Call - To - Action

& Workplace Advocacy

Call-To-Action

Let’s hold firms accountable and increase transparency.

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

  • This Call-To-Action is not a legally binding document, but a guideline for firms/organizations to change their current practices of supporting, recruiting/retaining, and promoting BIPOC individuals. This Call-To-Action will be different for all firms/organizations in the Pacific Northwest based on each one’s unique circumstances. NOMA PDX will provide support to firms in sharing of resources and providing forums for firms to work together to help create a more diverse building industry.

    We recognize that this work will be difficult, as it will require critical conversations from leadership and staff, internal reflection, and a long-term commitment to systemic changes. This uncharted territory calls upon each contributing firm/organization to brave the daily discomfort and uncertainty, to make mistakes along the way, and to challenge the complacency of the status quo. Ultimately - with courage, conviction, and struggle - collectively we can re-imagine and rebuild our profession, one person at a time.

NOMA PDX would like to invite every firm and organization within the AEC industry to pledge to the Call-to-Action.

Call-To-Action Pledge

On October 11, 2023 - in alignment with the NOMA National Conference in Portland - we invite all individuals and firms/organizations who are ready to affect real change to join us for a two-year initiative by adding your name as a signatory to this Call-To-Action Pledge. Sign-up for the CTA pledge will officially close and the work will begin on February 2, 2024. All pledge signatories must be a supporting member of NOMA PDX.

Thank you to all that have signed up to the Call-to-Action. The pledge registration is now closed.

We would like to acknowledge and thank NOMA NW for sharing the original CTA Pledge and resources with us.

Call-To-Action Commitments

Refer to Call-To-Action Benchmarks for more in-depth information on how to fulfil the CTA Commitments

Prerequisites

  • Planting the seeds for social growth

    These are requirements that should be met before proceeding with the pledge commitments. The prerequisites lay down the foundation for what it means to work towards a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Click here for more information.

Foundation Commitments

  • Watering and maintaining the saplings

    Once the prerequisites have been established, firms/organizations should move onto these commitments. This is a starting point for actionable items within your firm/ organization. Click here for more information.

Ongoing Commitments

  • Full and continuous life cycle of growth

    These commitments should be established throughout the duration of the pledge. They can also be used as a foundation for continuing to integrate EDI policies and systems into your practices beyond the 2 years of the pledge. Click here for more information.

  • NOMA PDX will track each firm’s progress as they embark on their internal journey to uphold their Call-to-Action pledge commitments.

    While this pledge is voluntary, firms are expected to proactively submit bi-annual progress reports to NOMA PDX; reporting will be confidential between NOMA PDX and the firm/organization. The firms will be publicly displayed on the NOMA PDX website as a way to celebrate achievements towards creating a more equitable workplace and industry. This public acknowledgement works to encourage firms to collaborate and learn from each other throughout this (re)building process. NOMA PDX will collaborate with firms/organizations to create thoughtful ways of tracking progress. When we do not challenge ourselves by fully committing, we risk the future of our very community and profession.

    We are at a pivotal moment in time where we must work together and take action. Now more than ever, it is imperative that your firm/organization signs this Call-to-Action in a collective effort to combat racial and social injustice, and to foster new avenues for growth and unity, within the AEC profession. We are calling all firms to act as co-conspirators in helping propel the momentum of engaging in the work to achieve a Just, Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive profession.

Closing Call-to-Action

Supplemental Information

CTA Reporting Form

“It always seems impossible until it's done.”

— Nelson Mandela

Call to Action Committee

  • Jordan Land - she / her

    Committee Chair

    BRIC Architecture, Inc. - Designer

  • Kelly Chanopas - she/her

    Committee Chair

    Outreach and Mentorship

    ZGF - Architect

  • Audrey Alverson - she/her

    CTA Communications

    The Bold Work Collaborative - Founder & Principal Consultant

  • Crystal Sanderson - she/her

    Outreach and Mentorship

    Integrus - Associate Principal

  • Karina Ruiz - she/her/ella

    Outreach

    BRIC Architecture, Inc. - Principal

  • Jean von Bargen Root - she/her

    Outreach

    MWA Architects - Principal

  • Amanda Petretti - she/her

    Program Planning

    Studio Petretti Architecture – Founding Principal

  • Jason Fifield - he/him

    Mentorship

    CHA - Architect

  • Pearl Kang

    Pearl Kang - she/her

    Mentorship

    Hennebery Eddy Architects, Inc. - Architect

  • Luigi Ghersi

    Luigi Ghersi - he/him

    Mentorship

    Hennebery Eddy Architects, Inc. - Designer

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