Fall is a good time to pause to remember and to be thankful for all the positive things that have happened this year. When I look back at the year, I feel truly blessed to have served as the President of AIA Ohio at this time surrounded by a group of passionate and dedicated professionals who have invested countless hours advancing the organization for the benefit of our members and the profession.

The Ohio General finished the first four months of the new session, leaving only two months before summer recess.

As we enter October, most of us are looking at our firms’ goals and expectations for the year and trying to figure out how we can either play catch-up or spend that extra cash that we somehow, surprisingly, earned. The same can be said for non-profit entities, like AIA components, who seek to advance and fulfill their mission. While firms rely on past clients and new work generated through their clients, non-profits tend to require a completely different approach. In an article published by the Nonprofit Consulting Group, the author discusses the need to connect the forward-looking elements of a strategic plan with the development of a financial plan. Like a strategic plan, the financial plan provides goals that allow the organization to be not only successful, but to grow in good times, and weather the bad times.

To celebrate World Architecture Month, AIA Cincinnati is hosting a series of programs, starting with an exhibit of the 2021 CRANawards winning projects at the Cincinnati Center for Architecture and Design (1114 Race Street in Over-the-Rhine) in October and November.

AIA Cincinnati’s Urban Design committee hosts a virtual panel discussion on incremental development on October 13. Jenifer Acosta and her firm are known for redeveloping historic buildings and innovative community development work. Acosta is on the faculty of the Incremental Development Alliance and will share her expertise on small-scale real estate development. Sarah Thomas will provide a local perspective from her experience as a principal at Grey Rock Development, addressing the development and redevelopment of missing middle housing types. Thomas is also the executive director of NEST, which has strategically and incrementally developed single-family housing in Northside.