Renewal
by Mary-Margaret Zindren, Hon. AIAMN, EVP/Executive Director of AIA Minnesota
For the past three years, I have been pre-mourning the loss of my favorite tree – a huge crabapple in my backyard.
Unlike our AIA Minnesota president, Phillip Koski, AIA, a certified expert in gardening and horticulture, I have no green thumb. So when the leaves of the crabapple started turning yellow and dropping early, I was mildly concerned, assuming it was just a bad year. Then the black spots arrived. And last spring, very few flowers bloomed and very few leaves sprouted at all. I had done some Internet research and the prognosis wasn’t good; I should have addressed the situation long before. The forums said it might be too late to save it. I was so sad about it that I suggested we cut the tree down.
My husband has always cursed the tree. It was relatively small when we first moved to our place 17 years ago so I never wanted it trimmed. As it grew, the low branches stayed low and got bigger, making mowing a harrowing experience for either of us (and I’m only 5’ 2”).
But he said, “Don’t do it. I really think it’ll come back. Just be patient. There’s dormant life in there yet.”
He convinced me. I trimmed up a few branches that were the most bare and have been waiting for this spring with fingers crossed.
This is not unlike what sometimes happens with our volunteer-led knowledge communities. A group will get started with gusto — several enthusiastic volunteer leaders propose a new group be formed, they tell their friends and colleagues and gather a critical mass. Launches go well and for years, even decades, there are regular meetings that participants find real value in; that grow their knowledge, their connections, and their careers.
And then from time to time, a key volunteer leader moves to another state, or makes a career change, or runs out of steam, or broader engagement fades due to evolving architectural practice and priorities. If similar circumstances affect yet another volunteer leader, there can be a further cascading effect and the group can go dormant.
Our Health Design Knowledge Community and Technology in Architecture Practice (TAP) Knowledge Community have been through this cycle — and, I’m happy to say, they are moving swiftly from dormancy to renewal.
The Health Design KC has been building back. Three enthusiastic co-chairs have gotten quarterly meetings off the ground – another is set for July 9 (you should come!).
The Technology in Architecture Practice KC has a new lease on life with two volunteers having stepped forward to co-lead a resurgence.
This is the time of year to consider putting yourself forward for member group leadership positions — especially if you are already involved and have experienced the value of engaging. Stepping into leadership can keep a great thing going for years to come. You can even bring a dormant group back to life.
My crabapple is blooming again. I’d forgotten how incredible it is when healthy and in full flower.
Which member group will you keep strong and growing? Which group might blossom under your leadership?