Architect etiquette

[rgkeller]

I would not let the "rules" of a trade union of which you are not a member dictate any course of action which other than what the membership desires.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Tom,

I agree with Ian. And, I think most of us get to clubs after someone else has done work the are unhappy with......leading me to think that the passion members have for the course leads to the unhappiness as much as the work.  Generally, many club members tend to dislike new things. Or, that some clubs perpetually make the same mistakes - either in underbugeting, too large a committee, etc.

The system of ethics isn't flawed.  As you suggest, if the members had enough saavy to realize a gca couldn't produce their desired results, they could dismiss them at any time, and that does happen.  They could realize after the master plan is complete but before construction and save those millions.

RG,

Tom is saying that he abides by the Golden Rule - treat others as you would want to be treated.  Most of us do.  It's a shame that somewhere in time someone felt the need to have to write those things down.

And, ASGCA is NOT a trade union, if there is even such a thing.  There are unions and trade associations, and professional societies.  ASGCA is the latter.

[Bill Brightly]

Skully,

Master Plans are often put in the by laws, but never simply a particular gca, although if he prepared your master plan, that would be implied.

Your last post implies that you do have a current master plan and its committed to the by laws, which may raise some internal procedural issues, if not ethical ones regarding your gca. If you decide to restore, whereas your old MP proposes total renovation, then you might very well have to vote the old plan out, and a new plan in, etc.

Thanks Jeff, while I know that we would be going to the board and full membership for approval of the plan, you are right, we probably DO need to change the by-laws. Good point!

Tom D., thanks for your thoughtful response. I wish archirects had code that said something like: any time you are planning to undergo a major restoration (or renovation) our association recommends that the club get three opinions. That would take the "slight" out of what I feel is simply performing due diligence for our membership and our course. But I wonder how many architects would risk established client relationships and volunteer this approach?