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Connecting Communities through Non-Profit Leadership: An Architect’s Perspective
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CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH NON-PROFIT LEADERSHIP: AN ARCHITECT’S PERSPECTIVE
by By: Sarah D. Bruce, AIA, Executive Director, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity
This statement, which I first posed to myself in 2015, has followed me throughout my career.
AN ALTERNATE JOURNEY
Like many aspiring architects, I graduated with my Bachelor of Architecture degree excited to join a firm, study hard, and pursue licensure. Unlike many other graduates, however, I eventually came to understand that the “traditional” career path for an architect was not the right fit for me. I still wanted to get licensed; I wanted to be able to say “I am an Architect” legally and truthfully, yet I felt a strong desire to give back to my community. After three years of working for an architecture firm, where I gained required experience hours that I needed prior to obtaining licensure, my desire to make a difference pushed me out of my comfort zone. I applied to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA1 with Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, a oneyear engagement to help increase capacity at the non-profit organization. The year flew by and I became more engaged in a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. I became so involved in the mission and work that I decided to stay on with Syracuse Habitat for two additional years after the completion of my AmeriCorps service. Those years were a considerable point of growth for me in my career—I studied and passed all of my AREs, I learned more about the inner workings of a non-profit organization, and I especially learned about the importance of building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Additionally, I joined my local AIA Board, connecting me with the architectural community while I took what I later came to learn was an “alternate career path.” After receiving my architecture license, I felt compelled to return to practice to utilize my degree and license in a more traditional manor.
A house in progress with Syracuse Habitat for Humanity. Much of our work is completed with volunteer labor to help keep houses affordable.
I worked for a small, local firm in Syracuse, NY for about three years as a Project Architect. I was able to work on a variety of project types, including multi-family affordable housing, higher education, and medical centers. Then, last summer, I learned that the previous Executive Director of Syracuse Habitat for Humanity was retiring at the end of the year, and I simply could not stop thinking about the opportunity. My heart had never left Habitat, and I couldn’t help feeling like my entire career, alternative paths and all, had prepared and positioned me to apply. Today, I am both a Registered Architect and the new Executive Director of Syracuse Habitat for Humanity. I’ve only been the Executive Director for two months, but I already know that I will have greater opportunities to positively impact my community in this role than I ever would have as a Registered Architect alone.
CITIZEN ARCHITECT AS NON-PROFIT LEADER
The term “Citizen Architect” is a title informally bestowed on AIA members, given with great pride and representative of a call to action for Architects to take a greater role in the civic advocacy of their communities.2 While a Citizen Architect was defined in 2008 by the AIA National Board of Directors as comprising of four main elements, I think the first is incredibly important: “uses his/her insights, talents, training, and experience to contribute meaningfully, beyond self, to the improvement of the community and human condition.2” While the Citizen Architect is typically thought of as serving in elected office or engaging in civic activism, I think this definition also speaks to opportunities for Citizen Architects to act as Non-Profit Leaders. The ”insights, talents, training, and experience” that architects and design professionals possess are extremely valuable outside the world of traditional practice. Often working with minimal resources, non-profits can benefit from architects’ problem-solving and outside-the-box thinking to bring new approaches to common sticking points. These skills lend themselves to the grit and determination is takes to become the Executive Director or CEO of a non-profit organization. While not for everyone, I think my career in architecture led me down the exact path I needed to become an Executive Director. However, a career shift is not for everyone. Much like architects need a seat at the table as discussions on Climate Change continue at the state and federal levels, Boards of Directors of non-profits need architects to fill a seat at their table. Architects have a unique perspective and a specialty skillset that can aid many different non-profits, uplifting their communities in the process. I encourage everyone to find ways to utilize their unique skills and give back to their community. I also believe that the more we broaden the definition of the term Citizen Architect, the more positive community impact we can have as a profession.
THROUGH SHELTER, WE EMPOWER
Strong and stable homes build strong and stable communities. This is why I’ve found no better answer to my opening statement than my work with Syracuse Habitat for Humanity. My new role as Executive Director will allow me to leave my mark on the built environment in the form of safe and adequate housing built in partnership with members of my local community.
A group of volunteers on a build site - they make our work possible!
People in our community and all over the world partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. With our help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve to have a decent life. We deserve to feel strength and stability day after day. We deserve to know we have the power to take care of ourselves and build our own futures. At Habitat for Humanity, this is what unites us. Through shelter, we empower. Our shared vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Because you, me, we — we’re all humans. And every single one of us deserves the opportunity for a better future.3 l
A completed Syracuse Habitat for Humanity house that provides a home for a local family.
ARCHITECTS CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
As a leader of a non-profit, a Board member of a non-profit, or a Board or committee member of their local AIA Chapter, architects are uniquely suited to help connect their communities in a multitude of ways. Architects and design professionals should not underestimate the value of their time, their voice, or their ability to make financial contributions and in-kind donations of services. We’re all better together, and I challenge each architect and design professional to consider this question—how can you use your skills to help connect your community? l
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1 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior volunteers serve directly with nonprofit organizations to tackle our nation’s most pressing challenges and to strengthen communities across our nation. – americorps.gov
2 https://www.aia.org/resources/194196-citizen-architect-handbook
3 www.habitat.org
American Flag: Syracuse Habitat for Humanity works with people from all walks of life, including Veterans, to make home ownership affordable.
To learn more about the work of Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, please visit syracusehabitat.org.
Sarah D. Bruce, AIA is a Registered Architect and the Executive Director of Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit focused on affordable home ownership in Onondaga and Madison counties. Sarah is a Past President of the Central New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and still serves on the local Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of Directors of AIA New York State and sits on the Budget and Finance Committee.
