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February 2011 Archives

February 7, 2011

020711 AIA/CES Providers – What is a Leader?

Recently, I participated in the AIA’s annual Grassroots conference.  It’s a conference the AIA organizes so that leaders within the AIA Chapters can network and receive tools that focus on how to be effective leaders within their chapters, and how to be effective leaders on behalf of the architecture profession in community politics.  The words, *leader* and *leadership* were tossed around like footballs before during and after the conference, and I’m grateful for that.  It made me evaluate my interpretation of the word.

One of the ways a person is a leader is if that person encourages collaboration.  Leaders break down the barriers between disparate or competing entities especially in times of reduced resources.  But, how does that translate into the sphere of continuing education?

How would a CES Provider exhibit leadership to the attendees of a course?    Is it just money that drives a provider to collaborate with chapters and firms – to gain access to the members that sign documents?  I heard that’s the case, but I suspect there is more to their desire to collaborate than that.  Do they wish to collaborate because they have information about new technologies that will excite the attendees?  It’s possible that the work they do inspires them, and they want to present their products or services so that others are inspired as well.  Also, it’s possible they present lunchtime presentations because they believe those who attend continuing education courses are responsible for supporting a vibrant design profession.

Providers have the content, and they have the enthusiasm, but they must translate that into collaboration with chapters and firms.  Before the providers can open the easels that hold their presentations, the chapters or the firms must trust the providers to present quality presentations that are of use to the members.  Basically the firm sponsors and the chapter staff are the gate keepers.  In this way, the providers are leaders if they are willing cede control and accept others’ terms of collaboration no matter how thrilled they are to talk about their content.

Be guided by the continuing education needs of the members as outlined by the chapters and the firms.  If the education you present is what those members need, then it’s win-win.  If it’s not, then it’s time to attempt a new collaboration with a different component or firm.  What do you think?

February 14, 2011

021411 AIA/CES Providers – What is a Leader? (Communication)

You walk into a room where design professionals meet for food and conversation after work.  For fun you decide to work the room, and listen in on a few conversations.  After the gathering ends, you list the striking aspects of the conversationalists you remember.  The list may include the following characteristics:

  1. Personal style – LOVE the glasses!
  2. Enthusiastic presentation of story
  3. Knowledge base exceeds the ordinary
  4. Maintained focus of conversation
  5. Opened the group so that I could listen in

Which one of the above characteristics is imperative for a leader to possess? 
When asked What is a characteristic of how a leader communicates? my colleagues offer different answers.  The answers don’t conflict, but the difference reflects how leaders-in-training can aspire to leadership roles without subscribing to a one-dimensional leadership style.
 

Leaders understand the boomerang effect.  How they present their information is as important as what they present.  They are cognizant of the power of the words on the listeners.  Leaders convey their ideas in a tone that starts neutral and morphs into welcoming.
 

Leaders are direct.  They are confident in their viewpoints.  They accept conflicting views as new information, but maintain the focus in a conversation.  Also, when other people have similar views, leaders create the opportunities to support the consensus, as opposed to emphasizing competition. 
 

Leaders are inspirational.  When they talk about their expertise the way they say it inspires the listeners, and is moving.  Leaders channel their creative energy into results.  They must be good public speakers, and have the elevator speeches about the results memorized.  People are not inspired by the ordinary.  They are inspired by the active.  The best way to inspire others is to illustrate how a single thought results in a long term solution. 
 

Leaders are you.  As providers of continuing education, presenters are tasked with teaching attendees something they don’t know.  Within their presentations providers must assume the role of mentor to the attendees, and adjust their conversation style to be the most effective communicators.  Not only can providers show the attendees how to use a skill or product, but they should  inspire the attendees to articulate the benefits of this skill to the advancement of the profession.  Is it possible for a provider of continuing education to assume the role of leader and leader-trainer?

February 22, 2011

022211 CES Provider Connection


CES Provider Connection
 
  

About the CES Provider Connection


The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Provider Connection is the information e-source for AIA/CES Registered Providers and partners dedicated to delivering quality professional continuing education to design professionals. CES Provider points of contact are encouraged to review and share information contained in this broadcast with others associated with the CES program.

