The AIA Minnesota Board of Directors has the opportunity to appoint a Minnesota member to serve on the National Associates Committee (NAC). The NAC Representative will be appointed to a two-year term, serving on the NAC beginning on January 1, 2022.

National Associates Committee

The NAC is a committee of the AIA whose primary focus is to serve the Associate membership in the advancement of their careers. By promoting excellence, providing information and leadership, fostering inclusiveness, and encouraging individual, community, and professional development, the NAC seeks to integrate the growing Associate community of the profession into a strong voice of the Institute. The NAC works strategically with the AIA Center for Emerging Professionals to develop initiatives relevant to and in the advancement of Associates in the Institute.

Roles and Responsibilities

Serving as NAC Representative can be a very rewarding experience and an opportunity to take on a larger leadership role within AIA, while allowing you to be actively engaged in shaping the future of the profession and growing your network with NAC, Young Architects Forum (YAF), and the AIA regionally and nationally. However, it is important to be fully aware of and able to fulfill the responsibilities and time commitments that are required.

The NAC Representative is responsible for gathering information about issues facing Associates in Minnesota and disseminating information about national/regional activities and resources for use at the local level. Representatives serve as a vital link between Associates and the national organization. Much of the ongoing work is done via email and over the phone, but up to three (3) events per year are strongly encouraged (AIA National and AIA Minnesota cover all required travel costs for these events). The responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Serve on the NAC full committee
  • Connect with local Emerging Professional (EP) leaders throughout the four states and serve as a resource
  • Disseminate information to local EP leaders about national/regional activities, best practices, and resources available
  • Serve as point of contact to the NAC
  • Maintain regular contact with other representatives as appropriate to facilitate communication and dissemination of information and knowledge sharing
  • Participate in workgroup initiatives and calls
  • Attend up to three NAC events per year (AIA National and AIA Minnesota cover all required travel costs for these events):
    • NAC Annual Meeting (mandatory)
    • AIA Grassroots
    • AIA Conference on Architecture
  • Participate in full quarterly committee conference calls

Eligibility

Candidates must be an Associate AIA Minnesota member in good standing and must not be licensed at the time of submission (may become licensed during the two-year term). Candidates shall be engaged with the issues unique to their chapter and state and maintain and develop a robust network within these.

Selection Process & Deadline

AIA Minnesota members have been made aware of the open position through Matrix and outreach to previously interested members.  Anyone interested should submit the following by December 6, 2021:

  • Letter of intention on why you are interested in the position and what makes you an ideal candidate, including your qualifications and relevant experience.
  • Resume
  • An essay (not to exceed 400 words) describing your views on 1)the future of AIA and 2) the future of the profession

Applications should be submitted to:

Amber Allardyce
Deputy Executive Director
AIA Minnesota
105 5th Avenue South, Suite 485
Minneapolis, MN  55401                    
allardyce@aia-mn.org

Depending on the number of members interested in the position, the Review Committee will schedule interviews with a short-list of candidates in early December.

The Review Committee will submit a recommendation for the NAC Representative appointment to the AIA Minnesota Board of Directors for consideration at its meeting in December. 

The Review Committee is made up of the AIA Minnesota Executive Committee, and one current or former NAC representative from Minnesota.

Questions

Not sure about whether to apply? Want more information about the National Associates Committee or the selection process? Contact Amber Allardyce, Deputy Executive Director or Mary-Margaret Zindren, Executive Vice President.