ASID Legislative Symposium 2013 Recap

This past February, National and State leaders from ASID, IIDA, and various State Coalitions from all across the country came together for the 2013 ASID National Legislative Symposium in Dallas, Texas. The Symposium helps participants effectively communicate with legislators and enhance their State legislative efforts on behalf of the Interior Design profession. As leaders on National and State efforts, participants of the symposium are honored to represent the voice of the profession to ensure Interior Designers are acknowledged in the building industry for our work in a code based environment.    

IDC-Oregon was able to have two participants in attendance, Interim President, Ingrid Hoffman, and Past President, Alicia Snyder-Carlson.  Among the informative sessions, Ingrid and Alicia, had the opportunity to meet with Texas legislators that support the interior design profession, gained strategies on how to enhance our fundraising efforts, obtained the latest updates from the current NCIDQ President and President-elect, and practiced our advocacy skills in several active learning sessions.

In addition to those valuable lessons, the two biggest takeaways were: 1) to try to build bridges with our opposition and, 2) similar to past years, we all need to build better relationships with our legislators. 

1) Build bridges with our opposition 
In order to be successful at the legislature, we need to find ways to communicate better with opposition groups and demonstrate that design legislation does not pose a threat to professionals within our profession or other building professions. One approach is to “build bridges” on like-topics and provide economic impact data.  For example, there are just over 500 Interior Designers in Oregon and about 300 of those Designers work in Architecture firms.  IDC-Oregon will be looking into bills that AIA Oregon might be supporting to see if we can also support their cause, thereby building a positive relationship on a legislative level and potentially creating a bridge to draw them over to support Interior Design Licensing.

2) Build better relationships with our legislators 
To achieve further success, one way we can support other legislative efforts is by talking to our legislators. IDC-Oregon’s Capitol Day was at the end of February and a huge success.  Practicing professionals, students, and professors were in attendance and had the opportunity to meet with their legislators. While some members had some initial nervousness, many participants expressed their surprise at the enthusiasm of the legislators to meet with us.  Most legislators are just like us, meaning they have day jobs, community responsibilities, and legislative duties but they love hearing what’s important to you.  As Designers and voting constituents, we have a civil duty to communicate to our legislators why interior design legislation is important to us or they simply won’t know.

The 2013 ASID National Legislative Symposium not only provided information imperative to our efforts but helped inspire new ideas and reminded us of the passion we have to see this process all the way through.  A bill typically takes more than three to five legislative sessions to get passed.  IDC-Oregon is preparing for session and we need your voice to help pass the bill!

IDC-Oregon encourages you to be an advocate for the Interior Design profession and active participant in our legislative efforts, for the future of the profession depends on all of us.  When a capitol day or bill hearing is scheduled, we need you, your clients, your friends and your family to be present and involved to be successful.  We can’t do it without you, join us in passing the bill!