 


In this Issue


  1. Letter From Ken L. Ross, Jr., FAIA, Interim Vice President, Design & Practice
  2. Ask AIA/CES Director Conference Call Series- Alla Orlova, M.A., Director, CES
  3. Sara Says!– Sara Thomas, Manager, CES
  4. AIA/CES Provider Workshop: Training on Trial – Wednesday, May 11
  5. Policies and Procedures – Electronic Attendance Forms
  6. Industry News and CES Updates
  7. Social Media Survey Results and New Survey
  8. Media Scan – 4 Articles that May Interest You
  9. AIA Chapter Call for Speakers and Sponsorships

Letter From Ken L. Ross


Dear AIA/CES Provider:

 


We want to update you on our progress with CES Discovery, AIA’s new learning management system since our October 25, 2010 launch.

  • One million member records have been transferred from our previous service provider into Discovery. 
  • 27,000 members; 152 components, and 1800 providers have logged into Discovery since launch.
  • Hundreds of courses have been submitted for review and approved.
  • Thousands of new credits have been posted to member transcripts.

We thank you all for your work to ensure that members’ transcripts are up to date and accurate.


The beginning of 2011 is a good time to remind us all of the obligations of all AIA Continuing Education providers. We want to focus on three important requirements, which have been in place since 1995.

  • Proposed courses are to be submitted for approval to AIA CES no later than five days prior to event. This request is to be submitted online. 
  • Courses cannot be advertised as eligible for AIA Continuing Education credits until approval is received. 
  • Attendance for individual courses and conferences is to be submitted no later than two weeks after the event using CES Discovery online, bulk upload or electronic attendance form.

AIA members count on the CES Discovery system to accurately reflect their records. If courses are not approved, then receipt of credit is jeopardized. If attendance is not reported, then credit does not appear on the member’s transcript.


For additional information about these and other requirements, please download our provider manual. Alla Orlova, Director, CES will discuss CES policies and procedures during Ask AIA/CES Director conference calls. More information about the calls is available on the Upcoming Events Page for providers.

If you have questions or concerns about these requirements, please contact AIA Member Care CES at aiamembercareces@aia.org or 800-242-3837 option 3.
 

Sincerely,

 


Ken L. Ross, Jr., FAIA
Interim Vice President, Design & Practice


Ask AIA/CES Director Conference Call Series- Alla Orlova


March Conference Calls with Alla Orlova, Director of AIA Continuing Education Provider Network

 

Are you offering courses that AIA members are interested in? What questions do you have that others might want to hear? This is your opportunity to network with your colleagues and to ask questions. Please join me for a casual conversation about your continuing education initiatives.

Below is information for some of the scheduled calls and topics to help focus our conversation. For a complete list of dates and topics please review the Upcoming Provider Events web page.

Dates: March 1 & 3 from 2:00-2:30
Topic: AIA CES 2011 Policies and Procedures
This call is intended to discuss CES provider manual as well as CES policy and procedures changes.

Dates: March 8 & 10 from 2:00-2:30
Topic: Are you a new AIA Provider? This session is for you.
This call is intended for all CES Providers who recently joined and need help getting started.

Dates: March 15 & 17 from 2:00-2:30
Topics: How to market your courses to AIA members
This call is intended to discuss proven tactics to help you get connected with members.

You must preregister for the call. These sessions will be limited to 15 participants per session. Please register early to secure your spot.

Email Dana French at ces@aia.org and put March Conference Calls Registration in the email subject line.

In your email, please include the following:

  • First, Last Name
  • Provider Name/Provider Number
  • Participants Email Address

Conference call information will then be sent to you!


Sara Says!– Sara Thomas


In last month’s issue, I mentioned that CES Provider Workshops are back in 2011. I highly encourage all of you to participate in the survey below because it will be a tremendous help to me as I begin to plan the upcoming workshops. We want your help in developing effective training curriculum that will not only enhance your knowledge as a provider, but incorporate life- long learning into your practice, whatever that may be. Dates and locations of the first three workshops are being finalized and will be added to the Upcoming Provider Events page over the next couple of weeks. If you are interested in hosting one of our workshops, please email me and include Need Provider Workshop Information in the Subject line.

 


AIA/CES Provider Workshop: Training on Trial


Believe it or not, the AIA National Convention Design and Exposition is right around the corner. I am excited to announce that we will be holding a special provider workshop on Wednesday, May 11, 1:00-7:00pm. If you are attending the convention in New Orleans, join us for this exciting event! Although this event is separate from the convention, please note that you must be registered for convention in order to attend. Register at http://convention.aia.org/event/registration-housing-travel/register-now.aspx. The program code is EV103. I hope to see all of you in New Orleans to share a beignet or two with me!

