houston Federation of Teachers, and Members of Congress Ken Bentsen and Sheila Jackson Lee. And last but not least we actively supported the HISD Bond Issue Referendum. If you see this before Election Day, November 3rd, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE.

One of our strongest areas of member service is Continuing Education. Our standing committees continued their commitment to membership education and two new groups were formed to respond to special informational needs. One provided regular programs on codes, accessibility requirements and compliance with TDLR regulations. Another provided even more programs on the new AIA Documents 1997 B-141 and A-201. Knowledgeable Chapter members developed seminars on CAD documentation, specifications, building technology, liability concerns, marketing, photography, lighting, management, programming and contract administration. At the current pace more than 1,000 of you will have attended a continuing education program initiated and supported by AIA Houston.

AIA Houston membership grew by at least 6% this year. This is in contrast to national projections anticipating a membership loss of up to 10% due to natural attrition and the implementation of mandatory continuing education.

This list could go on and on. Many individuals received President's Citations at the Annual Meeting for their hard work to make many of these things happen. Find their names and accomplishments in Member-related News.

Next year is the seventy-fifth anniversary of AIA Houston and plans are in place to make it an incredible year. If I had not seen the individual and team performances of this year, I might be concerned that we were biting off too much. I'll never again underestimate the spirit of your Board, committee chairs, committee members, program volunteers and Chapter staff.

I leave with one last membership tip. Volunteer, get involved and read your newsletter as soon as you get it. You can learn a lot from the great programs and activities that go on every week. You can meet new people, make new friends and learn even more when you are part of the group that puts the program or activity together.

Thanks for a great year. I look forward to seeing you at next year's Diamond Anniversary events.

Ken Ross, AIA