Understanding the Fellowship Process

Purpose To share the details of the Fellowship process To build a support network for elevation To identify potential candidates Help members prepare for submission

Agenda Fellowship – What is it? Sponsor Criteria Fellowship Myths Objects of Nomination FAIA data and statistics 2019 Schedule Resources What is the jury looking for? Submission Example The submission process What’s Next?

Fellowship – What is it? The College of Fellows, founded in 1952 (Modern College), is composed of members of the Institute who are elected to Fellowship by a jury of their peers. The AIA’s highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. Elevation to Fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the architect as an individual but also elevates before the public and the profession those architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and to society.

Fellowship - Purpose Stimulate a sharing of interests among Fellows Promote the purposes of the Institute Advance the profession of Architecture Mentor young architects Be of ever-increasing service to society

Fellowship Criteria AIA architect members who have been in good standing for at least 10 years may be nominated Nominees must have completed 10 cumulative years as an AIA architect member prior to the nomination deadline.

Objects of Nomination Object 1 - Design Object 2 - Education, Literature, Research, or Practice Object 3 - Led the Institute or Related Organization Object 4 - Advancement of Living Standards Object 5 - Alternative Career, Volunteer, Service to Society

Objects of Nomination Object 1: Design Design, Urban Design, and Preservation MUST have 5 projects where candidate is “Largely Responsible for Design” with proper signoff Jury doesn’t judge design Jury looks for peer recognition through awards, articles, etc.

Objects of Nomination Object 2: Education, Literature, Research, or Practice Practice – Management or Tech. Advancement How have you elevated your firm? How are you sharing with the profession? Specialty Practice Show that through design/innovation the field is better OK not to have Awards but in lieu of those, expect to see sharing Education Show impact through teaching tools; student work

Objects of Nomination Object 3: Led the Institute or Related Organization Led Institute Jury looking for “So What?” factor Provide quantifiable results Led related organization Not enough just to lead it What did you do to connect it to the AIA? Seat time is not important – what did you do?

Objects of Nomination Object 4: Advancement of Living Standards Government industry or organization Need to document the benefit to the AIA How is your work affecting policies? How are you making things easier for architects in the profession?

Objects of Nomination Object 5: Alternative Career, Volunteer, Service to Society Show how contributions are significant because the nominee is an architect Volunteer work not used as marketing tool Must be clear you are NOT gaining commissions through volunteer service

2019 Schedule June 18, 2018 Submissions Open October 2018 Submissions Due February 2019 Jury Meeting February 2019 Email Notification

What does the Jury Look For? Has nominee been nationally recognized? Has the nominee had a “ripple effect”? What is the ripple effect? Has the nominee been active in the AIA? A distinguished body of work Published work Award recognition Notable contributions Impact on other practices Lecturing National leadership

What does the Jury Look For? Leadership in the AIA National office Local and regional offices Committee chair Jury service Authored articles Presented at conventions Need impact and results Widespread recognition of results Publications Awards Requests to speak Requests to serve on juries Sharing of knowledge or expertise •Speaking and leading seminars •Publications in architecture journals •Publications in associated professional journals •National news media coverage •Published peer recognition

The Submission Process Sponsor letter – sent as part of your submission. DQ’d if not attached. Section 1: Summary of achievements Section 2: Significant work, awards, publications, volunteer work, presentations/lectures, service Section 3: Exhibits list Section 3: Exhibits – Properly signed References – sent directly to the submission site by the letter writer

Sponsor Must be an FAIA or AIA member in good standing Must provide a one-page letter of support Should be BEST and WORST critic, someone that knows you well! Should be very knowledgeable about candidate's accomplishments Involved in submission process Letter speaks directly and specifically of achievements Serves as a buffer between candidate and references

Fellowship Myths There are no quotas Number of candidates elevated Number of candidates per category Number of categories per component or region Quotas of any kind are a myth!

Fellowship Myths It’s best to get only Fellows to write reference letters Your reference letters should come from members only Letters from BIG names are best You can’t get Fellowship in Object 1 unless you have a National Honor Award Horizontal format is preferred

Statistics 2017 Fellowship statistics 258 candidates, 178 elevated (68.99%) Candidates by year of nomination 1st year: 193 (74.81%) 2nd year: 53 (20.54%) 3rd year: 12 (4.65%) 2018 Fellowship statistics 297 candidates, 152 elevated (51.18%) Candidates by year of nomination 1st year: 223 (75.08%) 2nd year: 62 (20.88%) 3rd year: 12 (4.04%)

Statistics 2017 Fellowship statistics Number elevated of number entries received in submission year 1st year: 129 of 193 (66.84%) 2nd year: 39 of 53 (73.58%) 3rd year: 10 of 12 (83.33%) 2018 Fellowship statistics Number elevated of number entries received in submission year 1st year: 114 of 223 (51.12%) 2nd year: 32 of 62 (51.61%) 3rd year: 6 of 12 (50.00%)

