Meeting Minutes

The following is the Minutes of SIAP Board of Directors' meeting on 01/07/2010:

Meeting Date: January 7, 2010
Location: Yahoo Center Community Room

SIAP Board Members Meeting

Members present:

Shahram Shokoufandeh
Iraj Yamin-Esfandiary
Hashem Mojarrab
Abdi Ziai
Pari Ghaemian
Mohammad Behboodi
Saviz (Sam) Azadi
Sevana Sardarian
Mahshid Ehteshami

Items discussed:

1- The 2010 president of SIAP Mr. Shahram Shokoufandeh after acknowledging the past year’s work and efforts to run SIAP, asked past president of SIAP Mr. Hashem Mojarrab of any guidance or suggestions for new board members. 

After congratulating all new members, the following are Hashem’s suggestions:

- Stay Active

- if you need any help, just let me know

- all the developments are proceeding satisfactory and all new suggestions are good and constructive

2- Following are list of ongoing business:

- No copies of original Corporation Documents are available

Mr. Iraj Yamin-Esfandiary, Mr. Bijan Armandpour, Mr. Gharavi, Mr. Mohammad Moayeri, and Mr. Borghei each should have one copy.  This document consists of SIAP’s format, tax information, articles regarding its non -profit organization, etc.

This is a package of 10 to 15 pages in a colored folder. Mr. Iraj Yamin-Esfandiary stated that he does not recall keeping such a package. Mr. Hashem Mojarrab stated that he himself made copies from the original copy who belonged to Iraj Yamin-Esfandiary and distributed among the orginal board members.

3- Shahram asked Hashem to provide him with the mailing list.  Hashem stated that Majid keeps the list and Pouya is keeping an incomplete list. Iraj Yamin-Esfandiary’s e-mail list was updated 5 years ago.  Iraj Yamin-Esfandiary stated that in the past few years SIAP has lost half of its e-mail receivers mostly residents of Canada and those who live outside United States. To avoid the number of e-mails that are going to be sent, it was suggested to send a mass e-mail and give the SIAP website address for the use and reference of all interested parties.

Hashem suggested writing a mass e-mail to all whose name is in the mailing list and advising them that they will be receiving regular e-mails from SIAP unless they specifically advise SIAP that they want their name to be removed from mailing list. Some of the e mail recipients are located in the east coast and some are living in Iran.

4- Mr. Abdi Ziai stated that it has been proposed to divide the list into members, non-members, local and out of town residents.

5- Hashem suggested adding the “Gofteman Program” in the website.

6- Mahshid is going to write the Meeting Minutes in English and send a copy to Majid to post it in internet

7- Hashem shall send Mahshid, the correct format of the minutes

8- Shahram stated that the date for Norooz party has been set for Sunday March 28, 2010.  The Norooz committee has selected Annenberg Community Center, part of City of Santa Monica.  The party shall cost $1700 + Security = $2000.  The food shall be provided by this facility.  Wine and Beer are the only drinks served. 

Mr. Mohammad Behboodi stated that Camden house charges only $20 per person for food and location.  Drinks are to be paid separately. Shahram said that the community Center is very beautiful and is by the beach.  Also it is very important for SIAP to throw the party in an architecturally pleasing location.

9- Hashem stated that he is keeping in touch with the members of the Architectural Society in Iran.  He stated that the Iranian Society has suggested that SIAP becomes part of the Iranian Society.  Hashem has responded that SIAP will accept this offer with the condition that SIAP will be recognized as founding member.

Mahshid is against this proposition.  Mahshid stated that SIAP was not actually evolved in founding this society and it is not fair to its founders to be considered as one of their founders.Everybody voted to keep contacts with Architectural Society in Iran and every other Iranian Architectural Society around the globe.

10- Shahram read the following Agenda:

Arch. Ahmad Goshaieshi, an Iranian resident Architect is currently in Los Angeles for few more days.  Talks have been exchanged to organize a Thursday presentation about Architecture in Iran. Mr Goshaieshi is an expert in New Style in Iranian Architecture and wants to explain in what direction is the Architecture in Iran going.  Mr. Ali Kiafar is going to participate in this open discussion.  The date shall be either January 14 or 28.

