SYR - January Recap

1) Being a geographically separated chapter, How can members be more active in their locations?
and how can we be a stronger chapter by doing this?

I think you are on to something with the whole internet communication between us being so separated. By each meeting individually and reporting back we can read each others threads and respond/react through that, it is just a matter of getting everyone to do so. I will post a thread regarding ours this weekend and try to get in a better practice of checking the site and being active, I will also pass the word along to the others. Once we make it a habit it gets easier, at least for me! On our end we spoke about meeting other places such as a gallery, exhibition or any other place that breaks it up for us. How often do we normally have a creative eats? and what areas are technically included in the upstate chapter... Syr., Roch., and Albany I believe?

2) AIGA members are leaders in design - how are you leading in your community/work place?

Not much response in this area besides we are doing our job at work trying to spread good design and speak our mind and of course trying to re-establish UPTNY AIGA! It is such a scary time that I think we all need to make ourselves as valuable as we are in the workplace to ensure some job security. I hear of people getting laid off or such industries as flash/animation being outsourced more to outside of the country. (Funny I just heard of that twice this week!) And to your comment regarding a lack of respect for designers, so very right. People forget that we are a skill and creativity just does not happen and it does take time. It is this economy!

3) Would anyone be interested in writing articles for the web site?

Yes, there was definitely interest in this but wanted some more information as in define writing articles, topics - topical regional issues?, could we rotate out who writes?

I hope this is a good start and look forward to your responses.