Iowa Women in Architecture Announces A Call for Board Nominations

Iowa Women in Architecture will have the following open board positions for the 2017-2018 Ballot:

Vice Chair: Term of one year, moves to Chair in October 2018

  • Provides support for the Board Chair and Liaison to Education and Programs Committee

Director of Accounts: Term of two years

  • Tracks income and spending for the organization, Prepares monthly financial reports and tax forms, Compiles annual budget

If you are interested in serving in either of these board positions or would like to learn more about the positions, please contact Iowa Women in Architecture at iawomenarch@gmail.com.  Please include your name, contact information and note which position(s) you are interested in or if you wish to nominate someone.  A board member will follow up with you or the nominee,  requesting a brief letter of interest and a short biography.

Submitted by Linda Schemmel

Event Recap | BPR Chicago Presentation

On May 11, Iowa Women in Architecture members, Jeanne Huntsman and Laura Kessel, presented in Chicago at Ross Barney Architects to a sold-out group of approximately 60 people. The presentation, “Attract, Engage, Retain, Promote: Tools for Equitable Practice,” was co-hosted by Chicago Women in Architecture and AIA Chicago with additional sponsorship from Redmond Construction Corp. Landon Bone Baker Architects and Shive Hattery. The interactive presentation introduced attendees to the iaWia Best Practice Recommendations Document and allowed attendees to use the document to tackle relevant issues in groups. Participants were very complimentary of iaWia’s efforts on the Document. One firm owner would like to share it with her HR consultant as an example of the direction they need to head. Thank you to all of our volunteers that have contributed to this important effort!

Event Recap | Networking with Danny Beyer

On July 11, CREW Iowa and Iowa Women in Architecture co-hosted networking specialist, Danny Beyer. Through an interactive talk, Beyer emphasized how networking helps people accomplish more, but that many people (including himself once) dislike and fear networking. He shared how the traditional fears people have and mistakes people make when trying to network can be easily avoided with a few simple reminders and tips:

  • What is networking?
    • Networking is building relationships, networks, and trust so you can support them and they can support you. As Beyer’s father told him, it is “talking to people, you idiot.”
  • Tip One: Don’t talk about work. Ask great questions. Have great conversations.
    • Approximately 2/3rds of people don’t like their work which creates a potentially bad start to any conversation. Instead, ask questions such as “What’s your story?” “What do you do for fun?” or “What are you passionate about?”
  • Tip Two: You have to be willing to tell people what you want.A lot of people suffer for being too nice or worry about being perceived as using other people.  You have to be able to ask people if they can help.
    • Remember, people want to help their friends.
  • Tip Three: End your interactions, coffee dates, and meetings (informal or formal) with the question: “How can I help you?”  AND follow through.
    • This cements your relationship and opens doors for the future.
  • Tricks for Remembering Names
    • Stop telling yourself you can’t remember names. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as you then stop trying to remember.
    • The easiest way to remember a name is to have a great conversation. (See Tip Two!)
  • Tips for Women
    • Danny’s survey work addressed some of these concerns, but he doesn’t believe he is an authority on gender-specific advice. His tips and tricks are as gender neutral as possible. In general, he recommends: 1) Don’t be afraid to go to the table, 2) “Lean in,” and 3) Be confident.
  • Networking with Age Differences
    • Have great conversations helps bridge the age gap. Mentorship can go both ways.
Submitted by Laura Kessel