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Dear Friends,
Hope you are all staying safe and are well. The last few months have been unusual and very sad, and have affected our lives and thinking in many ways, but I urge you all to stay positive, keep calm and carry on. My personal experience assures me that we are a group of compassionate people who care and together we will get through this.
On a positive note, ASLA is now offering free ASLA membership to all students. We feel this is a great investment in the future. Many thanks to our own Dennis Nola, ASLA, VP of Membership for National ASLA, for leading this effort.
Few key highlights from National ASLA:
ASLA leadership with staff led a weeklong response to the murder of George Floyd, police violence against black lives, and racial injustice that included a statement from President Wendy Miller, FASLA, participation in #BlackoutTuesday, ASLA’s “Black Lives Matter. Black Communities Matter” commitment to stand in solidarity with black people and communities, partner meetings with leadership of the Black Landscape Architects Network (BlackLAN), and the BlackLAN statement on racial injustice. ASLA will build a sustainable strategy, led by BlackLAN, that addresses issues of racial injustice against black lives, examines the historic role of landscape architecture and landscape architects, and provides solutions.
In late May, ASLA hosted COVID-19 and Contract Performance, a webinar on how COVID-19 may be affecting current projects for landscape architects working under existing contracts. The speakers specifically addressed the 2020 ASLA Standard Form Contract for Professional Services between Landscape Architect and Client, including key issues that have emerged during the crisis and that parties need to consider in light of COVID-19. The recorded webinar is now available through the ASLA Business Toolkit.
ASLA launched its first celebration of LGBTQIA Pride Month. Celebrations included a dedicated webpage featuring the work of Claude Cormier, a special message from Breeze Outlaw (Zie/Zir/They/Them), ASLA, and facilitated following virtual events:
o FREE PDH of the Month—Rebroadcast: Queer Urbanism and Design
o June 11, 2 pm ET—Live Chat: Q&A Discussion of Queer Urbanism and Design
o June 17, 2 pm ET—Space, Places & Pride: LGBTQIA Perspectives in Landscape Architecture
o June 25, 4 pm ET—Virtual Happy Hour
Your voice is our strength! Help make a difference at ASLA. Join a national committee! The Call for Committee Service is open through July 24. This is a great way to stay involved at the national level and be heard!
We understand that you all are busy with navigating through life and work. However, your chapter always needs your support. We are still looking for an individual to be our membership chair, and a Treasurer. If you wish to contribute to this effort and the profession, please feel free to reach out to us at president@marylandasla.org.
I thank you all for your support to ASLA in various ways including continuing your memberships even in this difficult time. Please keep an eye on your membership renewals and please make an effort to renew. ASLA is also offering waivers to lapsed members, so please contact us if you cannot continue your membership due to hardships. We cannot do it without you!
Sincerely,
Om Khurjekar, PLA, ASLA
Trustee MDASLA