1. Understanding the Fellowship Process

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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?

11. 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?

12. 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

13. 2019 Schedule
June 18, Submissions Open October Submissions Due February Jury Meeting February Notification

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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!

19. 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

20. 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%)

21. 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%)

22. 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%)

23. 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%)

24. 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%)

25. Only one Candidate from Indiana
2017 Statistics
Only one Candidate from Indiana

26. Only one Candidate from Indiana
2018 Statistics
Only one Candidate from Indiana

27. Resources
Resources Visit for: Fellowship FAQ Online submission FAQ Fellowship walk-through Best examples Contacts General inquiries: Kathleen Daileda, Hon. AIA, (202) , Elizabeth Henry, (202) , Elizabeth Wolverton, (202) ,

28. Submission Example

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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

34. 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.

35. 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 Exhibits, 1 Nomination, 1 Sponsor, 7 References)
Determine your format as early as possible – Make it consistent

36. 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

37. Questions?