Programs, Events, & Committees

Participate

A listing of AIA Rochester’s programs, activities, and events

Design Excellence Awards & the Design Awards Celebration

The winners of the AIA Rochester Design Excellence Awards are announced at the annual Design Awards Celebration. The Design Excellence Awards are established to encourage excellence in architectural design, to make the public more aware of the potential of the human-made environment, and to honor the architect, owner and builder of significant projects. This year’s Design Awards Celebration was an in-person event held on June 15, 2023 at The Memorial Art Gallery. www.aiaroc.org/2023-design-awards
Contact: Christina Fluman, Associate AIA (christina@edge-architecture.com)

AIA Rochester Annual Golf Tournament

AIA Rochester’s “Swinging Fore Scholarships” Golf Tournament is held on the 2nd Tuesday in September. It brings together architects, engineers, designers, allied members and more for a fun event and offers great networking opportunities. Held annually since 1985, it is AIA Rochester’s largest fundraiser, which benefits the scholarship program, local CES programs, and grants to AIAS Chapters, Girls in Architecture, and ERA’s ARE Study program. www.aiaroc.org/2023-golf
Contact: Associate Director Michelle Murnane, AIA (mmurnane@aiaroc.org) or Linda Hewitt, Executive Director (lbhewitt@aiaroc.org)

AIA Rochester Annual Meeting

Held in October, this meeting is a review of all the events held by AIA Rochester in that given year. It’s also a time to thank our members/sponsors for their support and acknowledge our volunteers. We present the chapter’s Honor Awards and enjoy a keynote speaker. It’s a great opportunity to network with others. General attendance is around 100 people. Chapter business is discussed and voting of new board members takes place.
Contact: Linda Hewitt, Executive Director (lbhewitt@aiaroc.org)

Holiday Party

Join us at our annual AIA Rochester holiday party to network and share some holiday cheer! The president hosts this annual event.
Contact: Jay Woodcock, AIA (jaywoodcock@dwyerarch.com)

Student Scholarships

Both high school and college students may apply for scholarships through AIA Rochester. A combined total of $18,000 was awarded to 6 recipients in 2022.
Contact: Christian Jankuloski, Associate AIA (cjankuloski@cjsarchitects.com)

Principals’ Round Table

Join AIA Rochester President Jay Woodcock and VP Jamie Bucci in a conversation about upcoming programming and opportunities. These are virtual meetings held quarterly.
Contact: President Jay Woodcock, AIA (jaywoodcock@dwyerarch.com) or Vice President Jamie Bucci (jbucci@swbr.com)

Girls in Architecture

Girls in Architecture introduces 7th and 8th grade girls to careers in architecture and engineering and the possibility of STEM options as they enter high school. Female professionals in the A/E industry can volunteer. The program is typically held in late winter for 3-5 sessions, depending on locations.
Contact: Jessica Kruse, AIA (jkruse@labellapc.com)

Career Fair

At the Career Fair, 10-15 local firms set up booths and welcome students from local colleges (Alfred, RIT, MCC, HWS, FLCC, and UB) to talk about internships/co-ops and open firm positions. Prior to the event, we work with students to help them assemble their resumes and portfolios in late fall. Attendance is approximately 60 people.
Contact: Christian Jankuloski, Associate AIA (cjankuloski@cjsarchitects.com)

Continuing Education

Continuing Education credits can be obtained by attending a variety of presentations offered by the AIA.
Contact: Jamie Bucci, AIA (jbucci@swbr.com ) www.aiaroc.org/events

CANstruction

CANstruction Rochester, sponsored by Buckingham Properties, is part of a national program in which A/E firms and student groups compete annually to design and build a themed structure entirely out of canned goods. After the structures have been displayed to the public and judged, all canned goods used in the structure are donated to Foodlink, our local food bank.
Contact: Linda Hewitt, Executive Director (lbhewitt@aiaroc.org) https://www.canstructionrochester.com/

ACE Mentor Program (not an AIA Rochester program)

The ACE Mentor Program is a national organization with a Rochester chapter that aims to engage high school students in the fields of Architecture, Construction, and Engineering, through hands-on activities and weekly meetings. The program spans from September through March, during which students design and build a playhouse, participate in on-site construction activities such as forming a footing, and design a 1,500 SF house that serves as their final project. The graduation/final presentation is a chance for the students to showcase their work to members of the community, including industry professionals. AIA Rochester supports this program by advertising the program, events, and fundraising. Also, several of our members are participants in this program.
Contact: Christian Jankuloski, Associate AIA (cjankuloski@cjsarchitects.com)

AIA Contract Documents

Though not an event, please be aware that the Rochester chapter carries some AIA Contract Documents in stock that can be purchased. Documents can be ordered online and sent, or people can stop in when the office is open for pick up – call ahead.
Contact: Linda Hewitt, Executive Director (lbhewitt@aiaroc.org)

Rochester Architecture Foundation (RAF)

