The Interior Design Collaborative – Oregon participates in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Oregon Chapter Fall Conference

“Re-Design Your Path to Success" was the motto for the ASID Oregon Fall Conference held October 7-8, 2011 at a Mountain Resort in Welches. The Conference allowed ASID members to connect with IDC-Oregon, who had a table at the event.


Conference attendees were able to ask IDC-Oregon questions about legislation and how they could get involved. IDC-Oregon President Alicia Snyder-Carlson explains how licensing will benefit commercial interior design businesses, “Licensing is a tool for every designer's success. A license will expand business opportunities for designers in the commercial design field." ASID members responded and showed their support in IDC-Oregon’s efforts.

ASID member, Heather Woods, supports legislation; “Alicia and Lynne provided a concise and informative introduction and update on the activities of IDC-Oregon at the 2011 ASID Fall Conference. I support the need for legislation in the interior design industry to qualify designers who affect the health, safety and welfare of the public.”

Timberline lodge was the perfect setting for the conference which allowed designers, vendors and other members in the industry to re-connect. IDC-Oregon Vice President, Lynne Dewhurst, confirmed the success of the event: “The ASID conference was a fantastic experience. The speakers were informative and the topics were educational. We had several people express interest in IDC-Oregon and we're looking forward to working more with ASID in the future.”

IDC-Oregon teams up with Local Interior Design Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Interior Design Collaborative-Oregon is reaching out to interior design students throughout Oregon about the proposed Commercial Interior Design licensing bill. IDC-Oregon had the opportunity to present to Michele Kremers’ Intro to Interior Design class at Marylhurst University on October 3rd, 2011.


Marylhurst University has a Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) accredited program for Interior Design and supports IDC-Oregon’s effort in pursuing legislation. "Licensing for commercial interior designers is a natural extension of professional design education. Graduates of our program are prepared to creatively solve complex spatial problems while ensuring the safety and welfare of the public," says Nancy Hiss, Interior Design Program Director at Marylhurst.

The presentation informed students of the requirements in the proposed bill and they responded openly to the need for legislation for practicing Commercial Interior Designers. The students also voiced their interest in writing to their legislators to move forward with the Commercial Interior Design Practice Act. Instructor Michele Kremers, who is equally supportive, comments that "The students feel that licensing will validate their hard work and education by creating an industry standard of knowledgeable professionals that will be able to create and specify safe, healthy environments."
IDC-Oregon looks forward to continued collaboration with the Marylhurst Interior Design department and students.

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Call for Letters: Sustainability Month extended

The public relations committee has extended Sustainability Month into October.  We need 13 more letters to send to news publications.  Please submit letters to publicrelations@idc-oregon.org.

These letters are important because legislators read letters to the editor.  These do make a difference.  Make your voice heard.

Need ideas?  Here is an example:
Date


Dear Editor,

In Oregon, green building is standard practice. As a commercial interior designer, it is my job to ensure my clients have healthy, non-toxic, and sustainable environments. I layout plans to maximize daylight, views and fresh air. I support local economies by specifying regional materials. I also specify materials that are high quality, natural, durable, and free of toxins.
I urge Senator XXXX and Representative XXXX to support licensing for commercial interior designers in Oregon because qualified interior designers are committed to and trained in sustainable, healthy, and energy-efficient practices that reduce waste and toxins. Licensing will define this responsibility within the commercial interior design field.
Oregonians deserve healthy and sustainable buildings.

Sincerely,

Your name
City, State, Zip

The Interior Design Collaborative – Oregon will volunteer at the Portland Marathon

10 IDC-Oregon members will volunteer this Sunday at the 40th Portland Marathon. Volunteers will be at Water Aid Station #16 at NW 9th and NW Northrup near the 25 mile marker. The shift is 4 hours between 10:30 and 2:30pm. This is the second year IDC-Oregon has participated and has found the relationship to be a good fit.


“We support activities that benefit Oregonians’ health and wellness,” says President Alicia Snyder-Carlson, “We’re working to license Commercial Interior Designers in order to support health and welfare of Oregonians in the built environment. The money raised from the marathon’s direct giving program goes to fund our educational seminars. Those seminars focus on how interior design decisions affect occupant health and welfare.” Last week’s seminar covered evidence based design as it relates to specifying appropriate flooring for areas like neonatal intensive care units and other hospital inpatient areas.

Educational outreach is not the only benefit. Snyder-Carlson adds, “We’re paired with other organizations at the aid station. That is a great opportunity to meet other groups and learn about their organization’s mission and communicate our goals.” For example, IDC-Oregon has been meeting with Interior Design departments at Oregon Universities. Licensing Commercial Interior Designers will support the graduates’ careers. Additional outreach efforts include partnering with consumer advocacy organizations dedicated to safer and healthier environments.

For more information please contact Sermin Yesilada, Public Relations Chair, or visit us at the aid station on Sunday.

September PR Campaign

Letter To Editors 11 more letters NEEDED


Topic: Sustainable Design


What is the most sustainable way to build? Adapt existing buildings. From reuse and recycling to eliminating indoor toxins, you make decisions every day to ensure Oregonians have access to the safest and healthiest sustainable buildings. We want to hear about your latest sustainable design project.

• Request template letters and/or submit letters, 200 words or less, to publicrelations@idc-oregon.org.

• We will be coordinating these and tell you which newspaper editors to send them to.

August PR campaign

Have you been left out of an RFP? Can’t get drawings permitted? Have to duplicate your work by hiring an architect to stamp your drawings?


IDC-Oregon wants to hear your story.

Submit letters to publicrelations@idc-oregon.org

200 words or less. We will be coordinating these and tell you which newspaper editors to send them

Florida Senate Votes to Protect Registered Interior Designers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2011

CONTACT:

Allison Levy, JD
Senior Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs

International Interior Design Association
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 567, Chicago, IL 60654 USA

312-467-1950 or alevy@iida.org

Florida Senate Votes to Protect Registered Interior Designers
House Bill 5005 Defeated in Senate

CHICAGO, IL -- On Friday, May 6 the Florida Senate defeated H.B. 5005, the “Deregulating of Professions and Occupations” bill, by a vote of 32-6.

“Licensing in Florida has created a robust design industry that employs thousands of Floridians and contributes significantly to the economy,” said Allison Levy, IIDA Senior Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs. “This vote by the Florida Senate ensures interior designers’ continued opportunity to contribute to their fullest capabilities.”

The Senate’s decision to vote down H.B. 5005 will allow Florida’s more than 2,800 registered interior designers to continue in their current practice. We thank our many members, whose tremendous grassroots efforts contributed to this decision.

IIDA and ASID strongly support voluntarily licensing that provides expanded practice opportunities for interior designers, allowing qualified designers to work independently in code-based built environments.



For more information, please contact International Interior Design Association info@iida.org


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