AIA’s 162nd Annual Meeting illuminates ambitious priorities for the association's future

Delegates voted to champion major action in the fight against climate change and support greater financial flexibility for AIA.  

Architects from around the world gathered to set a direction for the future of AIA at the 2019 Annual Meeting, which took place at the AIA Conference on Architecture (A’19) in Las Vegas this week. Topics corresponding with the A’19 theme “Blueprint for a Better Future” took center stage in the delegation’s discussions. Notably, a resolution introduced from the floor of the meeting received strong support. It called for AIA to continue and strengthen its efforts to engage architects in addressing the effects of climate change, which many supporters described as one of the most pressing concerns of our time. Likewise, there was strong support for a bylaws amendment that will allow the organization greater financial flexibility moving forward.

In addition to conducting the meeting’s business, 2019 President William Bates, FAIA, also announced that AIA is launching a comprehensive review of the processes by which all Honors & Award recipients are selected in an effort to promote the highest professional working standards among its members and within the profession. Bates reported that Covington & Burling, LLP, and one of its partners, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Jr., will join a team of AIA leaders to conduct the review. “We plan to work alongside AIA staff to ensure the conduct of candidates for awards and for Fellowship has been consistent with the values of the AIA and the values of the profession,” he said from the stage before delegates applauded in support of the initiative.

The following is a recap of the pieces of business discussed and voted upon at the 162^nd Annual Meeting:

Bylaws Amendments

Bylaws Amendment 19-A: Titling of Allied Members, proposed a few new options for the ways Allied members of AIA Chapters may describe themselves, allowing for more flexibility for both member and chapter communications. At the meeting, Bylaws Amendment 19-A was revised and adopted as revised with 4881 votes in favor, 257 votes against, and 30 abstentions.

Bylaws Amendment 19-B: Long-term Financial Stability and Flexibility, proposed changes to the Bylaws to govern the Institute’s financial reserves and expenditures. A proposed revision failed to pass and Bylaws Amendment 19-B was adopted with 4689 votes in favor, 531 votes against, and zero abstentions. Given this amendment’s passing, the Bylaws now provide clear guidance to the Board of Directors concerning the Institute’s reserves policies and adjust its authority with respect to Institute expenditures each year.  “The AIA has enjoyed long-standing financial health,” says AIA President William Bates, FAIA. “This important amendment to Institute Bylaws will allow our organization more flexibility in the future, so we may address unforeseen emergencies or support exciting opportunities unknown during our annual budgeting process.”

New Resolutions

Resolution 19-1: The Formation of Sections by the AIA International Region, sponsored by the AIA International Region, proposed that the Board sponsor an amendment to the Institute Bylaws to authorize the AIA International Region to form Sections for the purpose of providing services to members currently not assigned to a chapter. The resolution was referred to committee on a vote of 3020 in favor, 1751 against, and 121 abstentions.

Resolution 19-11: Resolution for Urgent and Sustained Climate Action, sponsored by Betsy del Monte, FAIA, and fifty members of the Institute passed with 4860 voting in favor, 312 voting against, and 28 abstaining. The new piece of business proposed that AIA prioritize and support urgent climate action to exponentially accelerate the “decarbonization” of buildings, the building sector, and the built environment. In addition to calling for revisions to AIA Public Policies and Position Statements, the resolution advocated that the Institute engage its full membership, clients, lawmakers, and communities in a multi-year education, practice, and advocacy strategy.

Additional Resolutions

Resolution 19-2: Appreciation to Retiring Strategic Council Representatives and Board Members adopted by acclamation.

Resolution 19-3: Appreciation to Architects of Disaster Resilience adopted by acclamation

Resolution 19-4: Appreciation to Members, Fifty Years adopted by acclamation

Resolution 19-5: Recognition of Newly Licensed Members adopted by acclamation

Resolution 19-6: Recognition of Component Executive and National Staff Service Anniversaries adopted by acclamation

Resolution 19-7: Appreciation to the Host Chapter adopted by acclamation

Resolution 19-8: Appreciation to Convention and Conference-related Committees adopted by acclamation

Resolution 19-9: Appreciation to Exhibitors adopted by acclamation

Resolution 19-10: Appreciation of William J. Bates, FAIA, and Maggie McDermott adopted by acclamation

Resolutions adopted at the annual meeting will not become effective unless ratified by the Board of Directors later this year. To the degree resolutions call for amendments to the Institute Bylaws, the actions they seek would not become effective unless delegates at a future annual meeting adopt the appropriate Bylaws amendments.

Kathleen M. O’Donnell is a writer/editor at AIA, specializing in practice and professional development topics and Institute coverage.