This Web site contains the latest information on volunteer opportunities for national YAF positions. 

YAF Advisory Committee
The structure of the YAF was originally developed from the leadership structure of the College of Fellows and is itself a prime example of mentoring in action. The YAF Advisory Committee (YAF AdCom), as of 2003, consists of seven young architects working in association with the COF Executive Committee. The YAF AdCom is specifically charged with carrying out national YAF programs and serving as liaison with other AIA committees and allied organizations.

The National AIA YAF Advisory Committee (AdCom) is seeking to fill five positions for 2007. Interested young architects—those licensed fewer than 10 years—should submit an applicant letter of interest, up to five pages of backup materials, and three letters of recommendation (details of items required are listed below). Descriptions of open positions are listed below. All terms begin at the start of the 2007 calendar year. Nominees must be young architects (licensed ten years or fewer) for at least the first year of their term. Appointments are based on submitted materials, and selection will be made by the YAF AdCom selection committee in early October. Candidates should be available for the 2007-08 YAF Advisory Committee Leadership Retreat on November 3, 2007. A travel stipend will be provided for all incoming and outgoing advisory committee members.

Positions becoming available in 2008:

Vice-chair
Communications adviser
Events adviser
Public relations adviser
Regional liaison adviser

Applicants for open AdCom positions are required to submit the following, to be RECEIVED no later than 5 p.m. ET, September 30 of each year.

• Applicant Letter of Interest: one page maximum describing applicant's interest in a specific position or positions.
  Note: assignment of specific AdCom roles shall be at the discretion of the YAF AdCom selection committee.
• Back-up materials: five 8-1/2x11 pages maximum, including applicant's resume at a minimum
• Letters of recommendation: three required, one letter shall be from a local, state, regional, or national AIA component

Application materials should be in PDF format emailed yaf@aia.org. Letters can be addressed to the attention of Suzanna Wight, AIA, Emerging Professionals Director at The American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20006-5292. For questions, e-mail Suzanna at swight@aia.org.  

Position Descriptions

VICE-CHAIR

Note: the Vice Chair is a three year commitment, as the candidate will serve in 2009 as Chair and 2010 as Past Chair, both funded committee positions.

• Assists with Chair's functions and serves as acting Chair in Chair's absence
• Serves as primary contact for relations with Allied Organizations and Knowledge Groups
• Facilitates vision and strategic plan for upcoming YAF AdCom year and events
• Responsible for maintaining quarterly contact with two assigned Regional Liaisons
• Plans agenda, topics and discussion for YAF Annual Meeting at AIA National Convention
• Coordinates with YAF Staff Liaison regarding annual budget preparation for upcoming year
• Establishes and maintains contact with national AIA First Vice President/President-Elect
• Maintains contact with College of Fellows Vice-Chancellor
• Selects members and serves as Chair for the YAF AdCom Selection Committee
• Attends AIA/AGC Joint Committee meeting in June of their term as Vice-Chair

Participation and Funding (as annual budget allows)

• Funded to attend AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference
• Funded to attend AIA National Convention and Exposition
• Funded to attend AIA/AGC Joint Committee meeting (June)
• Participates in YAF AdCom conference calls
• May be funded to represent YAF at functions if Chair not available

PROGRAMS ADVISER

2 Year Term

• Assists with Vice-Chair’s functions; serves as acting Vice-Chair in Vice-Chair’s absence (2nd year of term)
• Maintains/compiles online resource library of all YAF program/event templates
• Solicits ideas/input regarding programs for AIA Grassroots Conference, AIA National Convention and other associated events
• Coordinates program submissions to AIA Grassroots Conference, AIA National Convention and other associated events
• Responsible for maintaining quarterly contact with three assigned Regional Liaisons
• Serves as liaison for allied organization joint programs (at the direction of the Vice-Chair)
• Assists Events Adviser as available/needed
• Serves on YAF AdCom Selection Committee (during first year of term)

Participation and Funding (as annual budget allows)

• Funded to attend AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference
• AIA National Convention and Exposition
• Participates in YAF AdCom conference calls
• May be funded to represent YAF at functions (2nd year of term)

EVENTS ADVISER

2 Year Term

• Assists with Vice-Chair’s function; serves as acting Vice-Chair in Vice-Chair’s absence (2nd year of term)
• Acts as primary coordinator for YAF events/programs upon acceptance including, but not limited to, AIA Grassroots Conference, AIA National Convention and other associated events
• Works closely with YAF Staff Liaison on all event planning and coordination
• Initiates/oversees planning and coordination for upcoming year’s events
• Responsible for maintaining quarterly contact with three assigned Regional Liaisons
• Provides event records to Programs Adviser for database and Web site posting
• Organizes all funding solicitation and opportunities for major events with a AIA Staff Liaison
• Assists Programs Adviser as available/needed
• Serves on YAF AdCom Selection Committee (during first year of term)

Participation and Funding (as annual budget allows)