 


Workshop Information
For most learning professionals and organizations, training is on trial. The charge? Incurring expenses in excess of its value to the organization. Join special host, Wendy Kirkpatrick of Kirkpatrick Partners, at the Hilton Riverside New Orleans Hotel for the AIA/CES Provider Workshop. This workshop will prepare you to effectively demonstrate how training is valuable to the bottom line of your business. This session will explain why measures like numbers of courses held and attendees do not equal value in the eyes of our key business partners or to the corporate jury. It will bring to light the key metrics that are important to business and how you can support them. You will learn how, through business partnership, you can solidify the importance of the workplace learning organization to the company and can enjoy a secure position regardless of economic fluctuations. You will come away with concrete ideas for how to obtain you own “not guilty” verdict. Based on the book by the same name, this interactive seminar facilitated by the world leader in training evaluation is not to be missed! After this session, you will be able to describe the difference between effective training and training effectiveness, plan and deliver training programs with business value in mind, and demonstrate program value in terms that business partners understand. A reception will immediately follow featuring New Orleans-style cuisine. Open to all AIA providers and those interested in joining the CES Provider Program.


Policies and Procedures – Electronic Attendance Forms


AIA/CES has designed a way for providers to submit attendance without using the CES Discovery Report Attendance function. As of March 1st providers will be able to submit attendance forms electronically for conferences, and individual courses.

 


By March 1st Providers can download the Electronic Attendance Form PDF from the Resources section of the CES Discovery home page. Instructions for using the form will be printed at the top of the form. Once an Electronic Attendance Form has been created for your event, the provider will scan the forms, and email them to cesattendance@aia.org. An automatic email will be sent to providers to confirm receipt of your attendance documents. Providers can check to see if attendance was successfully uploaded 48-72 hours later, by accessing the View Member Attendance report under Shared Reports on their admin menu.


Important Requirements

  1. Attendance forms faxed or emailed directly to AIA/CES staff will be discarded.
  2. This PDF form is interactive and must be created UNIQUELY for each session(in the case of individual courses); or each conference date (in the case of conference forms) 
  3. Member Numbers, Names and all other hand-written information must be clearly PRINTED in black ink, it is the responsibility of the provider to ensure legibility
  4. Forms must be scanned at 300dpi resolution or better

Providers must add the following information to the top of the PDF document before printing it:

 

For individual courses 

  1. Course Title 
  2. Provider Name
  3. Provider Number
  4. Course Number
  5. Session Number
  6. Date of Course Completion (8 digit DD/MM/YYYY format)

For conference courses 

  1. Conference Name
  2. Provider Name
  3. Provider Number
  4. Course Number and Session Number
  5. Date of Course (8 digit DD/MM/YYYY format)
  6. LU/Hours
  7. HSW SD Designation 




If you have questions, please contact AIA Member Care staff at aiamembercareces@aia.org or 800-242-3837 option 3.


Industry News and CES Updates


State Licensing
If you work with registered architects within the following states, please be aware that they will need credits to complete their continuing education requirements for license renewal within the next couple months.

 

Florida/February 28thHawaii/April 30th
New Hampshire/March 31stDistrict of Columbia/April 30th



Also, please note that registered architects in the following states renew based on birthday or registration date.

CaliforniaMarylandNew YorkVirginia
IdahoNew Mexico Texas



New AIA Communication Channel
As some of you may know, AIA/CES staff post to twitter www.twitter.com/AIAContinuingEd on a regular basis, and we post blogs weekly to the AIA/CES blog http://blog.aia.org/ces. In April we will inaugurate AIAContinuingEd’s monthly Twitter Chats to discuss issues in real time. More information will be posted in the March 2011 CES Provider Connection.


Social Media Survey Results and New Survey


A survey about Provider Training

 

Thank you to all Providers who participated in the CES Provider Connection January 2011 survey about social media. Twitter and Facebook are the preeminent social media tools used by business, and it looks like the same trend applies to CES Providers. For information about the survey, please review the power point results.

