ELP 2011- Fundraiser Event



“Lots of fun!!!!!”

“Had a great time!!!!”

“Event was a great Success!”

“Great atmosphere!!!”

“Great way to unwind and meet people”

“Love the food!!!”

“Meet a lot of interesting people”

“It was a very successful effort”

“BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE!!!!!”

This is what people were saying after the first fundraiser event held by the 2011 ELP class. The Mini Golf + Happy Hour took place at Adventure Landing in North Dallas on Thursday May 12, 2011. It was a beautiful day to get together with my fellow Emerging Leaders, past and present, along with many friends, co workers, and our many sponsors.

After enjoying the great food and drinks, I met up with my friends from Smith Seckman Reid (one of our sponsors) for 18 holes of miniature golf. I’ve worked with these guys for the past two years but it was really nice to hang out with them outside of work. Afterwards, I found out that I need to work on my putting game more often. 

At 8:30 that evening it was time for the main event, the raffle drawing. There were many great prizes including Texas Ranger’s tickets, Roughrider’s tickets, a Kindle and many others, but everyone had their eye on the grand prize, the ipad 2. The lucky people who got to take these prizes home were not the only winners; the biggest winner on the night was the Mercy Street Field of Dreams Project. All the proceeds from the Mini Golf + Happy Hour went to this great charity. This wasn’t my night to get a prize but I was really happy that this event was a tremendous success.

I was proud of all the hard work that our class had done, especially the Fundraising Committee. The only thing that would have made this night better was if I would have taken the ipad home with me. Oh well, maybe next time.

Emmanuel Jaimes

FKP Architects

ELP 2011 Architecture Advocacy (Group Discussion)- April 15, 2011

  At one point in time we have all been part of a team and team building strategies were key to our past class lead by Dr. Pete DeLisle.  It was a gorgeous, sunny Friday afternoon and 20 of us gathered outside for a little game of catch.  We grouped into teams, each formed a circle and tossed around a tennis ball.   First reciting the name of the target and then letting the ball fly.  Pretty easy, right?  We thought so too, until it became a complex problem.  Beginning with a simple game of catch with one tennis ball gradually increased to four simultaneously tennis balls flying in the air with each person shouting the name of their target while simultaneously catching a ball tossed by another.  You get the picture?

This flurry of activity was designed to mimic the theoretical “balls” we are all trying to juggle, manage and accept in our daily architectural practices.  The model signified the importance of trust and communication when working as a team.  Yes, a few tennis balls may have been dropped; however, if all teammates are paying attention the problem is quickly remedied and the task moves forward successfully. 

Emily Harrold

DSGN Associates

ELP 2011 Architecture Advocacy (Panelist Discussion)- April 15, 2011

April’s meeting provided the 2011 ELP class a chance to peruse the Plush Gallery in conjunction with the office of Cunningham Architects, in prelude to a great opportunity to discuss advocacy in architecture at a State and National level. The distinguished  panel of guest included Shade L. O’Quinn, 2012 President Elect of AIA Dallas, and 2010 Vice President; and Jennifer Workman, upcoming Chair of the National Young Architects Forum and Dallas Director on the TSA board .

Ms. Workman recalled her early involvement with the AIA as an associate member, and at the time recognized a need for the young emerging professionals to have a voice on local committees and boards.  This propelled her to seek a chair on the Associates committee and begin the A.R.E. Success Team which helped mentor and license numerous architects in record time.  She also shared that an effective advocate will strive to represent the needs of the profession at the State and National levels, and continue to become immersed in various avenues to help accomplish these goals. Ms. Workman exemplifies this message by serving as a chair for the AIA Dallas Ken Roberts Competition while preparing for her term as Chair of the National YAF. Mr. O’Quinn relayed his vast years of experience with the Dallas Chapter and identified the characteristics that make it stand out as one of the best in the nation. He also described the unique opportunities and challenges in working with a variety of interest at both the local and national level.

Kirby Zengler
JHP Architecture/Urban Design