Dear Members, Architects and the People of Turkey:

On behalf of the American Institute of Architects, please accept our condolences on the great loss in your country. Having just returned from our UIA Congress and Assembly in Tokyo, I feel it is ever important that we reach out to our friends near and far when they may need our assistance.

We have been following the earthquake news and on behalf of the AIA National Disaster Assistance Task Force, and as your international colleagues and experienced disaster responders we are reaching out to you today to offer support. Your architects and community may be faced with an overwhelming need to evaluate the damage and move forward with recovery.

Our experienced task force of 10 professionals, passionately advocates for and educates other architects to evaluate damage to structures affected by natural events, so we may keep people safely away from further harm and return them to their homes as quickly as possible. We have volunteered with our local governments, AIA chapters and non-governmental organizations since the early 1970s and consider it a privilege to assist those in need where and when we can with our expertise.

Warm regards,
RACHEL MINNERY, AIA, LEEDap | HOMES ap
AIA Disaster Assistance Task Force, Chair

Dear Eastern Seaboard Components:

On behalf of the AIA National Disaster Assistance Task Force, please know that our nationwide team of trained architects is watching with you on standby as we wait out the effects of the impending storm. As experienced disaster responders, we are reaching out to you today to offer in advance any support we can as you and your members may be faced with assisting your clients and communities in evaluating the damage and moving forward with recovery.

Our experienced task force of 10 passionately advocates for and educates other architects to evaluate damage to structures affected by natural events, so we may keep people safely away from further harm and return them to their homes as quickly as possible. We have volunteered with our local building departments and AIA components since the early 1970s and consider it a privilege to assist those in need where and when we can with our expertise.

Warm regards,
RACHEL MINNERY, AIA, LEEDap | HOMES ap
AIA Disaster Assistance Task Force, Chair

Dear Components:

I have been following the news and the images coming back form Joplin are staggering. I think you know based on e-mails you have received that AIA national, the AIA Central States Region, and the AIA Missouri components are ready to assist you and our fellow architects in Joplin however we can. Paul and I will be happy to facilitate however we can. Reaching out to Trudy would be good to see how they handled the Greensburg event. It is important at this point that we still pray and hope for some more rescues today. Based on what I heard this morning is that tomorrow will probably begin the recovery process. Maybe in the following weeks once that is under way AIA Springfield can reach out to the Mayor and others to see how the AIA can be of help. I think having your on the ground knowledge will be important to any discussions.

If and when appropriate Paul and I can certainly help to facilitate a call with AIA National and others to give assistance and advice on options moving forward. Based on past experience I think knowing more about the situation and what help the community might want would be good.

Please pass on our thoughts to all the AIA members and all architects in the Joplin area. I hope that all in our AIA extended family are safe.

Please let me know if there is anything Paul or I can do to help. We can all help the Joplin citizens recover from this and come back with even a stronger community.

Kevin J. Flynn, FAIA, IES
Kiku Obata & Company
AIA Central States Director

Dear Components:

On behalf of the AIA National Disaster Assistance Task Force, I want to extend our concern, thoughts and prayers to you all over the recent devastating storms in Alabama. As experienced disaster responders, we are reaching out to you today to offer any support we can as you and your members assist your clients and communities in evaluating the damage and moving forward with recovery.

Our experienced task force of 10 passionately advocates for and educates other architects to evaluate damage to structures affected by natural events, so we may keep people safely away from further harm and return them to their homes as quickly as possible. We have volunteered with our local building departments and AIA components since the early 1970s and consider it a privilege to assist those in need where and when we can with our expertise.

Warm regards,
RACHEL MINNERY, AIA, LEEDap | HOMES ap
AIA Disaster Assistance Task Force, Chair
 

Dear Components:

Yesterday's massive storms have left lots of devastation behind and architects may be needed to help inspect structural damage. If you can assist, please reply to this email address, aia@gmsal.com, so we can develop a list of AIA members willing to lend their expertise to local officials in the damaged areas. Please make sure you include your cell phone number in your response. We have calls into the Emergency Management Headquarters and will let you know what we learn.

Thank you,
Larry Vinson, CAE,
Executive Director
Alabama Council AIA
 

Good Morning:

I hope all of you and your families are safe and sound. Our state is in shock with all of the devastation. Right now only first responders can respond. During this time we need to organize volunteers to help assess damage and offer any help. Please email,aiabirm@aiabham.org, if you need help or a place to stay or if you can HOUSE anyone temporarily. If you are willing to volunteer to help with clean up or assessing damage, please let us know. The AIA office is open for anyone who needs internet, phones, faxes. Keep everyone in your prayers.

Thank you,
Rhea Williams,
AIA Birmingham
Alabama Council AIA