Here is AIA National\'s FAQ about its changes with regard to Knowledge Communities of which the Academy of Architecture for Justice is one. We will get more information as the changes are implemented.

1. 2010 Budget and Operating Plan Frequently Asked Questions
Knowledge Communities:
How will the Knowledge Communities change in 2010?
All the existing KCs will still be operating in 2010 with their five‐member Advisory Group (AG)
leaders. During the first half of the year, national staff will work with these groups to help them
transition to the self‐governed and supported approach using virtual technology. For example,
meetings and networking activities will be conducted via conference calls, web hosting, and social
networking sites. Technology deployment, training, and investment will help enable KCs to
function more independently. The KCs will have increased involvement with advocacy, thought
leadership, and outreach.
Will there be any KC conferences or meetings?
The knowledge communities may conduct face‐to‐face meetings, conferences, and programs.
However, the funding and administration will be handled by the KC – not through AIA. A recent
example of this approach is IFRAA’s use of an outside facilitator model for its Italy conference. The
AIA will provide guidelines for branding and member communications, as well as the option of
listing/promoting it through aia.org and the AIA’s e‐newsletter.
What about KC newsletters?
In response to member feedback about the volume of emails they receive from AIA, we will be
consolidating all member communications and e‐newsletters to a single member communications
platform under the AIArchitect brand. This will include KC news items. In addition, KCs will have
direct access to their web page on aia.org to post articles and other information. And, there are
social networking and other sites to communicate with all KC constituents.
So is the AIA eliminating all funding for the KCs?
The AIA is providing funding for supporting a conference call bridge system and infrastructure for
the website and SharePoint. In addition, the AIA will launch an Enterprise Fund (see below). There
will be presence dedicated staff support team at AIA National to provide technical support,
training, and other limited assistance for KCs.
Why is the AIA making these changes?
The AIA wants to transition the KCs from being solely providers of content to AIA members to
helping the AIA take on a larger thought leadership role with the outside world, including allied
professions and organizations, the media, government and the general public. The current model
does not support this goal. The AIA believes that by freeing KCs from the traditional internal
association governance framework they can focus more on providing thought leadership to the
industry and beyond.
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2. 2010 Budget and Operating Plan Frequently Asked Questions
My KC actually brings in revenue for the AIA through its conference or publication. So isn’t
making us go virtual actually harming the AIA financially?
The financial model that the KCs have used did not account for staff costs (KC, marketing,
meetings, finance, etc) and overhead costs. So, while the revenue generated by KC events was
important, it does not cover all of the expenses. But remember, this is not being done solely to
save money; it is necessary to enable KCs to perform a higher profile leadership role with the AIA
without the significant governance burdens that KCs currently face. The AIA is still investing in KCs
just in a new and more sustainable manner the will lead to long term success.
Will KC AGs still be appointed by the AIA president?
For 2010, they will be. Decisions on what happens after that have not been made.
Overall, how much is this move saving the AIA?
This will reduce our operating expenditures and reduce the number of staff supporting KCs from
14 to 4. It should be noted that due to the impact of the economic down turn most national
departments are experiencing cuts.
Is this change happening right away?
No. The transition will be completed by June 30, 2010. Until that time, there will be some
additional staff on hand at the AIA to help with the transition, and there will be opportunities for
KCs to help shape the planning of the transition.
Will KCs be able to hold events at Convention?
For the 2010 Convention, events and sessions that already have been planned will continue, and
the AIA is providing staff support for the first half of 2010 to make sure programs are successful as
planned. After that, KCs will be able to submit sessions to the Convention Education Committee as
always.
What services and support will AIA provide if the KC decides to hold its own conference or
program?
AIA will provide branding, event listing, conference planning resources on line. Other
administrative and staff support will be available for a fee such as marketing, meetings,
registration, etc.
What happens to the Knowledge Leadership Assembly (KLA)? The KLA will not continue.
However, the AIA is planning one or more thought leadership summits centering on selected
thought leadership issues, which KCs can get involved with. More details will follow.
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3. 2010 Budget and Operating Plan Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Enterprise Fund work?
The Enterprise Fund will be an annual source of funding that can be applied for by KC leaders or
directed by staff to develop projects that will benefit target audiences, for example a content track
on interior architecture that can be used by components as workshops, a track at their regional
conferences, etc. Details still need to be developed and will be available in early 2010.
Won’t this essentially mean the end of the KCs?
This model will give more flexibility for new and existing KCs to form, evolve, combine with other
KCs or, yes, go away, depending upon the level of interest of AIA members. Using a virtual model
will allow for smaller groups of members to form around issues that have not been considered
large enough to warrant a full KC, such as ADA issues or security design. In the long run, there may
be a continuum of member communities, from large established KCs with thousands of members,
to small, 3 or 4 member groups that share ideas and info on very narrow issues. Ultimately, it is up
to the members.
How will the KC budget process work going forward?
There will be no dedicated budget for individual KCs within the National AIA budget. However, AIA
will provide support for the virtual environment.
Will KCs still be listed in the membership renewal form?
Yes
What about our awards and honors programs?
In 2009, AIA began the process of moving management of all KC honors and awards programs to
the AIA Honors and Awards team. Those programs will continue under the processes and
standards used for all AIA awards programs including the use of an electronic submissions and
evaluations.
Will KCs be required to use SharePoint for their social networking?
The AIA will further develop and enhance the internal and external SharePoint portals for use of
the Knowledge Communities. The AIA technology staff and program staff are evaluating many
different options that will further identify and refine options. KCs can continue to use Facebook,
Linked‐In, NiNG or other community sites and platforms where activities are already taking place.
The AIA will work diligently to build integration into the platforms and tools already in place to
ensure the best and most comprehensive platforms and tools are in place and used for success.
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4. 2010 Budget and Operating Plan Frequently Asked Questions
Can KCs use the AIA logo and branding if they use other social media?
Yes. Guidelines for branding will be supplied in the first half of 2010.
Why is the Academy of Architecture for Health KC being treated differently?
The AIA is currently launching a pilot program, which has been under development for the past
year and a half, with AAH to test a more autonomous model of operations. This pilot will include
partnering with outside groups to provide content and events. The AIA will spend 2010 evaluating
this approach, and if it works, then the AIA envisions the possibility of working with other KCs to
try this model.
Will KC members and leadership have a chance to weigh in on this change?
Yes. There will be an opportunity at 2010 Grassroots for AG leaders to discuss this with AIA staff
and officers. In addition, throughout the transition process there will be opportunities through the
web, SharePoint, etc., to exchange ideas and offer suggestions.
Will the AGs be funded to attend the 2010 Grassroots?
The 2010 chair for each of the 17 Knowledge Communities will be funded to attend the Grassroots
conference in February.
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