11- The SIAP activities for 2010 are per following:

- To Select the Secretary and treasurer

- The goal is to keep the board and all committees more busy

- The committee will give the complete report to the board members for approval

12- The next committee shall be Norooz committee

13- AIA committee shall be formed with the following members: MR. Hooshang Borgghei, Mr. Mohammad Borghei and Mr. Bijan Armandpour.

14- There will be a walk trough in one of Santa Monica’s Green Building on January 16, 2010.

15-  Mr. Abdi Ziai suggested to become a member of US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL.  The cost will be $100.  The benefit is that the SIAP members will pay at the discounted price for their events.  Every board member voted to confirm.  It was decided to not become an affiliate.

16-  Iraj Yamin-Esfandiary asked what are the direction and the goals of SIAP for this year  and what steps have been taken.

17- Shahram and Abdi have already discussed about SIAP’s programs, activities and events and have founded a base which will be discussed in the next meeting.  For example there will be a new committee called communication Committee whose job is to increase SIAP’s communications and to find jobs for the members.  This committee shall create a chart, will collect everybody’s opinion and will further develop base on the collected information.

18- Iraj Yamin-Esfandiary stated that committees were created so those members, who shared same interest, could form a new committee.  If 3 people show interest, they can work on that committee.  For example are there any members who are interested to work on communication committee?  For example is AIA a sub-committee of communication committee?

19- Hashem stated that in the past 2 years SIAP direction was Green.  What is this year’s direction? And what is the board vision for this year?  Shahram presented a draft, which showed the hierarchical activities for SIAP.  He stated that because there are too many activities we have to be more flexible.  Abdi reminded that at the previous board meeting which dinner was served, he asked whoever wants to be involved in the committee to e-mail him and that is how the base and the chart were created.  Shahram stated that to his opinion we should not have only one direction.  Iraj suggested to Shahram, to provide everybody with this draft so members have time to go over it and to find out if they are interested in any of the committees.  This should be done as soon as possible.

Ms. Pari Ghaemian stated that last year we had one theme and that was Green and I suggest that we proceed with the same theme for this year. Shahram said that I just don’t want to be one directional.  Pari said we can talk about this year’s theme right now.

Mohammad Behboodi stated that we have identified the work mechanism and as Iraj stated if 3 people show interest and participate, that committee will work.  We don’t know what will happen 6 months from now.  We can place this draft in the web, ask people’s opinion and their responses in the web.  Let’s don’t decide right now. Abdi said to make it more interesting, when the committees are created, to give each committee an opportunity to make their presentation.

20-  Hashem said that we can plan our presentations for the next 3 months. Shahram said we are working on the presentation schedules.

21- Hashem asked “what is AIA group?”  When was it formed?  Why you don’t ask us questions?  Have you ever had a non-public meeting?  Shahram stated that the plan is for AIA and SIAP to have shared presentations and programs.  The board committee has discussed these issues in previous session.  The shared committee will help both members to gain points.

22- Iraj stated that up to 4 or 5 years ago, before  Mr. Bijan Armandpour  became president, SIAP’s presentations were only once a month.  During Mr. Armandpour’s presidency it changed to twice a week. 

23- Sevana suggested to show active and non-active areas in the website with different colors and this way if somebody wants to help or work on one specific committee, can present him or herself.  Mr. Behboodi suggested sending the list to all members and removing those areas from the list that have no votes.

24-  Hashem emphasized that a mew  treasurer has to be nominated.  Hashem offered to continue the paperwork.  When the new treasurer is assigned, he or she together with the previous treasurer has to go to the bank to sign the new name.

Iraj Yamin-Esfandiary said that the duty of the treasurer is to keep the SIAP’s fund and inform the board members who has paid and who has not.  Because all other members except Mahshid and Saviz (Sam) are either at positions that can’t become the treasurer or they had the same assignment last year, the treasures should either be Mahshid or Saviz (Sam).  Sam Azadi was nominated as the treasurer.

End of minutes at 8:58 p.m.

Next Meeting:
Date:  January 28, 2010
Location: Yahoo Center Community Room

[Home] [Contact Us] [Privacy Policy] [About us]
©1998-2010  Society Of Iranian Architects & Planners
 All rights reserved.
This site is protected by copyright and trademark laws under US and international law.
Please review our Privacy Policy.
________
This Site sponsored by:
  
_________

Web design:

________