The RAF is a 501c3 sister organization which offers additional programming and opportunities.
The Rochester Architecture Foundation's mission is to promote and enhance the practice of architecture as a cultural, artistic, and business resource in the region. We advocate for the architectural community and built environment and provide scholarship opportunities to regional students pursuing a career in architecture. We also partner with government, professional, education, community and arts organizations to increase our reach and impact. www.rocarchfoundation.org/
Contact: Linda Hewitt, Executive Director, AIA Rochester (lbhewitt@aiaroc.org)
Contact: James Durfee, AIA, President of RAF (jdurfee@durfeearchitect.com)

Join

A listing of AIA Rochester’s main committees

Emerging Rochester Architects (ERA): AIA Rochester’s Young Professionals group

ERA aims to connect those who are new to the profession and invites them to participate in sketch socials, networking events, and tours. ERA also offers support through the registration process including hosting ARE study sessions and mentorship programs. Our young professionals have established a strong relationship with the architecture programs at RIT and Alfred and serve as mentors to these students as well. www.aiaroc.org/emerging-rochester-architects-era
Contact: Dustin Welch, AIA (dwelch@passero.com)

Women in Architecture (WiA)

The mission of our Women in Architecture (WiA) group is to develop and promote women in architecture through mentorship, networking, and learning opportunities.
Contact: Jessica Kruse, AIA (jkruse@labellapc.com)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (EDI)

AIA Rochester is committed to diversifying the profession and engaging the community at large as well as schools to promote the profession to all students.
Contact: Michael Short, AIA (mshort@poplidesigngroup.com)

Design Awards

The Design Awards requires a robust committee to plan and execute both the awards process and the celebration event itself. This is an exciting committee which offers leadership development and creative expression to accomplish AIA Rochester’s signature annual event. The committee meets sporadically from August – June with a concentration from January – June. www.aiaroc.org/2023-design-awards
Contact: Christina Fluman, Associate AIA (christina@edge-architecture.com)

Golf Tournament

The Golf Committee is a fun group which meets approximately monthly from February – September to plan and execute the annual Golf Tournament. There is opportunity to volunteer for the day of the event only (second Tuesday in September) as well. www.aiaroc.org/2023-golf
Contact: Associate Director Michelle Murnane, AIA (mmurnane@aiaroc.org) or Executive Director, Linda Hewitt (lbhewitt@aiaroc.org)

Firm Liaisons

The Firm Liaison is an ambassador between AIA Rochester and their member colleagues. As the main point of contact for and champions of the AIA within their firm, the Liaison will promote AIA Rochester membership, news, events, and opportunities through email and word of mouth with their coworkers. AIA Rochester will host a Liaison event each year to review Liaison needs and strengthen member communication. Throughout the year, AIA Rochester will occasionally contact the Liaisons with direct messaging to share. Each firm with two or more employees is encouraged to designate a Firm Liaison. Large firms may wish to appoint more than one Liaison.
Contact: Rob Smithgall, AIA (rsmithgall@youngandwright.com)

Communications

AIA Rochester needs volunteers to help with content that will keep our members engaged and informed, and in creating recruiting tools to bring in new members. We are also always looking for ways to communicate with the community at large.
Contact: Sara DeSalvo, AIA (saradesalvo@dwyerarch.com)

AIA Honor Awards

Nominate and/or help select AIA members for local and state Honor Awards. Any AIA Rochester member can be on the Honor Awards Committee. This is a short commitment.
Contact: Ben Deuel, Associate AIA (bdeuel@cplteam.com) or Erin Powers, AIA (epowers@labellapc.com)

Local Government/Activism

Become an active voice by joining a community review board, attending local government meetings, and having an active say in regulations affecting our profession.
Contact: Executive Director, Linda Hewitt (lbhewitt@aiaroc.org)

Licensing Preparation

AR|E|RA study sessions allow those in the process of studying for the ARE exams to sit down with others, both licensed and not, to work through questions, share materials, and prepare to sit for the exams.
Contact: Christian Jankuloski, Associate AIA (cjankuloski@cjsarchitects.com) or Dustin Welch, AIA (dwelch@passero.com)

Membership Directory

This committee keeps the chapter’s Membership Directory up to date to ensure its value to members and the community. We use InDesign and Google Sheets (similar to Excel) – experience is helpful but training can be provided. The committee meets virtually every other month to review member updates, and quarterly with the Executive Director. Tasks include proofreading, data cleanup, working with firms to update firm profile information, and reviewing submissions for the annual Cover Contest.
Contact: Erin Powers, AIA (epowers@labellapc.com)
Executive Director, Linda Hewitt(lbhewitt@aiaroc.org)

Newsletter

The Newsletter Committee helps to review and proofread the newsletter prior to publication each month. They can also collect and submit content to the editor.
Contact: Linda Hewitt, Executive Director (lbhewitt@aiaroc.org)

Committee on the Environment (COTE)

COTE is an AIA Knowledge Community working for architects, allied professionals, and the public to achieve climate action and climate justice through design. We believe that design excellence is the foundation of a healthy, sustainable, and equitable future.
Contact: Jamie Bucci, AIA (jbucci@swbr.com) www.aiaroc.org/events

Social Impact

This group of motivated members is planning a community centered physical built project in a local disadvantaged neighborhood. This is a long-term project which virtually meets monthly. The project will tentatively take place in mid to late 2024.
Contact: Christian Jankuloski, Associate AIA (cjankuloski@cjsarchitects.com)

Firm Liaisons