Advance your Career – Volunteer!

Posted on

AIA Pennsylvania is now accepting applications for the National Associates Committee 2024 – 2025 STAR (State/Territory Associate Representative)

This is a great leadership role opportunity to challenge the issues recent graduates and young professionals face as they navigate the next steps in their careers. Enabling you to be an active participant in changing and shaping the future of the profession and to grow your network with NAC, YAF, and AIA regionally and nationally.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss the position with their Regional Representative to AIA Strategic Council or the current Young Architect Representative, a.k.a YAR, to fully understand the responsibilities prior to submitting an application.

Qualifications: 

  • Associate AIA Member in good standing 

Demographic Conditions

  • Must be an AIA member in good standing.
  • Must be unlicensed (Associate AIA member) at the time of selection.
  • Must be from a state not currently represented. 
  • Preference to women, ethnic minorities, and younger members, currently underrepresented. 
  • Preference to volunteers who help achieve a diversity of firm size, age, structure, and service area/project types. 

Term Commitment:

  • (2) years

National Roles/Responsibilities:

  • Be a key conduit for information and support between associate AIA members at AIA chapters within your state and the NAC. 
  • Provide constructive feedback on AIA national’s progress in delivering value to associate AIA members.
  • Serve as ambassador for associate AIA engagement within your state. 

Activities of STAR

  • Every month this position will require 2-3 hours of your time and participation in up to two calls. 
    • STARs commit to one work group for the year, which includes varying amounts of personal time working on projects (1-4 hours estimated monthly), and attend a monthly 1-hour conference call to report on progress. 
    • STARs commit to attend a quarterly full-committee 1–2-hour call. These calls range in topic but are intended to help you learn about AIA resources and network with your peers. 

(These calls will allow STARs to understand the scope of the AIA and what’s currently happening. This is also when reps will be able to alert the AdCom to anything of importance from your specific state or local chapters.)

  • Serve as a liaison to the state chapter, local chapters, and local NAC (or similar) groups in that area.
    • Build relationships with state and local leaders i.e., component staff, board leadership, local NAC chapter/group leaders.
    • Inform state and local leaders, as well as Associates, of AIA national activities and resources.
    • Collect and share the needs and concerns of Associates in your state with the NAC AdCom. 
  • Disseminate pertinent communications to state leaders and peers.
  • Provide feedback via short surveys approximately 2-3 times per year
  • Complete virtual orientation materials upon acceptance. 
  • Participate in the NAC Annual Meeting (travel and lodging paid by AIA National) typically held in Q1.
  • Participate in NAC sponsored events at the AIA Leadership Summit and AIA Conference, if possible.

Participate in quarterly “AIA Leadership Exchange” calls with AIA National board members.

State Responsibilities

  • Attend monthly EPiC conference calls (1 hour during lunch)
  • Attend AIA Pennsylvania board meetings (4 or 5 a year)
  • Attend Grassroots and Architects Action Day
  • Possibly attend AIA Large States Conference (to be decided by EPiC, between YAR and STAR)

Application Requirements

Letter of Intent – From Applicant. Indicate understanding of the position, qualifications/experience, and reasons for seeking election. Limit one-page.

Resume – Indicate education, employment history, organizations, activities, honors, and awards. Limit two pages.

Recommendation letter – Indicate Nominee’s qualifications for the RAD position. Limit one-page.

Deadline

Completed applications must be submitted by email to pmmarkiw@gmail.com by October 31st, 2023.

Selection Process

The AIA PA Emerging Professional and Development Leadership Committee will make a selection in December 2023.

NAC Funding

National AIA covers the costs for Regional Associate Director travel, food, and lodging to attend the NAC/YAF Annual Meeting (if in person). 

AIA PA Funding

AIA PA will cover the expenses to attend the National AIA Convention and Grassroots. 

Further information from NAC:

2023 AIA State Territory Associate Representative (STAR) Position Description.docx – Google Docs