Over the past 25 years I have volunteered my time in different capacities towards the charities and internal committees that I am passionate about. Externally, from helping raise funds for Habitat for Humanity to walking dogs that have been dropped off at local shelters. Internally, from finding and chairing a committee of volunteers to perform at a large scale talent show to managing a 2,000 person registration for a conference. Why do I do it? Experience for one, but mainly to meet people and share in the excitement of making a difference, even if it is a small one.
So I ask myself, “What if Iasa’s architects were passionate about our vision and values for the architecture profession?” Would they become Iasa’s ambassadors globally? How would this change Iasa as a whole, the profession as a whole? What impact could they make and ultimately why are they volunteering their time and expertise?
Why are they volunteering, is what I think about throughout the day for this drives my interaction with Iasa’s volunteers. It makes me reflect on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
When it comes to volunteering, the self-actualization, esteem and love/belonging needs are met at different levels. For me the following needs are met every time I volunteer:
- self-esteem boost,
- a sense of achievement is reached,
- I have made many friends within these experiences (some known over 15 years),
- I was able to be creative (one of my favorites) and
- I have definitely increased my problem-solving ability and speed at which I can solve problems
I can think of many ways the profession can be changed and how Iasa and other architect-focused companies can be impacted but I am not an architect. This is why we need architects of all specializations, backgrounds and different areas to think differently about architecture. It’s not just a job, it’s a global community of professionals. Hopefully, many of those professionals are willing to come together to make a difference for the profession and at the same time meet your basic human needs.
Perhaps you the reader, are not familiar with Iasa’s vision? Iasa is committed to improving the quality of the IT architecture industry by developing and delivering standards, education programs and developing accreditation programs and services that optimize the development of architecture profession. Ultimately, to help make IT Architecture one of the most recognized professions in the world.
Now it’s time to ask yourself, “What if?”.
