Interim Executive Vice President Letter: November 2020

11.02.2020

Greetings,

As we enter a new season we, as a community and as a nation, are facing new challenges. So before I formally begin my monthly update to our members, I wanted to first and foremost remind you: VOTE.

Election day is tomorrow, and while architects are working with community members to keep our neighbors safe throughout the pandemic, it is also our responsibility to exercise our most basic civil rights. If you already voted, please make sure your co-workers, clients, interns, and firm leaders have a plan to vote by tomorrow evening. If you need assistance in finding your polling location or with voter registration (you can register in-person on election day in Illinois!), click here. Our commitment is to creating a more resilient, sustainable and equitable world—exercising our right to vote is a major part of transforming that commitment into reality.

2021 is coming up quickly and we still have much planned for the remainder of the year:

  • Designight 2020: A virtual celebration takes place on November 13. You can register here to watch the party—registration is required for viewing!
  • Annual Meeting: Save the date for December 15, 2020. We’ll be recognizing recipients of the Professional Excellence Awards, Student Awards in Architecture and more! An invite is coming soon.
  • AIA Illinois ReConnect Conference, November 5-6. AIA Illinois has put together a great lineup for their annual conference; check it out and register here.


We also want to remind you to continue sending your project news to Chicago Architect magazine editor, Anjulie Rao, for upcoming issues as we begin planning 2021 editorial calendars. We want to feature your work! Send your announcements to arao@aiachicago.org.

Finally, I want to emphasize the importance of safety in our upcoming holidays. We encourage our community to wear your masks if you leave your house, wash your hands often and continue to social-distance. We are very excited about the architect-led projects popping up across Chicago that help encourage safe outdoor gatherings, and we would love to hear your ideas about how you will enjoy community gatherings in safe environments—whether in your own backyard, in one of our many beautiful boulevards or if you’re designing something new. Share your visions, ideas or sketches with us by emailing membervoices@aiachicago.org.

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

John