The Young Architects Forum (YAF), a program of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the College of Fellows (COF), is organized to address issues of particular importance to recently licensed architects (within 10 years or fewer after licensure). The YAF is an outgrowth of a 1989 AIA Grassroots program involving 36 young architects from around the nation assembled by then AIA President Ben Brewer Jr., FAIA. The issues raised and potential benefits visualized at that meeting led to the 1991 formation of a national YAF Advisory Committee to encourage the development of national and regional programs of interest to young architects and the creation of YAF groups in local chapters.

Throughout its history, the YAF has had three overriding goals:

• To encourage professional growth and leadership development among recently licensed architects through interaction and collaboration within the AIA and allied groups.
• To build a national network and serve as a collective voice for young architects by working to ensure that issues of particular relevance to young architects are appropriately addressed by the Institute.
• To make AIA membership valuable to young architects and develop the future leadership of the profession.

The Phoenix Metro YAF meets the forth Thursday of each month, noon at the AIA Arizona Headquarters.  Mark your calendar for the upcoming YAF meetings:

April 22
May 27
June 24
July 22
August 26
September 23
October 28
November (date tbd)
Demember (date tbd)

Visit the YAF page at http://www.aia.org/yaf_default
Click here to view the latest newsletter from WMR YAF representatives.