January 2010
02/02/2010

Well here it is gentlemen; it is my turn to take this job.  I can only hope that I can do as good a job as my predecessors to help our chapter stay aware of what is going on around us and create benefits for the members who want to be reassured that their investment in our organization is money well spent. I am not going to talk about the economy, not because it is not important, but because we just have to deal with it.  The AIA though is aware and is willing to make our dues as manageable as possible by providing a Deferred Payment Plan.  This plan must be applied for though the requirements are not extensive.  I am offering this information because one of our goals this year is to have our membership levels maintained and our memebers involved in meetings this year.

This newsletter will be distributed both by e-mail and by regular mail this time in order to insure that all of the membership gets a copy.  Please, either by e-mail (president@aianetx.org), mail (AIA NETx,  P.O. Box 1397, Tyler, TX 75710-1397) or a phone call ((903) 663-5533) indicate your preference as to whether you continue to receive the newsletter electronically or by hardcopy through the regular mail.  Those of you who want a hard copy particularly need to let us know.  It seems that there are some of us who have given up on e-mail items because of the huge volume of stuff we are beginning to get electronically.  However, realize that the electronic distribution saves the chapter expense.

As soon as I understand the website (fortunately Brian Phillips has volunteered to help), the opportunity for response to the questions in this letter will be available.  Another item of importance is to make sure that we have published important information about you and your firm correctly.  If there is any item not correct on your information let us know so that it can be corrected.  We also need to know about your interns.  Have your interns check the website and insure that their contact information is posted.

I would like the chapter to consider holding a couple of meetings located closer to membership in Texarkana and Lufkin.  Maybe we could hold a meeting in Jefferson and maybe Nacogdoches where we provide a bus from Tyler and one from Longview to encourage more of those members to attend.  I definitely need to have input of the membership concerning this and perhaps suggestions of places of historical importance where we might have the meetings and meals.

Another goal this year will be to acquaint more of our small and mid-sized firms (which include most of us) with the software sales people who, in the last three years, have products that are worth looking at again.  I realize that most firms have dealt for years with programs that never do all that we hope and require multiple licenses to function.  Your attitude is that, “I sure don’t need that product or expense.”  That is no longer true.  The BIM (Building Information Modeling) software does more than just make models.  They now provide for complete working documents.  Both Graphisoft’s Archicad and Autocad’s Revit have the ability to produce a complete project from model to working documents with one seat.  Revit so far, requires an additional software seat to provide renderings.  The abilities of the software reduce staff requirements and lead to better profitability.  “Profitability”, yes that word that a lot of us have always had problems with.  We need to talk to fellow firms and see if they will show us their success with the software.

And the third goal for me is to insure that our access to CEU’s remains easy and, as much as possible, free.  There are concerns by executive members of other chapters that CEU’s have a value and part of this is due to the investment of the staffed chapters in creating meeting rooms and maintaining staff to provide CEU programs.  Now, there is no question that some programs are better than others, but if the requirement of CEU’s is followed by a required fee to gain them, it becomes one more expense for us.  We need to maintain the access to programs that can even include lunches as provided by many of the product manufacturers in our industry who are willing to train us in aspects of current construction as well as provide information about the free offers available.

 

Thanks for reading,

TSA Grassroots 2010
02/02/2010

At the TSA grassroots meeting January 15-16, we had a good briefing by TSA staff about a lot of the relevant aspects of the organization.  A lot of you already know this, but I will remind you that the TSA Website (http://texasarchitect.org) is full of information pertinent to our profession.  The Government Advocacy tab is full of important information on current legislative proposals that directly affect our ability to make a living.  One important aspect is getting a practice act that requires Architects for projects in line with that requiring engineers, namely for projects in excess of $5000.00.  One of the points of discussion by our Executive Vice President, David Lancaster, was to have the members work to have local communities have their Building Inspection officials and city board members or councilmen be aware of the importance to the community of having local restrictions requiring our participation to insure ADA, Life Safety, Environmental, Planning and Design Standards are used to increase the safety and quality of buildings in their jurisdiction.  The TSA is putting together a list of existing communities requiring Architects in Texas and will give us an idea of other cities that have the requirement.  If you are aware of any cities with the requirement please send me a list so that I can forward same.  The next opportunity for modifying the legislation will be enhanced if there are a large number of municipalities that require our services.  Never hesitate to volunteer for any planning or building inspection boards in order to be able to get ordinances in favor of our practice.

