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Grassroots Leadership Conference
The AIAS presents the 25th annual Grassroots Leadership Conference to be held in Washington, DC on July 23-26, 2009. The Grassroots conference offers instruction on how to be an effective leader, run a successful AIAS chapter, offers tips on motivating and organizing students, and is an opportunity to meet student leaders from across North America. The conference is designed for the chapter presidents and vice presidents but other emerging leaders are invited and encouraged to attend. Every chapter is expected to be represented.
The conference offers more than leadership development programs. The attendees will also participate in the governance of the AIAS when they meet as the Council of Presidents (COP). During these meetings, the attendees participate in the governance of the AIAS and are informed on important issues and ideas relevant to students, architectural education and the profession (voting is limited one delegate from each chapter in good standing). This discourse sets the future direction for the organization.
For more information, please contact the AIAS at 202.626.7472 (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET) or mailbox@aias.org.
Registration
- Regular (by June 10): $300/person (includes $5 carbon offset fee)
- Late (June 11 to June 26): $325/person (includes $5 carbon offset fee)
- On-Site (after June 26): $350/person (includes $5 carbon offset fee). Please notify the AIAS office in advance if you plan to register onsite.
The registration fee includes lodging for three nights in a double/double room, most meals, all of the programs (including admission to the Spotlight on Design lecture at the National Building Museum) and related materials. Travel and all other meals are at the expense of the attendee. Payment may be made either by check (payable to the AIAS) or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only).
Accommodations
As part of your registration fee, you will receive accommodations in the host hotel, The Liaison Hotel, located in Washington’s Capitol Hill neighborhood at 415 New Jersey Avenue, NW.
The AIAS office will make all reservations via a rooming list. Accommodations will be same gender, nonsmoking, quad occupancy (four adults per room with two double beds), unless you specifically request otherwise (additional fees will apply). The office will endeavor to meet all requests for roommates and other special needs. The Liaison Hotel offers a special rate ($189/night) for one day before and after Grassroots if you would like to extend your stay in Washington, DC. You may want to do so as there is little time for sight-seeing during the conference. You will need to arrange this with the office in advance. If you have any other special housing requests or other needs, please contact the AIAS office.
Financing Your Participation
There are several funding sources you should explore that may support your attendance:
- Chapter Support - Many chapters fund their representatives to attend Grassroots. If not already in your budget and alternative sources of funding do not exist, make sure it is an item included for next year.
- Department Support - Your architecture department might have funds at the end of the fiscal year that they can contribute toward this leadership conference. Many departments already include this expense in their annual budgets.
- University Student Activities - Many campus student governments have funds reserved for leadership training opportunities for their student associations. You need to request funding NOW.
- Local AIA Chapter - This is a good way to partner with your local AIA chapter, or strengthen your ties. The AIAS Grassroots conference is similar to AIA Grassroots, which is something the leaders of your local AIA should be familiar with and understand the benefits of such a conference.
- Local Construction Industry Leaders - Here is an opportunity to create a line of communication outside the architecture industry. Every industry is interested in and is constantly seeking leaders in their own field as well as related fields.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations prior to 12:00 Midnight (Eastern Time) on June 5, 2009 will be refunded less a $25 processing fee. NO REFUNDS OF REGISTRATION FEES WILL BE GIVEN AFTER JUNE 5, 2009. Cancellations must be made in writing by letter, fax (202.626.7414) or email to mailbox@aias.org (no phone calls will be accepted). Please allow four to six weeks after the conference for the refund to be provided.