AIA/CES created a new survey about your training program and needs. The survey will be used by AIA/CES staff to determine the preferred format to deliver training to providers. The survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete. Your responses will be strictly confidential and reported only in aggregate.


The final result with your help is expected to be completed by late March 2011 and will be included in the next CES Provider Connection. We would strongly encourage you to participate!


To complete the survey please go to: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BVNYQG65L/

Thank you for your time and valuable input.


Media Scan – 4 Articles that May Interest You


AIA California Council
Architects and the Economy 

 

Los Angeles Times
Top 10 Sectors for New Jobs

Look for EDU University
Introduction to Writing Training Courses

Social Media Examiner
26 Ways to Enhance Your Blog Content


AIA Chapter Call for Speakers and Sponsorships


AIA Chapters interested in finding speakers or sponsors for upcoming conferences or events, can use this space to post conference information.

 


AIA West Virginia
Expo 2011 - West Virginia Construction & Design Exposition
March 23-24, 2011
Charleston, West Virginia


Virginia Society AIA
Architect Exchange East
November 2-4, 2011
Richmond, Virginia
Call for Speakers and Sponsors – Proposal form on website
Contact Wayne Connors 
804-237-1769

Please email Maria Sigillito to add your 2011 events to this list and include AIA Chapter Speakers and Sponsors in the Subject line.  Please include the following information in your message:

  • Component Name
  • Conference Title
  • Link to conference web page
  • Date of conference
  • Location of conference
  • Is this a call for speakers or sponsors?
  • Contact Person
  • Email
  • Phone

More CES Provider Connection Information


To subscribe, send e-mail to: subscribe-cespc@lyris.aia.org from the email account you wish to subscribe and then confirm the subscription by replying to the confirmation message you receive.

Please note:
if you are the designated CES POC or Alternate contact, you will receive each broadcast while you hold that position.
If you are no longer a point of contact, you will need to appoint a replacement. Send an email with the name, email address, Company/Organization, and Provider Number to AIA Member Care staff at AIAMemberCareCES@aia.org and write "Unsubscribe Provider Connection" in the subject line.
Or make an instant change yourself:
(1) send a blank email to leave-cespc@lyris.aia.org to remove your email address from this list
(2) login to AIA/CES Provider Program Menu to update your contact information.

 


 February 22, 2011
 
Archive
 
02-22-2011 e-Source for AIA/CES Approved Providers
01-25-2011 e-Source for AIA/CES Approved Providers
12-07-2010 e-Source for AIA/CES Registered Providers
AIA/CES Provider Connection Special Edition - CES Discovery Launch



 

 

February 28, 2011

022811 AIA/CES Providers – The Culture of Knowledge - Supportive Associations

Recently I was in a meeting with Ken L. Ross, Jr., FAIA, Interim Vice President, Design & Practice here at AIA.  I asked him if continuing education advanced the profession of architecture.  As an affirmative, he described how continuing education elevated the profession from one defined by drawings only, to a profession of knowledge.  It was the first time I heard the architectural profession described in such a way.

On an annual basis I compile a random list of member architects who have not completed the continuing education requirement for the previous year.  Although many of them ultimately complete the requirements, and do so without too many complaints, I rarely hear accolades about continuing education from this sub-member base.  I do not hear them reference continuing education as a means to advancing the architecture profession.

However, within the past couple of months I heard many other architects at various meetings voice how they value continuing education.  They reference that firms and other design industry stakeholders mold a culture of learning through which knowledge is created, and they create a network of professionals through which knowledge flows.

Member associations exist to support the goals of their members.  They are tasked with creating a structure that feeds the members’ creative and professional goals.  As a result I theorize that employees within associations create a supportive culture for members.  Some employees may be tasked with publishing articles, and research, and some may be tasked with advocating on behalf of the profession, but most of the employees within associations are tasked with building the foundation for their members to continue these types of research or advocacy projects.

The CES department supports those who advance the architecture profession to be a profession of knowledge.  Our contribution to the advancement of knowledge is indirect, and is more of a contribution to the process.  Within the AIA CES we create the foundation for educational providers to offers courses that members attend to support their careers.  If members are inspired by these courses, they repurpose the information in a way that supports the architectural profession to be one of knowledge.

About February 2011

This page contains all entries posted to AIA CES in February 2011. They are listed from oldest to newest.

January 2011 is the previous archive.

March 2011 is the next archive.

Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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