TSA Director Report - Winter
02/02/2010

Reported by Mike Leinback, AIA

 

The meeting was called to order by TSA President Heather McKinney.  Following welcoming remarks, Minutes of the previous Board Meeting were approved along with consent agenda.

In the Treasurer’s Report, Mark Wolf reported that TSA had income for 2009 in an amount of $166,392.15 of which $157,743.12 will go to the Committed Surplus Funds as called for in the By-Laws.  The Finance committee previously determined that the stipend of $1,500 provided to each of the 17 Chapters should be included in the 2010 Budget allowing Chapters a full year to prepare for the curtainment of this subsidy.  This stipend provides for reimbursement expenses for Directors and other Directors to attend training events and Board Meetings.

A fundraising request was made by TSA staff asking Directors to attempt to secure two corporate sponsors from their respective Chapters who might be willing to sponsor one or more events at the San Antonio Convention.  The cost of this sponsorship is $350 per event.

There were discussions regarding Board responsibilities including Nominating Committee, Conflict of Interest Policy, AntiTrust Policy, and Whistleblower Policy.

On Friday, there was considerable discussion, brought to the Board by the Historical Resources Committee, regarding the need to adopt a resolution stating TSA’s position on the Governor’s Mansion Restoration and Addition.  The following day, a resolution was approved urging the State Preservation Board (SPB) to proceed expediently with the restoration, while strongly urging SPB to follow proper programming process in exploring the validity of an addition to the Mansion for the purpose of providing more functional living quarters for the Governor’s family.  This resolution will be directed to the SPB and the Texas Historical Commission, with a copy to the Austin American-Statesman.
 
The Board approved a position statement, prepared by the Government Affairs Steering Committee stating, “The Texas Society of Architects supports sustainable building initiatives and standards; therefore, we recommend TSA participate in discussions influencing development of sustainable standards, guidelines, and codes”.  In conjunction with this topic, there was discussion of AIA 2030 Initiative and how individual firms might respond by implementing green principles into their day-to-day office functions and practices.  This topic will be discussed at subsequent meetings.  

Kurt T. Cooknick, AIA California Council, and Ravi Shah, Board Member, of International Code Council and Building Official of City of Carrollton, discussed the ongoing development of the IgCC (International Green Construction Code) development.  While many TSA members support the philosophy of the code, many voiced concerns that codification of green construction standards will result in increased effort and liability for architects without increasing fees.  It was stated that the IgCC will be parallel with the current International Codes and, thus, will provide uniformity between municipalities since many are presently developing their own green codes with may be in conflict with one another.  It was further stated that the IgCC will allow jurisdictions to choose various levels of sustainability.  Finally, the presenters stated that many jurisdictions are opposed to codes and standards that are “private” in nature (LEED).  Adoption of IgCC would allow architects to design “green-compliant” facilities by virtue of their registration without requiring additional testing and accreditation.  Further discussion by the Board determined that TSA should remain involved in the development of IgCC and will be represented at the next IgCC meeting to be held in Austin later in the month.

Various Commission reports were presented by Commissioners as well as reports by AIA Regional Directors.  TSA will most likely poll Chapter presidents regarding a possible change in by-laws related to the issue of Associate Members functioning as delegates at AIA National.

Finally, Dan Hart, a member of the Joint Advisory Committee, reported that the JAC was making progress. The Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) was established by law to provide architects, landscape architects, and engineers a forum in which to address issues of overlap between the two professions. The law, passed in 2003, provides for each of the agencies which regulate these professions, the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, to appoint members to a joint board that will meet at least twice a year.  In addressing the three areas of interest in determining the differences between architecture and engineering (education, experience, and training), the JAC has now defined various documents that can be utilized in developing a matrix for separation of the two disciplines.  Mr. Hart cautioned the Board that, should the JAC not be unable to come to terms, it is entirely possible that the legislature could conceivable put both disciplines under a single regulating board, such as TDLR. 

February 2010 Meeting
02/02/2010

In Focus Articles
04/21/2009

AIA/CES Updates Requirements
07/17/2008

Walk the Walk
07/17/2008

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