January 2012 AIA-NJ President's Report

January 29, 2012

Dear Colleagues,

I am honored to serve as your President for the 2012 year.  I would like to thank all those who supported me in my campaign for election as President of AIANJ – The New Jersey Society of Architects. My theme for this year will be “Back to Basics” Reaching back to the fundamental core of architectural strengths of Design and Construction, mastering and understanding the essential fiber that make the architect the lead professional in the construction industry.

This year is quickly shaping up to be a very exciting and productive year. We are promoting educational programs and events to provide value to our members. We had our first Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday January 17, 2012 and the agenda is packed with new and continuing educational programs.

What does AIA do for me? This phrase seems to be a reoccurring question among some members of AIANJ.

We are the AIA, nearly 1,800 members strong here in New Jersey and 80,000 members at AIA National. Together we bring forward the knowledge and highest standard of professional ethics in the practice of Architecture today.  That is what the AIA does for me, and that is why I am very proud to serve as your president.

I’ve found the more you put into the AIA the more you get out. The ambition comes from within, just as we were inspired to become architects. The mentality to want to participate within our professional society for the betterment of our practice is what the AIA is all about. This year we are planning a good number of educational programs essential to our profession. We will host seminars on codes and standards. The committee on the environment will be hosting ‘East Coast Green’ this will be the third year and growing stronger every year. We are planning seminars on professional ethics and the business of architecture. This year we have also integrated a Diversity Committee inspiring inclusion as a main theme to reinforce minority groups of all communities. We will be hosting meetings to encourage unity among the members of AIANJ.

The best way I’ve found to receive benefits from AIA is to participate in these programs for the advancement of our profession offered through AIA, programs in education, the environment, technology, design and construction. This is our profession lets celebrate it, let’s keep it strong and let’s keep it ours!

The 2012 Grassroots Leadership Conference held in Washington D.C. is scheduled for March 7, 2012 through Friday March 9, 2012. If you have not attended this conference before, this is one not to miss. The excitement of going to Capital Hill to lobby with your congressmen and senators for proactive bills that develop the prospect of work to our profession is a real thrill. There are numerous leadership courses offered and evening events that make this conference an exceptional learning experience.

We have an outstanding Executive Committee, who will assist me this year in bringing forward these events for our members. Our Communications Committee is continually improving our presence on the internet with our AIANJ web site and spreading our value to the architect by engaging our members on our Blog and connections with Social Media.  They are our future leaders and need our support.

I will serve you all in the best way that I can, to bring value to the architect as the lead discipline in the construction industry, to promote the public awareness and recognition of architects and architecture. In order to protect the public, we will uphold their health safety and welfare by eliminating through legislation or whatever means it takes, the unlawful practice of architecture that threatens us all.

I am honored and proud to serve as the President of AIA NJ for 2012 and I look forward to a very productive year.

Laurence E. Parisi, AIA

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