Statistics 2017 Fellowship statistics Number of candidates by nomination object Object 1: 63 (24.42%) Object 2: 128 (49.61%) Object 3: 23 (8.91%) Object 4: 20 (7.75%) Object 5: 24 (9.32%) 2018 Fellowship statistics Number of candidates by nomination object Object 1: 81 (27.27%) Object 2: 134 (45.12%) Object 3: 34 (11.45%) Object 4: 23 (7.74%) Object 5: 25 (8.42%)

Statistics 2017 Fellowship statistics Number elevated of number nominated in object Object 1: 38/63 (60.32%) Object 2: 89/128 (69.53%) Object 3: 16/23 (69.57%) Object 4: 16/20 (80.00%) Object 5: 19/24 (79.17%) 2018 Fellowship statistics Number elevated of number nominated in object Object 1: 37/81 (45.68%) Object 2: 67/134 (50.00%) Object 3: 21/34 (61.76%) Object 4: 13/23 (56.52%) Object 5: 14/24 (56.00%)

Statistics 2017 Fellowship statistics Women Candidates 47/258 Candidates (18.22%) 31/47 Elevated (65.96%) 2018 Fellowship statistics Women Candidates 65/297 Candidates (21.89%) 43/65 Elevated (66.15%)

Only one Candidate from Indiana 2017 Statistics Only one Candidate from Indiana

Only one Candidate from Indiana 2018 Statistics Only one Candidate from Indiana

Resources Resources Visit www.aia.org/fellows for: Fellowship FAQ Online submission FAQ Fellowship walk-through Best examples Contacts General inquiries: Honorsawards@aia.org Kathleen Daileda, Hon. AIA, (202) 626 7474, kdaileda@aia.org Elizabeth Henry, (202) 626 7563, ehenry@aia.org Elizabeth Wolverton, (202) 626 7586, elizabethwolverton@aia.org

Submission Example

Category 3 – Led the Institute/Education Lisa Gomperts, FAIA

Why Fellowship? Why Now? Long term goal Opportunities for new areas of service New Networks Why Now? Recently (within last 5 years) completed several key initiatives Focus on where I am making the greatest impact

Process Gather Information Early Plan out your work effort Fellowship Outline Summary of Achievement Leadership Positions Awards and Recognitions – Personal/Project Jury Service Presentations Publications – Written by and about you Significant Projects Exhibits – 7-10 (3 Project examples) Potential References Gather Information Early Plan out your work effort Develop an Outline Find the Right Sponsor Conduct a Gap Analysis Work from Big to small and back Gather Information – Save information electronically and hard copy well before you plan to submit Schedule – Give yourself plenty of time Outline – See what information you have and how you might format Sponsor – Find someone who knows you well and isn’t afraid to be honest and critical Gap Analysis – Look at areas you need to supplement early Develop your submittal from big picture to the detail and then back

Differentiators Service to the Profession with key focus area Reflected summary statement and key points with each item Exhibit Summary Summary of Achievement – Highlight specific impacts and National, Regional, and Local impact for each Impact at a Glance Service to the Profession is one of the categories with the least amount of submissions and yet with some many architects involved in the profession needed to be able to differentiate. Reinforced main statement and three key points with each piece of the submittal – Down to the projects that I chose for my exhibits Exhibit Summary – Easy to read – Get the main point for each on one page – Exhibits referenced throughout body of submittal Format - Use of consistent infographics throughout Always showing impact with each initiative

Statement Strong, action words and adjectives Concise Summary of your main points Clearly identify what makes you different 1st Attempt – Lisa Gomperts has shown a strong commitment to the profession by promoting and advancing architecture through national and local educational initiatives that engage youth , enhance member benefits, elevate continuing education standards, and grow public awareness. Strong action words and adjectives – “Advances the Profession”, “Exceptional Leadership”, “Legacy Programs”, “Maximum National Benefit” Summarize your Main Points – I had three points Elevating Standards Expanding Access Growing Public Awareness Differentiator – Building Legacy programs from singular initiatives for Maximum National Benefit It wasn’t until fairly late in the process that the key element of my statement surfaced. That is where your sponsor can help.

Lessons Learned Take lots of pictures throughout your career Find a small committee to review your proposal from different perspectives References Back ups Variety of perspectives Different locations in the country White space is your friend Begin getting your reference letters and exhibit signatures early (Total of 19 - 10 Exhibits, 1 Nomination, 1 Sponsor, 7 References) Determine your format as early as possible – Make it consistent

What’s Next Find out who is interested in submitting for Fellowship (Both this year and in future years) - Develop a Pipeline Help candidates find sponsors Create advisory group that meets on regular basis to review submittals and provide support and feedback

Questions?