Be the difference. Make an Impact.
AIA New York State is building a stronger architectural community one member at a time. The Councils are your opportunity to share your voice and expertise to help shape the profession of architecture in New York State.
No matter where you are in your career, there’s a place for you.
What are the Councils?
AIA New York State Councils are collaborative, member-driven groups that guide initiatives and programs across priority areas. Councils include a combination of Board members, volunteer members, and a staff liaison, their goal regularly identify and assess member and industry needs that fall within the scope of their respective focus areas.
To address these needs, councils form time-bound project teams to execute specific goals or explore new ideas. Project teams vary in scope, size, and duration and are open to participants both within and beyond the architecture profession and AIA membership.
Current Councils and project teams are as follows:
Advocacy Council
Engages in public policy, legislation, and grassroots advocacy on behalf of the profession.
▼Project Teams
Statute of Repose
The Statute of Repose Project Team works to advance legislation establishing a ten-year statute of repose for third-party claims. The team monitors legislation, develops advocacy and communications strategies, and analyzes the law’s impacts on architects’ liability, insurance costs, and professional risk.
Sustainability & Resiliency
The Sustainability & Resiliency Project Team advances AIANYS’s sustainability priorities by applying architects’ expertise to support New York State’s climate, environmental, and infrastructure goals. The team evaluates and shapes policy solutions that promote resilient, low-carbon, and sustainable communities through informed legislative and regulatory engagement.
Housing
The Housing Project Team promotes legislative and regulatory initiatives that expand access to affordable, equitable, and sustainable housing across New York State. It supports policies that strengthen housing production while advancing resilient and inclusive development of the built environment.
Advocacy Day
The Advocacy Day Project Team is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing AIANYS’s 2026 Advocacy Day in Albany in support of the organization’s legislative priorities. The team works closely with Government Affairs staff to shape the event’s structure, messaging, and legislator engagement strategy to ensure a successful and impactful presence during the legislative session.
State Agency Engagement
The State Agency Engagement Project Team strengthens AIANYS’s involvement in state regulatory and rulemaking processes by monitoring agency initiatives and assessing their impacts on the architectural profession. The team supports direct engagement with agencies through expert analysis, testimony, and member participation in specialized regulatory matters.
Artificial Intelligence
The Artificial Intelligence Project Team evaluates and helps define AIANYS’s stance, approach, and advocacy strategy related to artificial intelligence within the architectural profession. The team monitors and analyzes New York State legislation and regulatory initiatives on AI to assess their impacts on architects and recommend informed policy positions and engagement strategies.
Inter-Borough Coordination
The Inter-Borough Coordination Project Team aligns state-level government advocacy efforts among New York City AIA Chapters. It establishes shared policy priorities on NYC-specific legislative and regulatory issues to ensure coordinated, collective engagement.
Architect Visibility Council
Dedicated to recognizing and promoting architects and their contributions to the built environment through a comprehensive scholarship and awards program.
This council provides strategic direction for the following Programs:
- Design Awards
- Honor Awards
- Excelsior Awards
- Professional Service Awards
- Scholarships
Early Career Professionals Council
Supports members in the early stages of their careers with resources, mentorship, programming, and community.
▼Project Teams
Schools of Architecture
This project team will guide how AIANYS engages with architecture schools across New York State to strengthen the bridge between academia and professional practice. Early career architects can help shape student engagement, mentorship opportunities, and pathways into AIA New York State, ensuring emerging professionals feel supported before and after graduation.
Podcast Planning Group
This project team will help develop podcast concepts, topics, and guest ideas that elevate early career voices and timely issues in the profession. Members help shape conversations that reflect real career experiences, challenges, and innovations—bringing fresh perspectives to AIA New York State’s storytelling and outreach.
Volunteer Leadership Development Curriculum
This project team will guide the design of learning experiences that prepare early career members for volunteer and leadership roles within AIA New York State. Participants help define the skills, resources, and pathways needed to build confident, effective leaders who are ready to serve at the local, state, and national levels.
Forum Discussion Planning Group
This group curates engaging discussion topics and formats for member forums focused on issues that matter to early career architects. Team members shape inclusive, thoughtful conversations that foster peer learning, community connection, and meaningful dialogue across AIA New York State.
Communications Council
Elevate the contributions and expertise of our members through the development articles and thought leadership relevant to New York State Architects.
Professional Development Council
Advises on the design of continuing education, licensure support, and emerging learning formats.
▼Project Teams
Small Firm Symposium
The Small Firm Symposium Project Team supports the development and delivery of AIANYS’s 2026 virtual Small Firm Symposium, which will occur in September. Volunteers collaborate on shaping the program by identifying timely topics, reviewing presentation proposals, and assisting with the solicitation of keynote speakers and panelists. The team may also contribute ideas for marketing and sponsorship, including making introductions to potential partners aligned with the symposium’s goals. Members of this task-oriented team are expected to participate in virtual meetings approximately bi-weekly during the planning period and are well suited for those interested in advancing professional development opportunities tailored to small firm practice.
Tri-State Conference
The 2026 Tri-State Conference Project Team supports the planning and delivery of the joint conference hosted by AIA New York State in collaboration with AIA Pennsylvania and AIA New Jersey. Volunteers collaborate on shaping the overall conference theme, curating program content, reviewing presentation proposals, and assisting with the identification of keynote speakers and sponsor prospects. For this in-person event, the team may also help identify potential exhibitors for the tradeshow, brainstorm presenters for pre-conference intensives, and support the planning of local architecture tours in the Princeton area. This task-oriented team is well suited for members interested in contributing to a high-impact, multi-component professional development conference to be held 4–6 November at the Hyatt Regency Princeton.
Ready to Make an Impact?
We’re currently gathering interest from members who want to get involved. Let us know your areas of passion and experience, and we’ll follow up when opportunities arise that align.
Please note: Completing the interest form does not guarantee placement on a council. Final appointments are based on alignment with current needs, availability, and ensuring a diversity of voices and experiences across each council.
Council appointments are made annually and may include in-person or virtual onboarding. Short-term or project-based opportunities may also arise throughout the year.
Stay Connected
If you have any questions about volunteering or the new Councils, please reach out to Georgi Ann Bailey, CAE, Hon. AIA at gabailey@aianys.org.