A Chapter on the Go

Dear Members,

Over the past decade, AIA Dallas has grown and matured into one of the largest and most relevant AIA chapters in the United States. Today, we are the 6th largest chapter, with a membership that exceeds 2,300, offering services and programs that have continued to grow, even in a year where we had to shut down our space due to the pandemic, to position our extraordinary members for continued success.

Our growth and the current Covid-19 pandemic have challenged our capacities on many levels, especially on staff and programming opportunities. As we worked to provide you with the resources and professional development opportunities needed during this time, we removed, in most cases, or lowered, in some instances, our standard registration fees.

Stewards of your dues

AIAD has worked diligently to grow its non-dues revenue streams over the past decade. However, the modest dues increase you will see on your 2021 invoice will help cover rising operational costs and the demands of a larger, more engaged membership. Through increased sponsorship development efforts and new virtual platforms, AIA Dallas offered our members free attendance to over 50 programs and up to 50 free CEUs in 2020. The dues increase for full members will be $10, and for Associate members, $5.

AIA Dallas is a chapter on the "Go"

AIAD continues to strive to provide members diverse, relevant, and meaningful services that offer professional betterment, enlightenment, engagement, and leadership training. AIA Dallas has over 25 committees that work to provide well over 100 events, lectures, professional development, celebrations, community-based engagements, design programs, and more. Additionally, the Chapter has grown its public policy and advocacy efforts, we have established task forces and are working with agencies to increase our influence and serve as a resource to local jurisdictions. AIAD also works diligently to promote its members through awards and honors programs, project and home tours, exhibitions, Find-A-Firm FOLIO, Columns magazine, as well as through media partnerships and outreach. Our new EDI initiatives have given us a framework on how we can make improvements internally and offer resources to firms and individuals as our community and the profession seek real change. Over the past several years, Dallas members have enjoyed personal recognition at the highest level with consistently large numbers of architects elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. AIAD, through the work of its committees, has illuminated the accomplishments and work of our members in ways that they are recognized at national and state levels. We continue to look for new ways to spread our message and champion the value and expertise of our members.

Thank you once again for being a part of our Chapter. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your president this year. We look forward to a 2021 full of continued transformation and growth!

Sincerely,

María Gómez, AIA
2020 AIA Dallas President