• Funded to attend AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference
• Funded to attend AIA National Convention and Exposition
• Participates in YAF AdCom conference calls
• May be funded to represent YAF at functions (second year of term)

COMMUNICATIONS ADVISER

1 Year Term

• Assists Public Relations Adviser as available/needed
• Sets strategic vision for all YAF communications, specifically YAF Connection, identifying article topics, authors, issue themes and setting the editorial calendar 
• Co-chairs YAF Communications Committee with YAF Public Relations Adviser including YAF Communications Editor in developing articles and assembling communication projects and YAF Book Review Editor in developing articles 
• Co-leads managing editorial calendar for monthly AIArchitect submissions, including soliciting articles as needed
• Leads time-sensitive communications projects 
• Responsible for maintaining quarterly contact with three assigned Regional Liaisons 
• Serves on YAF AdCom Selection Committee (if not nominated for an open AdCom position)

Participation and Funding (as annual budget allows)

• Funded to attend AIA Grassroots and AIA National Convention
• Participates in YAF AdCom conference calls
• May be funded to represent YAF at functions (if required)

PUBLIC RELATIONS ADVISER

1 Year Term

• Assists Communications Adviser as available/needed 
• Oversees all publicity for national YAF activities 
• Communicates YAF brand and message to groups within and outside of AIA including writing, coordinating and/or distributing articles to increase public awareness of YAF 
• Develops and maintains communications link with YAF Alumni, including coordinating invitations to YAF Legacy Luncheon at National Convention (in conjunction with YAF Staff Liaison 
• Sets strategic vision for YAF home page at www.aia.org/yaf with YAF Staff Liaison 
• Co-chairs YAF Communications Committee with YAF Public Relations Adviser including YAF Communications Editor in developing and assembling Web page content with YAF Staff Liaison 
• Coordinates exchange of articles with AIA Knowledge Communities, sponsors and other key groups 
• Leads long-lead public relations projects 
• Coordinates efforts regarding awards programs, working closely with YAF Staff Liaison 
• Responsible for maintaining quarterly contact with three assigned Regional Liaisons 
• May be asked to serve on YAF AdCom Selection Committee (if not nominated for AdCom position)

Participation and Funding (as annual budget allows)

• Funded to attend AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference
• Funded to attend AIA National Convention and Exposition
• Participates in YAF AdCom conference calls
• May be funded to represent YAF at other functions (if required)

REGIONAL LIAISON ADVISER

1 Year Term

• Maintains all communications with YAF Regional Liaisons
• Serves as primary Advisory Committee contact for Regional Liaisons and all associated events/programs
• Solicits information, discussion and participation from Regional Liaisons as necessary
• Coordinates annual Regional Liaison reports with assistance from YAF Staff Liaison
• Monitors and solicits process for keeping all YAF Regional Liaison positions filled
• Communicates with and provides info to newly appointed Regional Liaisons
• Maintains contact with College of Fellows Regional Representatives Liaison
• Responsible for maintaining quarterly contact with Regional Liaisons
• May be asked to serve on YAF AdCom Selection Committee (if not nominated for AdCom position)

Participation and Funding (as annual budget allows)

• Funded to attend AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference
• Funded to attend AIA National Convention and Exposition
• Participates in YAF AdCom conference calls

For reference only:

DUTIES OF THE CHAIR

•  Leads official national YAF functions and meetings
• Serves as primary contact for the AIA and YAF Staff Liaison
• Maintains and measures YAF mission, goals and vision in short/long range plans
• Coordinates with YAF Staff Liaison regarding current annual budget
• Oversees AdCom actions and correspondence
• Generates agenda, in conjunction with YAF Staff Liaison, for all AdCom conference calls and meetings
• Establishes and maintains contact with current national AIA President
• Maintains contact with COF Chancellor and National Associates Committee Chair
• Maintains contact and relationship with Associated General Contractors of America (“AGC”)/Young Constructors Forum (“YCF”) organization
• Responsible for maintaining quarterly contact with two assigned Regional Liaisons
• Advises Vice-Chair regarding budget preparation for upcoming year
• Serves on YAF AdCom Selection Committee
• Attends AIA/AGC Joint Committee Meeting in January of their term as Chair

Participation and Funding (as annual budget allows):

• Funded to attend AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference
• Funded to attend AIA National Convention and Exposition
• Funded to attend AIA/AGC Joint Committee meeting (January) 
• Participates in YAF AdCom conference calls 
• May be funded to attend other functions to represent the YAF

DUTIES OF THE PAST-CHAIR
(non-voting)

• Maintains continuity by serving as an adviser to YAF AdCom
• Advises on interpretation of Bylaws if requested by standing AdCom
• Serves as potential speaker for YAF events
• Coordinates YAF mentoring programs and initiatives
• Serves as primary contact with strategic partners in mentoring programs
• Works closely with YAF Staff Liaison on all program/event planning and coordination

Participation and Funding (as annual budget allows)

• Funded to attend AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference
• AIA National Convention and Exposition
• Participates in YAF AdCom conference calls
• May be funded to represent YAF at functions