Advocate in August 

AIA Pennsylvania is looking for your availability to schedule meetings with your elected officials at home in the district throughout August for District Days, our signature advocacy event.

District Days is our annual opportunity to mobilize to introduce and remind lawmakers and their staff of architects’ contributions and expertise, offer AIA Pennsylvania as a resource, and inform them of our position on the issues moving in the legislature that impact both practice and the communities we serve.

Over 50 new legislators, many unfamiliar with architects and our issues, took office in January for the 2023-2024 legislative session. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned advocate, we need you to take a summer break to advocate!

register

pictured left to right above: Daryn Edwards, AIA; Jeremiah Woodring, AIA; Al Comly, AIA; Rep. Christina Sappey; Stephen Heinz, AIA;  Catherine (Katie) Broh, AIA

Steps for Advocacy Success

Here’s a step-by-step review of the District Days pre-meeting action items that will set you up for success.

1. Identify Your Legislators

Identify your state legislators (Senator and Representative) by inputting your home address in the “Find Your Legislator” feature. You will be asked to identify your legislators at registration.

2. Register with Your Availability 

We encourage you to meet in person in your legislators’ district office or host a “take-your-legislator” to work visit. Register yourself or your office* with your preferences and availability for August by Friday, July 14. 

3. Register for the District Days Primer

We will host a preparatory webinar on Tuesday, July 25, at 11:00 am to cover a step-by-step roadmap for your meetings and get you up to speed on the issues impacting your practice that need your voice. On-demand replay access will be made available to those that cannot attend.

We anticipate the priority issues will be those listed as items 1 – 3.
1 | Statute of Repose
2 | Accessibility Provisions and the Uniform Construction Code
3 | Mandatory Continuing Education
4 | School Construction Funding
5 |  High-Performance Buildings

4. Review the Blueprint

In July, we will distribute a District Days “Blueprint” to participants, covering the issues and additional step-by-step guidance for in-meeting, post-meeting, and some helpful dos and don’ts.

5. Schedule a Pre-Meeting (if applicable)

Hosting your legislator(s) in your office? Do some reconnaissance to determine if your colleagues are constituents and invite them to participate in the visit/meeting. If you are meeting with your legislator in a group or hosting them in your office, schedule a pre-meeting with all participants/colleagues to adapt the blueprint to work for your group and determine who will be responsible for introducing the issues.

*If you are a Principal or Firm Leader, consider hosting your legislator(s) at your office. Legislators are elected to serve you based on your residential address. Suppose your legislator(s)’ territory does not include your firm’s office. In that case, we will look at several factors before extending the invite. A firm visit will allow your legislator to see firsthand how your work impacts clients and communities in their district, throughout the Commonwealth, and beyond.

Register by completing the form below.