Message from AIAMI President Celeste Novak, AIA

Summer 2003 was a great time to watch the approach of Mars, toast our members at the AIA Michigan convention at the Grand Hotel and sing together at the campfires of the Design Retreat.

This year at Mackinac we made sure all new members were welcomed to the conference. As usual, this meant they often placed the highest in bocce, golf and tennis. From the egg drop at family night to networking at porch receptions, this event was successful financially and socially – certainly a highlight of the year. Thanks to our many sponsors, we continue to grow our alliances with others in our industry.

The Public Awareness Committee continues to press chapters to send in their issues. They also encourage all Chapters to follow the lead set by Flint in publishing a “Guide to Architecture.” Support is available through PR firm Marx Layne. Contact Suzan Pultorak for more details.

Government Affairs is preparing AIA position papers for the next Howling.  Certificate of Merit, penalties for unlicensed practice and interior design legislation are some of the important pro-active legislative issues. AIA Michigan hosted a successful breakfast fundraiser for Senator Debbie Stabenaw who discussed legislation prohibiting Canadian trash imports into Michigan, transportation funding, the budget crisis and Iraq.

National issues were part of a retreat with our “sister states” at Falling Water.  We shared insights on government affairs, membership, intern development and the National Board. Michigan rates highly on our abilities to provide programs supported by non-dues revenue. We are leaders in many of our programs. Some thoughts that VP Randy Case and myself brought back from this event include sharing data of membership surveys, increasing pro-active government affairs and continuing successful branding of AIA.

The Livable Communities Committee met to discuss the Michigan Land Use Task Force recommendations. Members of AGC, ACEC and the Michigan Society of Planners have begun a dialog regarding the report and hope to target areas of consensus to forward to our legislators for action. A small sub-committee is working on a green web page for the AIAM Website and also on a communities report card. This committee is off to a great start.

If you missed the Design Retreat, then you missed a day of testimonials and great design. Where else could you hear Ken Newman talk about a 14,000sf traditional addition of a historic house, followed by John Sheoris’s very modern and elegant 300sf studio addition. Glenda Meads spoke of Karin Swanson’s poetic addition to a lakefront cottage – a design complement to a home originally designed by her father. Sustainability was celebrated with presentations of the Ford Rouge Center and the Herman Miller offices. From the elegant Jackson National Life Insurance building to the Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center, architects discussed new designs for this new millennium. The Saturday night finale was a moving presentation of the work of William Kessler FAIA by Ed Francis FAIA. Some BUGs, heat, cold, brilliant sun and stars… Mars again. Don’t miss this next year. 

As my year as president comes to a close, Randy Case is charging forward with plans for next year. There are many things started this year for which we need your help. If you haven’t already – please volunteer.