Issues & AdvocacyIssues & Advocacy

Close Relations

Inside AIA National’s State Relations Team

July 7, 2011

Welcome to this week’s edition of Close Relations. For more government advocacy news, please see today’s edition of the ANGLE.

Note: AIA Components are encouraged to send legislative and advocacy news to Close Relations Editor Zachary Hart at zacharyhart@aia.org for inclusion in future editions of Close Relations.

STATE LEGISLATURES MEETING THIS WEEK: 4

California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin

HOT ISSUES:

• The AIA Board Advocacy Committee has completed their review of the AIA Public Policies and Position Statements. The BAC is seeking public comment from the State Government Network regarding a revision to the Sustainable Architecture Practice Position Statement. Contact Angie Taylor, Director, State Relations for more information at angietaylor@aia.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• July Virtual Advocacy Briefing Call will feature an update on AIA state level advocacy. The call will feature an update from the AIA State Relations team, updates from components on advocacy efforts across the country, and a presentation on state legislatures from a representative of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Date and Time: July 21, 2011 4:00 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Event number: 669 331 610
Event password: Welcome11
Event address for attendees: https://aiaevents.webex.com/aiaevents/onstage/g.php?d=669331610&t=a

• July SGN Open Call – titled The ABCs of PAC – will feature Adam Melis, Director, Advocacy Outreach and Hannah Wesolowski, Manager, Political Programs discussing best practices on how to maximize the effectiveness of State PACs with limited resources. The call will be worth one Continuing Education credit.

Among other things, they will discuss:

• PAC management best practices to streamline your process and be more efficient – Why PAC boards, bylaws, contribution criteria, and disbursement strategies can ease your resource allocation and increase transparency.

• Eye-catching solicitations – What messages resonate with AIA membership? How do we educate our members on the importance of PACs and create a culture of giving?

• Successful reward and recognition techniques – How you can utilize incentive clubs/giving levels and revamp your recognition approach to align with member priorities and manage costs.

• Communications that build awareness and excitement – Ways you can motivate non-donors with meetings, websites, newsletters, annual reports, and sharing your success stories.

PAC administrators, AIA member volunteers interested in government affairs, and anyone interested in learning more about PACs are encouraged to participate.

Date and Time: Monday, July 27, 2011 3:30 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)

Event number: 665 237 557

Event password: Welcome11

Event address for attendees: https://aiaevents.webex.com/aiaevents/onstage/g.php?d=665237557&t=a

AROUND THE HORN:

• AIA Ohio achieved 3 major legislative goals this session. A major construction reform law expands the project delivery methods available to public authorities. In addition to Multiple Prime design-bid-build, authorities will be able to use design-build, Construction Manager at Risk, and General Contracting project delivery methods. Additionally, legislators approved $50 million for local building projects and $60 million for Historic Preservation tax credits. For more information, contact AIA Ohio Executive Vice-President David Field, at field@assnoffices.com.
• Ann Voda, chair of the AIA Minnesota Government Affairs Committee discusses how the Minnesota government shutdown is affecting architects in today’s edition of the Angle.

THIS WEEK IN STATE RELATIONS:

• SGN Advisory Panels: No advisory panels met this week. Relevant documents for each Panel will be posted to Sharepoint: Click here, then “SGN Advisory Panels.” Contact Chris Merriam if you’re interested in joining one of the Panels.
• SGN Listserv threads: AIA National asked components to describe their methods of tracking state legislation. All SGN Listserv threads are archived on Sharepoint; click here, then “SGN Listserv Threads.”

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Past editions of Close Relations can be found here.

Connect with AIA’s State Affairs team:

• Angie Taylor (Director, State Relations): 202.626.7543 or angietaylor@aia.org
• Chris Merriam (Manager, State Issues and Programs): 202.626.7417 or chrismerriam@aia.org
• Zachary Hart (State and Local Relations Consultant, Close Relations Editor): 202.626.7354 or zacharyhart@aia.org
• Twitter: @AIA_StRelations