2024 AIA Massachusetts Strategic Plan

Adopted September 2024 – Anticipated three- to five-year duration

Download the 2024 Strategic Plan in PDF format

Mission

Our mission is to further the purposes and interests of the member chapters in all matters relating to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; to represent the member chapters to all organizations and institutions whose jurisdiction is the Commonwealth; and to promote the objectives of the American Institute of Architects.

Values

How we pursue mission impact – how we collaborate internally and with others, establish policies and priorities, and advocate to advance our mission.

Alignment
Foster alignment among the member chapters in the development of policy positions, advocacy efforts, and related initiatives.

Engagement
Ensure the broad range of ideas and perspectives of the Massachusetts’ architecture community, policymakers, and stakeholders are sought out, heard, and considered. Work to compel interest in the issues of concern to architects and in the policy positions we take.

Expertise
Leverage the knowledge of Massachusetts architects, emerging professionals, AIA MA’s staff and volunteer leaders, and industry collaborators.

Respect for differences
Demonstrate understanding of and appreciation for differences of opinion, expertise, experience, geography, and important aspects of who people are.

Goals & Objectives

Engage architectural professionals at all career stages.

Encourage those with depth of experience in advocacy to cultivate relationships with policymakers at the local, state, and national level, and invite members of all levels of experience to participate in AIA MA efforts.
Create forums and mentorship opportunities in order to establish a wider cross section of architects engaged in advocacy and policymaking.
Reinvigorate the AIA MA scholarship program that supports early-career architecture professionals who actively participate in the AIA MA Government Affairs Committee.
Encourage and work with architectural professionals interested in pursuing appointed and elected positions at the state and local levels.

Increase architects’ influence on state-level legislative and regulatory action.

Maintain strong relationships with the legislative and regulatory leaders of the Commonwealth, and with leaders of the executive branch, in order to remain a trusted voice on design and construction issues.
Engage more architects in statewide coalition building and collaborative advocacy efforts with professional A/E/C membership associations and issue-specific organizations.
Collaborate with state agencies and other organizations to support implementation of regulations and laws affecting architects.
Support architects in encouraging their interest and effectiveness in engaging in public forums.

Strengthen communications, highlighting AIA MA impact, leadership, and opportunities for engagement.

Use the AIA MA website, social media, polling, and digital newsletters to more expansively and effectively communicate to key stakeholders.
Provide periodic updates to member chapters suitable for broad distribution and a variety of audiences, together with upcoming opportunities for engagement.
Showcase AIA MA’s expertise and priority issues through presentations, workshops, and tours (hard hat or finished projects).

Maintain financial and operational stability to position AIA MA for long-term success.

Assess AIA MA’s current revenue streams and develop a multi-year plan to increase financial stability and flexibility to maintain and grow mission impact.
Review AIA MA’s governance to clarify roles and responsibilities; optimize board meetings, committee structure, and board liaison relationships; and improve communications and onboarding.
Pursue additional staff, paid internships, and/or contracted assistance to support augmented communications and outreach efforts.
Adopt the regular use of strategy screening to ensure optimal utilization of human and financial resources.
Grow policy influence through more strategic and significant fundraising efforts, such as bundled donations to campaigns and/or a PAC, and encouraging significant individual donations.