AIA vs RAIA

Is it AIA or RAIA? What do we call the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (trading as the Australian Institute of Architects).

Having read this article at architectureau.com I’m a little confused. Actually, the article isn’t the original source of my confusion, but it’s reminded me of the confusion that I’ve experienced over the last few years. It’s old news I suppose, and a discussion that’s been going on for years.

When I became SONA rep for UniSA in 2009, I found myself immersed in the workings of the Institute, as it is sometimes known. As an ignorant student I found myself frequently referring to the Institute by the wrong name, or wrong acronym, or wrong abbreviation, or whatever. I still don’t know whether I’m getting it right. Fortunately I rarely refer to the organisation when speaking to people from outside the profession so I can safely say “The Institute” and people know what I mean. But that’s only when I’m actually talking. I’m still unclear on what I should write in e-mails and so forth.

The response part of the aforementioned article does state the following:

To remove any doubt, the Articles of Association continue to provide that the official post-nominal for Level 1 Corporate Members is “RAIA.”

So I guess that’s what I’m going to use.

But I find it interesting that there has apparently been some market research carried out which determined that members preferred that the “Royal” be dropped, and yet the “R” is retained. While I’ve never heard it stated officially, my understanding is that this is in deference to the American Institute of Architects. This point is of interest to me having formerly been a member of the Australian Dental Association, the ADA. There was never any issue with the fact that there was also an American Dental Association. Similarly, there doesn’t seem to be a problem between the Australian Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Both ADA’s and AMA’s are peak representative bodies in their respective countries. Are the Americans really that precious about the use of AIA, or is it something else?

I suppose it has something to do with the whole issue of post-nominals; there needs to be some distinction here. But that’s my next question, and please continue to excuse my ignorance as I ramble on. Why have organisational membership as a post-nominal anyway? As a dentist I never referred to my membership of any association or even my registration with the Dental Board, nor did anyone else. Perhaps it’s because in Australia we were able to refer to ourselves as “Doctor” so we didn’t need to beef up the letters after our names. (I only had 3, BDS, and never used them anyway.) If you’re able to enlighten me, please leave a comment below.

Given that by law one must be a registered architect to call oneself an architect, surely there’s no great need to put some letters after your name to prove that you are an architect. Either you are or you aren’t. And if you’re not an Institute member, are you less of an architect? Does the absence of post-nominals suggest that you can’t do what you claim to be able to do?

I’m confused.

The reality for me is that I don’t see myself ever using post-nominals relating to organisational membership. Degrees perhaps, and only in very peculiar circumstances, but I can’t see myself putting AIA or RAIA or any other variation after my name. It’s already too bloody long anyway.

But I am curious to know what people think should be put after names. To that end I’m conducting an exhaustive program of research to determine public opinion of the matter. I made a poll. So let me know what you think by selecting from a very carefully determined set of options below.

If you answered “None of the above,” please leave a comment in the replies below explaining what you think is the best option.