Resolution 15-4: Transparency in AIA Voting

Renee Catacalos <aiapotomacvalley@gmail.com>
FW: Attempts to answer questions about AIA resolution 15.4 for your
consideration
CCR Architects <ccrarchitects@verizon.net>
Sat, Apr 18, 2015 at 2:50 PM
Reply­To: ccrarchitects@verizon.net
To: pasnik@overcommaunder.com
Cc: tamara.roy@stantec.com, slewis@grlarchitects.com, navneeta@aol.com, hfantini@hotmail.com,
chriswfarley@gmail.com, tom@coldhamandhartman.com, lpavlova@cp.umass.edu, architurtle@gmail.com,
ethananthony@hdb.com, elisewoodward@gmail.com, rbrennan@brennanarch.com, aconsoli@af.umaryland.edu,
sday@gwwoinc.com, membership@aiabalt.com, toml@marks­thomas.com, apowell@asg­architects.com,
bfrederick@beckermorgan.com, rkleponis@skastudio.com, gsakellis@beckermorgan.com, emschuncke@verizon.net,
tsheil01@yahoo.com, loreen.arnold@arnoldandarnold.net, wbroadfield@gmail.com, renee@aiapv.org,
joseph.p.lai@gmail.com, tom.nyein@gmail.com, jszymanski@gparch.com, bblazejak@hcm2.com,
ccrarchitects@verizon.net, ldriskill@hcm2.com, larry@bfmarch.com, sdqknudson@gmail.com, ksherrill@spa­
corp.com, jasoncwinters@gmail.com, gavin@carolwilsonarchitect.com
AIA Maryland has presented Resolution 15­4 “ Bring Transparency to AIA Voting” to the Atlanta Convention.
It is simple and straightforward, calling for the results of the election of officers to be published. We propose this
Resolution in the spirit of the repositioning, to move us in the direction of an organization that answers to its
membership. We respectfully ask you to consider this resolution, and if you agree with its premise, we appreciate
your
support in Atlanta.
Following are responses to a few questions that have been asked:
Q: Candidates who lose the elections will suffer disappointment and embarrassment. Will this create ill feelings
within
The organization ?
A: Losing candidates will be disappointed, but we believe that they have the best interest of the profession in
mind.
Repressing information is not the best way to build trust and consensus.
Q : Will our names be disclosed with how each of us voted ?
A: This Resolution makes it clear that the Secret Ballot will be preserved. No delegate names will be mentioned.
Q : I rather like voting for candidates in a booth on the Exhibit Hall floor and shaking hands with our Legal
Counsel, Jay Stephens.
A: Resolution 15­4 is silent as to how delegates cast their ballots, so the present system could be retained. Futher questions have been asked by a colleague:
 Is this measure intended to address a lack of trust in the competency of the current election process? Answer: To the extent that the current AIA voting process does not accord with American voting practices,
yes.
 Will this measure if successful encourage candidates who lose by a small number of votes to call for
recount/etc (as commonly happens in public elections)
Answer: American elections have a very few recounts as a percentage of elections and, despite the
collegiality of our fraternal organization that could possibly happen, but it is a risk allowed by freedom,
which is the essential thing.
 Will this measure if successful ‘disenfranchise’ candidates who win by narrow margins, and embarrass those
who lose by wide margins?
Answer: Our profession is marked by disappointments; long lists, short, lists, interviews, where all but one
must be rejected. It is wonderful part of our culture that we continue on, and somehow remain friends
with our competitors.
 Will this measure if successful discourage some very qualified candidates from running because of a fear that
numeric results might be considered a measure of popularity, relevance, or import?
Answer: to extent that an architect would leave the profession due to its competitive and ego‐bruising
nature, then
that could happen in this case. Again, a risk of living under freedom.
 What are the positives things this measure is intended to accomplish, so that members might weigh them
against the potential negatives that might be unintended consequences?
Answer: against all the “UC’s”, we posit that the overall freedom of all knowing the electoral score will be
worth it.
As Churchill famously said, sort of,“ Democracy stinks, but all the other systems are far worse.”
John F. Corkill, Jr., AIA
Title
Bring Transparency to AIA Voting
Sponsor
AIA Maryland
Intent
In keeping with the spirit of repositioning a member‐driven organization, post the
results of elections for AIA National officers.
Text of Resolution
WHEREAS, The American Institute of Architects has historically withheld election
totals for leadership positions; and
WHEREAS, AIA today at convention accurately and safely counts ballots
for resolutions instantly by electronic devices that keep all voting delegates’
names secret; and
WHEREAS, for citizens of a democracy it is standard practice to know the details
of our free and open elections.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The American Institute of Architects shall
make public all election vote totals by component with individual voters’ names
not divulged; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The American Institute of Architects after this
Convention revise officer candidate elections to make the numbers of votes
available to the membership at the completion of balloting.