SAME AND AIA – WHAT’S THE CONNECTION?

On January 15th, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) executed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that propelled the two organizations to collaborate in continuing education, national conferences, awards and publications.

In January 2020, two members of SAME Architectural Practice Community of Interest (APCOI), who are also members of the American Institute of Architects, took it upon themselves to take this national initiative and foster this relationship and collaboration at the local level between the SAME South Florida post and AIA Miami Chapter. Past President for the SAME South Florida Post, Daphne I. Gurri, AIA, RID, LEED AP completed her term as Post President to then become President-Elect of AIA Miami in 2019; and now; in 2020; became President of AIA Miami.

At the same time, Virgil Campaneria, AIA was inaugurated as the President of the SAME South Florida Post in January 2020. While both Ms. Gurri and Mr. Campaneria are serving concurrent terms as Presidents of these two prestigious organizations in 2020, part of their mission is to increase the collaboration of both South Florida organizations by creating joint events and cross promoting continuing education opportunities, networking opportunities and, most importantly, advocating for STEM careers to young children. Although COVID-19 has suspended planned events through June 1st, both AIA Miami and SAME SF Post are pivoting planned joint social networking events and conferences to virtual, online events. Coming soon for AIA-Miami & SAME SF Post will be continuing education webinars, led by José G. Matute, AIA, RID, CGC, LEED AP, our current SAME APCOI Vice Chair for Professional Education Programs; as well as Town Hall meetings on “Effective Business Development While Social Distancing.”

Programming for these events will be circulated and promoted through the membership of both organizations. The first AIA-SAME joint event to take place in Miami was “STEAM Speaks,” a yearly STEM program created by Ms. Gurri over five years ago. This day-long yearly event, which has been successfully supported by members of both SAME and AIA Miami, is a very successful outreach program that engages, on average, five to eight AIA Architects and three to five SAME SF Post members; with over 80 children. “Creating programming that serves both SAME and AIA members has been a very rewarding experience”, said Ms. Gurri. “Since many members in the SAME APC are already AIA members, jointly held events are a great opportunity to serve the membership of both organizations effectively and to create value through the power of collaboration.”

About Gurrimatute

Gurrimatute is an architectural/interior design firm headquartered in South Florida that is focused on the following practice areas - Aviation, Civic/Federal, Educational and Healthcare projects. Principals Daphne I. Gurri, AIA, RID, LEED AP, José G. Matute, AIA, RID, CGC, LEED AP, and Virgil Campaneria, AIA are all SAME and AIA members. A sustaining member of SAME, Gurrimatute is also a EDWOSB certified firm.

Article published in The Society of American Military Engineers Architectural Practice Community.

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