Matthew Fochs, the director of design and outreach programs with the American Institute of Architecture Students wrote this to everyone here at the AIA national component headquarters recently: "President Barak Obama has declared that this year will mark the inaugural “9/11 Day of Service.” In Washington the day is being organized by the Greater DC Cares program. I am thinking about participating and wanted to see if anyone else from the office would like to join me (I know a few of you are traveling at some point that day). You can read more or sign up for the day of service by visiting the Web site."
Photo: AIAS Students work on their Freedom by Design project.
Matt—like most architecture graduates—has been community-involved his whole life. And he has co-joined the AIAS and AIA in a program begun here by AIA Meetings Registration Director Tonya Horsley, CMP, whose "Legacy Program" seeks to include some community enrichment program to all AIA activities at the local, state, and national level.
The idea for this particular program came during the AIA conventions of the mid-1990s, with 1997 AIA President Raj Barr-Kumar, FAIA, proclaiming that the AIA at its annual meetings would be committed to leaving something more significant behind than a streetful of scrapped paper.
Activities since then have spanned from Habitat for Humanity house construction and community planning (deeper still are the R/UDAT, SDAT, and Disaster Assistance programs of the AIA Communities by Design initiative), the Shadow an Architect events, the Solar Decathlon coming up again this October, or gestures as simple as donating unused hotel toiletries to local shelters.
Reaching out and giving back ... that's a big part of what makes most architects passionate about their profession. It's only fitting that we strive together to continue that legacy. Thanks for the reminder, Matt.
Comments (10)
Hows it Going, You should probably know this specific blog post is not displaying properly on my Motorola Slvr. Although, I’m now visiting this article on my notebook, Thanks...
Posted by buy acai berry | August 9, 2010 9:16 PM
Posted on August 9, 2010 21:16
Thanks anon. Your right of course, conservatives are about money, that is the interest they speak to, so clearly that is the only thing that matters to them when they communicate here.
Regarding the use of my previous blog, it's purpose is to celebrate our differences and here like design community where it was written, the raging debate is a good thing. That said There is a responsibility to engage the issues as an architectural professional otherwise there is no debate and no value added.
In my world people are more important that dollars. I need dollars as badly as anyone else. I am a conservative by the way, i believe everyones point of view should be heard. Most members have already heard you.
Perhaps we could reduce the babble by just defining the "no more taxes" ranting, as comment X. They could save time and money by simply posting, "dito X" in every response in every blog topic. Not to be snide gentlemen, but if you see my point, there is no value added by you to this blog nothing relevant to the discussion or debate.
Let the trees grow here as well.
TLW
Posted by Terry L. Walker, Architect | September 11, 2009 4:46 PM
Posted on September 11, 2009 16:46
Well I for one am happy to see someone attempting to generate positive energy behind something that caused so many pain - because let's face it - national holidays are not utilized as "a day of solemn remembrance" anymore, but rather a day off from school or work.
Posted by Different Anonymous | September 4, 2009 11:36 AM
Posted on September 4, 2009 11:36
anon is anon, I guess...
Clergy Ballard is well known and not anonymous.
Follow this link to a series of audio excerpts of the green jobs czar van jones' vision of progress for these united states:
www.breitbart.tv/green-jobs-czar-says-white-polluters-steered-poison-into-minority-communities/
You see...
in today's political landscape, absurd statements from those who want to radically change our communities are always examples of reasonable debate, whereas, any justifiable statement from a conservative can only be, well, a rant.
my rant for the day:
H.R. 450
frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h450ih.txt.pdf
Posted by Clergy Ballard | September 2, 2009 5:07 PM
Posted on September 2, 2009 17:07
CB:
Are you anon.? If not, let anon. speak for him/herself.
Posted by Michael Adams | September 2, 2009 3:27 PM
Posted on September 2, 2009 15:27
re: conservative rant
spectator.org/blog/2009/08/29/van-jones-and-his-stormtrooper
www.examiner.com/x-19768-Springfield-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m9d2-Obama-green-job-czar-Van-Jones-uses-profanity-to-describe-Republicans
Posted by Clergy Ballard | September 2, 2009 1:57 PM
Posted on September 2, 2009 13:57
Dear Anonymous:
To what specific "conservative rant about taxes or denial of the climate science" might you be referring.
Are you sure you are in the right blog?
Posted by Michael Adams | August 29, 2009 7:34 PM
Posted on August 29, 2009 19:34
The following was written in June of 2006 by Terry L. Walker, AIA During the debate about what should be constructed at the site of the 9-11 terrorist attack.
Read this..
"This is a crucible from which a new world symbol will rise, an event and a place of tremendous symbolic power. If it is in the nature of that which is mixed there, in that crucible, to empower injustice and self intertest at the expense of the common man then it is probable that this attitude will be an enduring reality when built. If that is what is so, where it is conceived and in the manner in which it is delivered then that is likely to be it's enduring character."
"Such an error would hand a great symbolic victory to a ruthless enemy."
"But it is not so, there is no shortage of debate or deliberation, no shortage of concensus building efforts, or vision from any stakeholder. A park or a tower or both; regardless of the form it takes, there will rise from the crucible the symbol of an open democracy where all men can speak openly, live freely, worship god freely and choose to serve according to their beliefs and values. This is a monument to giants who were disguised as ordinary people. This is a monument to those qualities of human character embodied in the lives of these giants who chose to serve and to live and die there according to the values upon which this nation was conceived and built. In my view the raging debate and endless diatribe are the triumphant thunder of a free society and a powerful and successful democracy at work. The power is in the diversity and deep and passionate unity by millions who do care."
"The trees will grow, everywhere."
It my view that we are great nation with no shortage of inspiration, capacity or genius. It is sad to see, therefore from intelligent men, every subject spontaneously erupt into the conservative rant about taxes or denial of the climate science.
Posted by Anonymous | August 28, 2009 4:49 PM
Posted on August 28, 2009 16:49
I agree with Mr. Adams. I am always amazed at how tone deaf segments of the AIA can be at times on many fronts, needlessly weighing in on myriad unrelated topics, rather than focusing on the needs of the profession.
Should we, going forward, make Presidents Day a day of mourning for balance? How about tying Service to Labor Day?
Finally, does the profession benefit, in the long run, from a bankrupt federal government, or a radically overtaxed citizenry? Unsustainable indeed...
Posted by Dale | August 28, 2009 12:54 PM
Posted on August 28, 2009 12:54
What a motto: "Together we will transform a day of sorrow into a day of service!"
Individuals may do as they please of course. I would not like to see the AIA's name associated with this absurd appropriation of a day of solemn remembrance.
If transforming is a priority, BHO and Congress might wish to consider putting an end to the profligate (one might even say unsustainable) spending of taxpayer money.
Posted by Michael Adams | August 28, 2009 8:39 AM
Posted on August 28, 2009 08:39