Dear International Members, a belated Happy New Year and greetings for 2019!
I take this opportunity to welcome all new International Chapter members and to offer my thanks and gratitude to all those members who put themselves forward in the recent elections. Hearty congratulations to elected Councillors David Teh, Bob Nation, Natalie Ward, Janine Campbell and Peter O’Brien and our new Chapter Chair, Samantha Cotterell. To those who were unsuccessful – please stay engaged as there will be opportunities to again nominate for elected positions later this year.
It has been a most successful and historic two years for the International Chapter and an absolute honour and pleasure to be the first International Chapter Chair – seeing the culmination of many years of hard work by all present and past Committee members in the transition from a humble International Area Committee to a ‘fully fledged’ Institute Chapter with awesome potential including a growing membership, representation at AIA National Council, further Boarding Pass events around the world, improved Social Media coverage and direct connectivity with International members wherever you may be.
2019 already promises to be another great year with the announcement of the new Chapter Chair and Councillors, regular monthly Chapter Council meetings – which commenced on 23 January, our attendance at the first National Council meeting in Canberra in February, a calendar of member engagements events with the first Boarding Pass Event to be held in Hong Kong in March, the International Chapter Architecture Awards (entries closing on 15 March 2019) and the launch of the inaugural ‘Emerging Architects’ Prize, planned for later this month.
This year’s ‘Face to Face’ Council meeting is again planned for July, with Dubai and Hong Kong the considered meeting venues. In conjunction with this meeting the International Chapter Architecture Awards and Prize winners will be formally announced at a special Boarding Pass event. Further details will be provided in due course.
Finally a big ‘thank you’ and farewell as the outgoing Chapter Chair and sincere thanks to those who selflessly provided their kind support and valuable contributions over the past two years and more. The International Chapter stands strong with huge potential for further growth and development around the world, bringing members together and providing additional support through expanded and improved connectivity to AIA news, programs and services.
My thanks and kind regards,
Paul Logsdon FRAIA