AIA National Convention - Minority Engagement - Advisory Group

Hello,

I am writing you to ask for your assistance in developing the planning for the AIA National Convention that will be held in Boston in May of 2008. It may seem like a long way from now but the planning of tours, seminars and special events is moving at a quick pace. This brings me to the reason I am emailing you today. I am looking to form an advisory committee whose mission will be to develop a strategy for increasing minority engagement during the AIA National Convention in 2008. As The National AIA President is Marshall Purnell, a black architect. This is the first time the AIA has had a black president. And given our own Massachusetts first, Governor Deval Patrick, it is special opportunity to show off how the city has changed in the last 10 to 15 years. The BSA, Boston Society of Architects, is organizing much of the efforts leading up to the Convention; however, I have been concerned that the perspective of minority groups might be overlooked in the planning without putting particular efforts toward this goal.

I am writing each of you in particular for your ability to connect with people in your field or the network you can drawn upon during this planning process. Therefore I ask you to review my draft memo that lays out the mission vision goals and agenda for a meeting. And finally ask for your participation in the group. I hope you will consider joining me for the two meetings I will be planning.

Thank you

Jay