An emerging professionals committee take on the Citizen Architect’s role

It is inspiring to live in an age when a “call to action” is becoming more and more a part of the fabric of the architecture field. The magnitude of the results of civic engagement depends on all of us. Many of the impactful movements around the country started as small, grassroots efforts. What are now nationwide initiatives in the AIA, such as the 2030 Challenge, were originally proposed resolutions by components. It is through our civic engagements that we make real-life changes, which can start from simply picking up the phone and talking to our government officials or visiting their offices. It is important to talk to these leaders about issues facing the architecture field, educating them on what architects do and how we can help our communities, and policies that would affect the health, safety, and welfare of constituents. Having emerging professionals more involved in AIA Grassroots and civic engagement is vital to continuing the pipeline of meaningful changes to the profession. One of the AIA Pennsylvania Emerging Professionals Committee’s focuses this year is to promote more emerging professionals to be Citizen Architects.

The kickoff to AIA National Grassroots 2021 was Capitol Hill Day and was a great introduction to speaking to the federal legislators of Pennsylvania. Every year, this conference lays the groundwork for the big “ask” and best practices for congressional meetings, and it is a great precursor to AIA Pennsylvania Architects Action Day.

Few of the Emerging Professional Committee members took part in the 2021 Grassroots Capitol Hill Day, and this prompted a discussion within the committee. We were inspired to get more committee members involved, so we decided to host a happy hour event called “Your First Call to a Legislator.” The event was an after-hours happy hour with four panelists: former government affairs chair and 2018 AIA Pennsylvania president, Scott Compton, AIA; Amal Mahrouki, director of legislative affairs and chief lobbyist at AIA Pennsylvania; and two members from the EPiC Committee, Megan Henry and Jeremiah Woodring. The happy hour was geared toward emerging professionals who had never participated in advocacy, Grassroots or Architects Action Day, or members who are uneasy with making phone calls to state officials or participating in advocacy. To start the event, Henry and Woodring shared their personal experience at Grassroots and Architects Action Day.

I vividly remember my first Grassroots, Henry stated; I was one of hundreds of AIA members dropped off in front of the U.S. Capitol along First Street, snapping photos of one another carrying our “Citizen Architect” portfolios. I remember walking toward the entry for a briefing on the topics we would be discussing with each of our respective representatives. The first meeting included 15 of us crammed into a conference room

to share our perspectives; easy peasy, I thought. The second meeting, we decided to split up, each tackling a portion of the briefings to discuss, no problem! Finally, it was just me and the best back-up team one could ask for, including Compton and Mahrouki. I was so nervous I was sweating. I had never spoken with a representative before, nor did I have experience in the topics we were discussing with them — but suddenly the importance of this moment clicked. This was bigger than me; I was representing the present needs and future of over 3,000 members.

My “aha” moment gave me confidence to do more, to advocate more, to have a seat at the table. Since then, I have made strides within the AIA to advocate for myself, emerging professionals, and associate members. The biggest lesson I learned is that if there is something you are passionate about, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call your legislator! They want to learn from their constituents, we can educate them on topics they might not be aware of, and we can continuously serve as a resource to them.

Woodring shared, In 2019, I traveled to our state’s capital with a colleague on a whim, to participate in my first Architects Action Day. This trip came only days after I reached out to AIA Pennsylvania about my interest in legislative affairs. I always knew I had an interest in government, and luckily I had a mentor who helped me find an outlet that combined this interest with my profession. Upon our arrival in Harrisburg, I remember feeling anxious and intimidated, which only escalated once I saw the Capitol. As I was handed issue briefs on topics I knew little to nothing about, I found myself meeting other AIA members at a rapid-fire pace. Was I really ready to talk to legislators? Thankfully, the inspirational leaders at AIA Pennsylvania helped me get acquainted quickly, pairing me with two veteran members with years of experience, Compton and Steve Krug.

At this point, I was able to relax a bit, and I began to observe how they talked with our legislators. We were able to speak with and visit more than a dozen representatives and senators. Fairly quickly, I realized that legislators are a lot like architects. They work with communities, leaders, and one another to make sure several vastly different systems (industries) come together for a common goal: a more prosperous Pennsylvania. Most of the conversations opened my eyes to how much these topics can make a huge impact for our profession, while other conversations revolved around what defines a community. From this day on, I knew I had gotten myself involved in something special.

I now always look for opportunities to talk with my representatives and senators. Architects Action Day and Grassroots provide us with these opportunities, both of which I now participate in. Even when it’s not about a specific topic, the conversation provides the chance to build relationships. My representatives have even recommended some local groups with which I can get further involved in my immediate community. It is critical that emerging professionals participate in advocacy and legislative affairs. After all, these are the forces that will affect our practice and future opportunities. After Henry and Woodring shared their experience with the group, Mahrouki and Compton provided the attendees with some tips and tricks to keep in mind when talking to the legislators. The panelists expressed the importance of just getting to know your legislators and relating to them on a personal level. The attendees were encouraged to leave their personal politics behind and focus on the issues affecting the profession.

The event resulted in doubling the turnout of emerging professionals compared to the past year’s AIA Pennsylvania Architects Action Day.

Bea Spolidoro, AIA, LEED Green Associate, WELL AP, who attended the happy hour event and participated in her first Architects Tele-Action Day, summarized her call with a local legislator: “It was a good introduction. I spoke about what I have been doing in the past year, my interest in sustainable architecture and healthy buildings. Representative Frankel said that he is aware of the important role architects play, and he has some connections with AIA Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania. We talked about affordable housing and the upcoming infrastructure bill. The emphasis of my message was on how to build healthy communities, focusing on long-term solutions and educating people. Last but not least, I introduced the Issue on Anti-Indemnification and sent it via email, too.”

Because the happy hour turnout was well received, EPiC plans to host events like it every year to engage more people. The shift to a virtual world this past year has taught us a lot, and at EPiC, we want to bring more focus to our duties and responsibilities regarding civic engagements as citizens. We look forward to AIA Pennsylvania District Days, a follow-up conversation from Architect Tele-Action Day, with government officials in July. AIA Pennsylvania’s EPiC continues to get more emerging professionals excited and engaged about connecting with their legislators to create change.

Megan Henry, Assoc. AIA,

Henry is a project designer at MKSD Architects. Henry serves as the AIA Pennsylvania regional associate director and is the AIA Eastern Pennsylvania president-elect.

Parva Markiw, AIA, LEED Green Associate

Markiw is an architect at DesignGroup in Pittsburgh. Markiw is also AIA Pennsylvania’s Emerging Professionals Committee chair.

Jeremiah Woodring, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP

Woodring is an architect at HOK in Philadelphia. Woodring also serves on the AIA Pennsylvania Government Affairs Committee and is the advocacy director on the AIA Emerging Professionals Committee.