Background: In November 2025, the AIA California Board of Directors voted into effect a new Governance Model. The plan transitioned AIA California governance from a Board of Directors based on Chapters representation + Executive Committee into three components. They are:

• Regional Directors
• Leadership (akin to the what has been the Executive Committee)
• California Representative Council (features representatives of each Chapter)

The Board of Directors (Regional Directors and additional positions), is reduced in size from its previous model and is composed of:

• Regional Directors (+ 2 Emerging Professional Directors appointed by the RDs)
• Leadership

Elections occurring in 2026 for the 2027 Board of Directors will be held in accordance with this new governance model.

When Do Elections Start?

Beginning August 12, 2026, with a call for nominations, and ending December 14, 2026, when the election results are announced.

Who is the 2026 Election For + Who Votes?

Regional Representatives to Serve on the 2027 Board of Directors
(To apply to run for a Regional Director position and learn more about the process, click here.

All members in good standing may run for the AIA California Board of Directors as a regional representative, and vote in the Regional Representative election for their area.

While Regional Directors bring the perspective of their region to Board discussions, their duty is to act in the best interests of AIA California as a whole.

(To apply to run for a Regional Director position and learn more the process, click here.)

Who Implements the Elections for Regional Directors?

AIA California administers the election. Local Chapters bring awareness to members.

Leadership – How are these Positions Elected?

The Board of Directors (composed of Regional Directors + Emerging Professional Directors + Sitting Leadership elect the organization’s Leadership for the next year. (This is a similar process to the previous model of the Board + Executive Committee.)

(The existing 2026 Board of Directors will vote for 2027 Leadership. Individuals running for 2027 Regional Directors will vote for 2028 Leadership.)

What does Leadership Do?

Provides strategic leadership for AIA California. Acts in the best interests of AIA California.

When is Leadership Elected?

Call for Nominations Opens August 13, 2026 | Election is at the November 13, 2026 AIA California Board of Directors Meeting.

Learn more about running for Leadership, here. 

With these Changes, How Are Local Chapter Voices Heard Directly?

The California Representative Council
The California Representative Council serves as the voice of each local components’ membership, representing the interests of their local component and membership. This new governance component: gathers issues from members; filters and prioritizes this input, and develops strategic input briefs for Board action. The Board of Directors reports back to CRC annually.

CRC members are elected or appointed by each local component in accordance with its bylaws. Chapters report the names of their representatives to AIA California by December 15, 2026.

Reach out to your local component for more details on the appointment or election process for this position.

Why the New Governance Model?

• Increase agility and nimbleness
• Reduce financial waste and redundant staff time. Transfer expenditures to meaningful, lasting, initiatives
• Create a member thinktank, the California Representative Council, to develop long term outlook and strategy, create a new mechanism to directly address member input, be a leadership pipeline

Implement changes that improve AIA California’s ability to act while maintaining member stewardship