What does it mean to be an association for students and run by students? How do you create member value and drive retention when your members turn over every few years? How do you advocate for student members in a rigorous profession that can be very hard on students?

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Larry Hoffer, Executive Director, American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). Larry introduces AIAS, talks about his journey to becoming Executive Director, and then shares what the organization is doing to advocate for students and provide real benefits. Larry discusses:

• How the AIAS Board President and Vice President change every year AND work for the Executive Director.
• The Alliance, which is a coalition of architecture associations from around the country, including AIAS, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA).
• How Larry focused on staffing at AIAS after two years of the association being chronically understaffed as a result of the pandemic.
• How AIAS has brought back in person meetings, to the delight of members.
• How membership and meeting attendance are way up.
• The benefit that Larry is most proud of: four free counseling sessions from Better Help for ALL members, no matter where they are in the world.

References:

• AIAS website
• AIAS chapters