AIA Continental Europe Board Meeting Minutes

Milan, 20 January 2008

Attendees:

Voting members:

Non-voting members:

1. Welcome

President Steven Scamihorn, AIA called the board meeting to order at 9.30. Seven chapter members eligible to vote were present, as well as two representatives by proxy. The minimum quorum was reached.

2. London meeting notes:

Before the motion to approve the notes, the following items were discussed:

2.5 Administrative assistant (AA): Should the elevation of membership status for Elizabeth Heudebourg to full AIA have any impact on her role as Administrative Assistant? Both Sandra and Alan suggested that Elizabeth’s status should not have any bearing with regards to her salary. Maureen suggested that the Chapter bylaws should state “designated” instead of “employed” with regards to the position’s scope of work (AIACE Bylaws art. 6.342 and 6.352). Richard clarified that a draft of the scope of work for this position was previously completed. It was agreed that Richard send this draft to Ray for his review, and that any clarifications, with regards to the scope of work, be made during the next Chapter Meeting. In addition, it was also agreed that Richard ask Elizabeth to submit a summary of hours and scope to review.

2.6 Continuing education: Richard clarified Dominique’s position with regards to CES credits and small section events: Due to the experience of not having enough time to complete the CES accreditation process for the Turin event, Dominique explained that: LU credits can be obtained from AIA for small section events by registering directly on-line by using the web site. Certified provider CES learning units can be obtained from section or chapter conferences, through the help of continuing education services provided for by Dominique, only if the necessary information and procedures to guarantee those credits are completed in the required timeline by section event organisers.

3.1 “International Associate AIA” title:

The issue whether to substitute or maintain this title was discussed by board members. Nóra expressed that, as an International Assoc. AIA member, she feels that the current title is appropriate for her status. It was agreed that Steve would send a letter to Ellen Delage (Director of International Relations) at National stating that the current title is appropriate for member architects qualified for practice in a country other than the USA, and that AIACE did not find it demeaning or belittling in any way to the status of those members.

Motion: Upon completion of the above discussions, a motion was made to approve the London meeting notes.

Vote: Unanimously approved.

3. Treasurer’s report:

3.1. Chapter Financial Situation:

3.2. Earnings from section events: The Board agreed that left over money from previous section events should be used as seed money for future events of the section that earned the money.

3.3. Dues Amount: Differences in chapter dues between the Institute payment ($100) versus local-only membership charges (€100) was discussed. It was agreed that no changes to the current system will be made.

3.4. Earn interest on French account: The Board approved the principal of investing excess funds. It was agreed that Helen Giblin, as Treasurer, should investigate details regarding the possibility of one, two, three, and /or up to six month investments and relative returns.

4. [Not used]

5. Hans Buchwald’s membership:

The proposal to wave his €100 membership dues indefinitely was briefly discussed.

Motion: A motion was made in favour of waving membership dues.

Vote: Unanimously approved.

6. Section reports:

6.1. Ray Spano, AIA, (France): In October 2007 a small group of members of the French section visited a major historic re-use project nearing completion in Paris designed by JM Charpentier, Honorary Fellow of the AIA. Earlier in the year members visited various architectural practices in Paris for presentations of their work and discussion of how their practice is organized and managed. Although these events are scheduled at the end of the day, attendance is generally poor. This raises the question of whether it is justified to request our hosts to consecrate their time. For the moment, it is decided to continue to organize these visits, aiming for a variety of high-profile and younger firms, with a possible one-day or half-day conference during 2008. I was also agreed that all such events should be posted on the Chapter website in order for visiting members from other sections to attend.

6.2. Sandra Zettersten, AIA, (Germany): No events have taken place. Sandra expressed the difficulty in getting a decent attendance for something like a one-day section event, especially due to the fact that members are widely distributed in Germany, and for the inconvenience that a member has to travel in order to attend a small event. Such a reality proves very difficult for all the effort taken to organise such events (reference was made to Maureen’s experience in Switzerland; the programme was excellent, only that it did not attract enough attendees). A solution could be to organise a mini-conference, to attract members and to justify a trip taken.

