AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

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Dear AIA Michigan Member:
Over the past few months the economic challenges that AIA/MI, like businesses in most sectors has faced, have become more acute than originally anticipated.  As we planned the 2009 Budget last fall we anticipated and built-in a 10% reduction from the previous year. We also agreed to closely monitor income and expenses in order to maintain a fiscally healthy and viable Organization.  As the first quarter came to a close, the AIA staff brought to the ExCom's attention the potential for less income than originally believed was possible and planned for.

This shortfall was observed coming from several areas including Document Sales, Sponsorships and Membership Dues.  Based upon this shortfall the staff prepared several scenarios and actions we could undertake now in order to preserve member services, programs and the financial stability of AIA/MI.  After review and discussion the officers agreed to adopt the worst case scenario and the recommended adjustments in spending to deal the challenge early in order to maximize the effect while minimizing the impact.  To accomplish this several changes have been placed into affect as of April 1st. 
 
Broad in their reach, these spending cuts attempt to preserve member services and programs.  Areas of significant impact have occurred with the staff and include pay cuts (ranging from 13 -15%); reduction in benefits and reduction in hours. For efficiency in operation and to conserve resources Beaubien House will be open to members from 8:00 to 5:30 on M-Th and closed on Fridays until further notice.  We have placed on hold updating the computers, the website and payments to the reserve fund.  The present reserve fund remains intact and any positive changes in income will first be used to meet this budget obligation.  In addition we have reduced the contracted time for our Public Relations consultant and minimally reduced Government Affairs and will be looking to an electronic version of Place Magazine in lieu of the present hard copy version going out this year.   While these changes appear to work on paper we will continual to monitor the finances and adjust accordingly. 
 
We want to keep our members informed and to let you know that we stand ready to help you weather these trying times.  If you are having difficulty maintaining your membership, please don't hesitate to contact Beaubien House and see how we can help you.  We are also in discussions to develop very low cost workshops to present information on good business practices during these times and very low cost seminars to help you meet continuing educational requirements.  We believe that if we work collaboratively to fulfill the mission to our members and if we are fiscally responsible during this difficult time, then AIA/MI will emerge from this recession stronger and better positioned to serve you.  We trust you that understand and support these adjustments.  If you have any comments and/or suggestions regarding this please don't hesitate to contact your Director, any one of us on the Executive Committee or the AIA/MI Headquarters directly. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Ron Campbell, AIA
2009 AIA/MI President