This was my third Leadership Retreat, and though I've been inspired and energized by previous meet-ups, this one was decidedly different. It's always exciting when 200+ dedicated AIGA volunteers get together in one room - 60+ chapters were represented, plus a few special programs and a slew of new national board members - but this year, we had some historic business to attend to.
There was an interesting mix of breakout sessions with productive and informative discussions: Creating Regional Design Competitions, Managing Chapter Finances, Growing a Diverse Chapter Membership, and many more. I led a discussion centered on reaching in-house designers and building value into their membership, both nationally and locally. Talking with in-house folks never fails to remind me that this group, like many others, has unique concerns and hopes, and that our organization needs to do all we can to address and represent them.
But the real meal, as it were, was the Constitutional Convention. This year, we had gathered to consider and ratify a mandate for the future of AIGA, which marks 100 years as the professional association for design in 2014. Prior to meeting in Portland, each of us had read the Findings compiled by AIGA's staff, a series of conclusions culled from the nationwide member survey, chapter roundtable discussions, and data about designers of every age. You'll soon be reading and hearing about these in detail; the work we did in Portland will finesse AIGA's plan for the future and we'll push out the results to every member.
There was lively, sometimes intense discussion at small group sessions about each of the findings. At one, we debated just how to present the value and effectiveness of design to business. At another, we talked about how to overcome geography by making lectures from inspiring designers available digitally, so that every member and chapter could experience them.
The retreat culminated in the Constitutional Convention, which took place Saturday. One by one, the 60+ chapters with representation at the retreat were called upon to declare or deny their support of the 2014 mandate. When it came time for us to represent, I could not have been prouder to stand at the microphone, as fellow board member Jane Lee waved our placard, to declare, "In this, the 25th anniversary year of the Los Angeles chapter, the 1,305 tanned, fit and decidedly NOT shallow members of AIGA|LA say 'yea' to the new mandate."
It was, in the end, a unanimous show of support for AIGA's new direction. And kudos to Josh Silverman, from Rhode Island, for adding the most hilarious caveat of all, bringing the proceedings to a standstill as we all roared with laughter. I won't reveal the punch line, but if you track down Josh, he may choose to share it. Then again, Sean Adams may be good for a hint as well.
Each of AIGA's 17,000 members will be hearing soon about where we're headed together. And then, just as it's always been, it's up to us. There is no "they" in AIGA. It's an organization formed of, and driven by, volunteer members. This is both the strength and the challenge of forging ahead into a second century of service. Collectively, the paths we make to represent, expand, and share the particular joys and challenges of our amazing - and deeply impactful - profession will be a historic journey. And each of us will be a teller of the tale.
Michael Lejeune
President, AIGA|LA
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