For many years, AIA Idaho has been serving our profession in various ways and with varying degrees of success. Every generation has had to meet the unique challenges of their time. 2020 has certainly presented us with our challenges. Although we were looking forward to hosting the AIA Northwest+Pacific Region’s conference and Design Awards event in Sun Valley and other activities throughout the year, all of them were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was certainly not the year we expected.

Some seem surprised that COVID-19 may result in some changes in the way we do business. In my experience, members of our profession have always been in a state of change. We make any necessary adjustments and carry on. I have every confidence that what has made our profession relevant to date will continue through this pandemic and the next crisis that comes along.

I am happy to report that AIA Idaho has been meeting this unique challenge head-on with success on many fronts, including getting our piece of legislation known as the Good Sam Act passed into law. This law will allow us to provide volunteer services after a disaster without exposing us to liability threats. We have also joined with other entities to successfully block an effort within the legislature to change the existing Quality Based Selection Legislation. We have increased our legislators’ awareness of us and our profession by being a sponsor of a successful Legislator’s Reception. We have developed a good relationship with other industry organizations such as the Associated General Contractors and Professional Engineers Association. We have been invited to participate in the Idaho Building Code Board meetings and are pleased to have one of our members, Andy Bick, serving as chair of that group. We worked with them and other groups to successfully prevent some state legislators’ efforts to remove the existing state energy code. After much effort over several years, our chapter and its several sections are now officially recognized per AIA National’s changing accreditation requirements.

I can’t say enough good things about our outstanding executive director, Anna Foster. I am not stretching the truth when I say AIA Idaho is what Anna has made it. As a board, we scramble along in her wake. Not that our board hasn’t been great. It has, and I wish to thank the board members for their time and effort to make our chapter work.

I would be remiss if I don’t mention the outstanding performance of our Advocacy Committee. I have been impressed with the performance of our Central, Mountain and Eastern Sections, and I am especially pleased with the reactivation of our Northern Section. It has been a challenge for all of them to work around the COVID-19 obstacles. And I would like to thank our professional affiliate members for staying with us through this trying time. I am pleased that they see value in supporting our organization and our mission. Their partnership is appreciated.

We are all, I am sure, looking forward to making 2021 a great year. The best way for us to become all we can be is for all members to engage. The board would like to hear from you with any ideas and suggestions.

Thank you all for the opportunity to serve as your 2020 AIA Idaho President.