Fellowship Baltimore Fellows Committee

The College of Fellows The College of Fellows, founded in 1952, is composed of members of the Institute who are elected to Fellowship by a jury of their peers. “It is not the purpose of the Fellowship to create an aristocracy of membership, but to give those who have shown their worth an accolade and a charge that their responsibilities have just begun.”

Agenda What is the Baltimore Fellows Committee (BFC)? The timeline for the process How the BFC can assist you. Demystifying Fellowship –The Categories for advancement –Qualifications needed for advancement –How the process works

Purpose of Baltimore Fellows Committee (BFC) To identify and encourage potential candidates to seek Fellowship and to inform them of the selection process. To review the credentials of Members presented to the BFC and to discuss the members’ chances for success. To provide input to the candidates and sponsors on the content and format of their submissions.

Timeline 2/24 – BFC open meeting 2/24 – 4/15 – Identify Fellows candidates and find a sponsor for each candidate 4/27 – Initial Submission by Sponsor of candidate’s qualifications to the BFC 4/27 – 5/30 – Review and comment – BFC will meet with candidates and sponsors to comment on Initial Submissions

Timeline (continued) 6/28 – Initial draft meeting 7/12 – Revised Draft due 8/1 – Final Nomination package Draft due 9/13 – Final Nomination package due 10/4 – Signature Pages due at Chapter for signature 10/? – Submission and Reference letters due to AIA National

Demystifying Fellowship February 24, 2010 Walter Schamu, FAIA, former Chair of Fellows Jury

Presentation Agenda -Important Dates/Changes -Understanding the Jury Process -What the Jury Looks For -The Submission Process -Resources -FAIA Data and Statistics -Question & Answers

Important Dates October x, Electronic Submissions Due - Reference Letters Due - Before 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (NEW) January xx-xx, Jury Meeting February x, 2011 (at the latest) - notification

Important Changes Electronic filing time change File Size Change - less than 6 MB - personal photo/portrait NOT part of single PDF

2011 Jury of Fellows Henry C. Alexander Jr., FAIA (Florida) Jeffrey A. Huberman, FAIA (North Carolina) Paula Loomis, FAIA (Virginia) Robert Loversidge, FAIA (Ohio) Gregory Palermo, FAIA (Iowa) TBD

Jury Responsibilities Review 1/7 of total submissions (30 -35) Present assigned candidates View summary section for each and every candidate Rule: –A juror may not review candidates from their own firm or region

Jury Process Candidates presented alphabetically Jurors review submission simultaneously Presenter draws attention to what does or does not support claims Presenter answers questions from jurors and makes recommendation

Jury Process Jury discussion – minutes total THEREFORE: Critical for submission to be - clear and concise - results oriented - well-documented influence on profession

Voting Process Only six jurors vote – one sits out Juror from that region or firm, or next presenter Takes a minimum 4 votes for elevation Unanimous vote NOT REQUIRED Ties are set aside until the end

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!

What the Jury is Looking For Has nominee been nationally recognized? Has the nominee had a “ripple effect”? Has the nominee been active in the AIA?

What the Jury is Looking For Strong sponsor letter Strong reference letters Well organized submission High quality images/exhibits Consistency Leadership Results

What the Jury is Looking For Distinguished Body of Work Published work Award recognition Notable Contribution Impact on other practices Lecturing National leadership

What the Jury is Looking For Widespread Recognition of Results Publications Awards Requests to speak Requests to serve on juries

What the Jury is Looking For 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

What the Jury is Looking For Leadership in the AIA National office Local and regional offices Committee chair Served on juries Authored articles Presented at conventions Need impact and results

Submission Composition Sponsor Letter Section 1 Summary Section 2 Accomplishments Section 3 Exhibits Section 4 References

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 -May sponsor more than one candidate, but they should be in different categories

Sponsor -Should be very knowledgeable about candidate's accomplishments -Involved in submission process -Speaks directly and specifically of achievements -Serves as a buffer between candidate and references -LAY IT ALL OUT IN THE LETTER

Object 1 - Design -Design, Urban Design, and Preservation -MUST have 5 projects where candidate is “Largely Responsible for Design” -Jury doesn’t judge design -Jury looks for peer recognition through awards, articles, etc…

Object 2 – Education, Literature, Research, or Practice Practice -Having a good firm is your job -How are you sharing with the profession? Specialty Practice -Show that through design the field is better -Might not have Honor Awards – OK Education - Show impact through teaching tools; student work

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?

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?

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

Fellowship Submission Story about YOU – but not womb to tomb. WHO you are WHAT you accomplished WHEN it occurred WHY it’s significant HOW benefited/shared with profession PROVE IT! – documentation and support

Section 1 - Summary This is where you lay out your case Your “architectural tombstone” Focus on about 3 main points Expand information in Section 2

Section 1 - Summary Be clear, concise, succinct Restate claims from sponsor letter HAMMER IT IN! Prove “ripple effect” of work Local work OK, but show broad impact

Section 2 - Accomplishments 2.1 Significant Work - Projects - Jury Service - Presentations - AIA Involvement - Civic/Volunteer Involvement 2.2 Honors, Awards, Recognition 2.3 Publications

Section 2 - Accomplishments Demonstrate broad influence and impact Can reformat, but keep in same order Group similar accomplishments together Jury needs a quick visual of - lectures and seminars - awards - publications

Section 2 - Accomplishments Work supporting YOUR case first Explain any time gaps Divide up different types of awards Make distinction about articles - about you - authored by you

Section 3 - Exhibits Exhibits supporting YOUR case first Show tangible results If submitting in design - Show more than minimum of 5 projects - BUT use only your strongest projects If not in design, don’t put projects first One picture worth 1,000 words

Section 4 - References Each reference focus on one-two points Speak directly about your work Seek those with a direct connection Recognized leaders in your field Broad geographic range Avoid “big names” offering no substance

In Short… Clear, Concise Presentation Strong Sponsor Strong/Specific References Support for Summary Statement Focus on Results/Achievements Demonstrate Influence on Profession

Resources - FAIA FAQ - Online Submission FAQ - Fellowship Walk-through - Best Examples (Elizabeth Henry) (Robin Lee, Hon. AIA)