A new year brings fresh aspirations and hope... we sure need a little of both. To that end, we start with a new theme for 2010 Chapter Meeting programming under the comprehensive heading, "Architectural and Design Research". For those of you in attendance at the January 21st Chapter Meeting in the newly occupied, and thus officially launched, Center for Architecture, you participated in a compelling presentation by NBBJ on their ChangeDesign program. The three lecturers focused upon representative case studies demonstrating directly applied research to actual, domestic and international projects including an introduction to the firm's design process and methodologies for implementation. You can expect more on-message content in each of the upcoming chapter meetings. For February, we will have Denny Griffith, President of CCAD, preside over a panel composed of the Deans of CCAD's degreed programs with insight into how research finds its way into fine arts education. I urge you to attend and to experience the Center's energy for yourself.

Also in 2010, we are making a concerted effort to re-energize the work of the Chapter within our newly reshuffled committee structure, through a series of kick-off meetings with each Committee Chair attended by their assigned Director and myself. We are about halfway through the process and the meetings are proving to be dynamic, thought provoking and topical. We are also reintroducing the Chapter membership to all of the committees, their mission and their 2010 plan by lifting up three committees per chapter meeting over the course of the upcoming calendar year. In January we heard from committee chairs Terri Slick, AIA, of the Continuing Education Committee, Gary Bruck, AIA, of the Architectural Awareness Committee and Brian Skripac, Assoc. AIA, of the newly formed Technology in Architectural Practice Committee. Through this reintroduction process, we hope to remind members of the broad scope of activities and interests represented in the work of the Chapter's committees and thereby attract a new group of engaged members to inject the committees with fresh ideas and raw energy. In the next few weeks, I hope to hear back from the committee chairs about each of their expanding rosters so don't be shy. Call Gwen or Kate in the Chapter office to get connected with a committee and attend a committee meeting that matches your particular interest area and passion for the profession...who knows, it might be a perfect fit.

Talk to you next month,

Peter Macrae, AIA