6.3. Betrand de Sénépart, AIA, (Switzerland) not present: No report was given.

6.4. Gerry Meagher, AIA, (Northern Europe) not present: No report was given.

6.5. Steven Miller, FAIA, (Southern Europe) not present: No report was given.

6.6. Esteban Cruz, Associate AIA (Italy): The Italy section is planning their next event in Milan and Tuscany for 2008. The event will consist of a two-day event, starting with a visit to a shopping centre renovation and expansion project in Milan (with presentations by designers and technicians), continuing the next day with a visit to a new winery in San Casciano Val di Pesa, Tuscany (currently under construction) designed by an important Italian architectural design firm. After the experience of Como and Turin, the event’s organisation will emphasise on preparing CES credit package for Dominique’s approval in order to guarantee professional credits to participating members. In addition, another objective of this conference is to keep the participation fees as low as possible, and to have the event sponsored as much as possible. With regards to the timing of the event, most members suggested that the best time to have the event would be during the last week of September or the first week of October due to more convenient air travel rates and availability of members to make trips during that time of year.

6.7. Nóra Demeter, International Associate AIA (Eastern Europe): Nóra added the importance of how a mini-conference is more practical for her section considering that it covers a larger geographical region.

7. Board positions:

7.1. France and Germany section director confirmations: Sandra confirmed that she will be completing Dieter’s unfinished term, which remains at one year.

7.2. Publications & records committee: Richard confirmed his nomination as chair of this committee, and was thus appointed by the president.

7.3. Nominating committee for the board positions in 2009: Karl will prepare a slate; it was agreed that anyone who is interested in serving on the next board, should contact Karl.

8. Athens Conference for 2008:

8.1. Comments: Sandra expressed concern that the budget is not as detailed as it should be (remembering her experiences with Porto). Items listed in the budget should be broken down, because she fears that costs could rise during the event, and that AIACE may receive more bills than expected. Steve is to go through all the budget line items and to send Elias comments. A review of Elias’ programme was made; the following were points of discussion:

  1. A suggestion was made if possibly moving the Acropolis tour (2.5 LU’s) from Sunday morning to Friday afternoon, substituting the trade show “EnergyRes” visit (which has 0 LU’s). This was brought up, not withstanding the fact that the programme may probably not be able to be changed.
  2. A point was made about the promotion of the event in AIA National. It was agreed that everyone makes an effort to connect with their individual contacts in the US to promote the Athens event).
  3. Nóra suggested to approach local sponsors who are sustainable-design sensitive companies.
  4. Ray suggested that unassigned Lutron funds could be applied to cover
  5. conference costs.

8.2. A review of the contract draft with Erasmus Touristikes Epixiriseis (conference organiser) was made. Steve requested that board members submit all of their comments that they may have of the contract, so that he can compile a single document for our approval before sending it out to the Conference Coordinator, Elias Messinas AIA.

9. Future conferences:

Future conference event and locations were discussed, such as Manchester, Bratislava, and Israel. To follow up, Steve will send out a call for location proposals to all members.

10. Other Chapter Initiatives:

10.1. 2008 AIA Grassroots (Washington): Steve Scamihorn, Marc Di Domenico, and Richard Anderson will be present, while Tom Vonier AIA, may attend.

10.2. 2008 AIA National Convention: Steve Scamihorn will attend the AIA National Convention and will send out a call for delegates to the general AIACE membership. Marc Di Domenico’s efforts earned the chapter a travel scholarship for Grassroots, but Steve suggested that the extra funds be applied to cover expenses for Marc to attend the National Convention. The board agreed.

10.3. Oscar Niemeyer career recognition: Alan made a suggestion that Daniel petition, together with other well known and respected architects of the AIA, to formally organise a public recognition for Arch. Niemeyer.

11. Meeting adjourned

—Prepared by E. Cruz, 25 Jan 2008
 
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