Starting a new Freedom by Design Chapter:

1. Creating a clear mission for your Freedom by Design Chapter.

If you have come this far with Freedom by Design it is because you are a person who chooses to be a contribution. This is, simply, what FBD is; A Contribution. We suggest that you spend some time put words to paper that express this clearly and concisely. What follows is a suggestion for how it might read, but please, review it and make it your own.

Mission Statement:
Architects designing and building desperately needed reconstruction to remove existing barriers in the residences of the disabled who are literally prisoners in their own homes.

Freedom by Design Introduction:
Architects are, by their culture, leaders. Leaders of the projects and commissions they undertake, and leaders in the community. "Freedom by design" give AIA member firms an opportunity to both contribute and provide leadership to teams dedicated to producing much needed results in the form of reconstructed solutions to the homes of the disabled. In addition, this project will give Architects the opportunity to be a leader, a master builder, in leading a design build project. Our goal is to radically improve the quality of as many peoples' lives as possible.

The success of the project depends on creating partnerships and enrolling allied efforts and groups with aligned missions; AGC, ACEC, DBIA, members and supporters of the physically challenged community, volunteer organizations, non-profit organizations etc. as well as Colleges and Schools of Architecture and Construction

2. The structure of your new FBD Chapter:

Steering Committee:
The group of hands on individuals with the energy and varied expertise need to create the organization, find the clients, solve problems and move the process ahead. This committee must have a chairperson whose accountability it is to move the Steering Committee ahead. We recommend that the committee consider people who may have expertise in Architecture, Construction, Law, Accounting, printing, media relations, banking, health care, Occupational therapy, and an expertise within the disabled community. Then just add everyone else you know who lives to be a contribution.

Project Manager Liaisons:
Individuals who oversee the project managers and are the link for the PMs to the Steering Committee and the resources the Committee is creating. The PM liaison is a master problem solver and manager. It is their accountability to support the PMs and report back to the Steering committee Chair weekly with PM status.

Project Managers:
These are the individuals who take on the accountability to create and/or manage the design and construction solutions for the individual project, start to finish. The PM enrolls and manages their team, large or small to make the milestones the PM creates for their project.

Project Team:
This is everyone the PM enrolls to work on the project house. They can do everything from fundraise to draw to pound nails, anything.

3. Defining the recipients

Although FBD does not have any strict guidelines about who receives the benefits of your team's efforts, there have been some general guidelines that you may want to take into consideration.

Generally, FBD has been directed towards families that fall around the 50% of median income levels. Our philosophy is to help these people as they have little support elsewhere and they may be one "bad break" away from loosing their home. It is our hope that our efforts will help to stabilize their environment and support their success.

4. Locating your recipients

FBD project houses can be found everywhere. They can be families suggested by local hospitals, local churches, other non-profits groups or city/county housing agencies. It is helpful, particularly as you are getting started, if you can create a relationship with a city or county health agency that can provide "care managers" who are already working with some potential project homes. They can provide you with initial income survey information, as well as interpreters, if necessary.

5. Your first meeting agenda:

Your first meeting is critical! Make sure you have lots of people who will come and think carefully about your agenda. Here's a good sample for your first meeting:

Freedom By Design
December 7th, 2000 Meeting Agenda

I. Introductions

II. The Concept: A quick synopsis for new members
A. The possibility of Contribution

III. Project House Qualification process
A. Subcommittee update
B. Address collection and listing
C. Preliminary Project House Survey form update
D. Survey distribution and review process (25 firms to review 50 houses)
E. Survey collection process (25 firms select 1 house each)

IV. Project Managers
A. PM process info packet
B. Frequently asked questions

V. The Schedule:
A. By next week: 12/15/00
1. Firms/PMs selected
2. All 50 addresses selected
3. Site survey forms created and distribution starts to PMs/Firms

B. By 1/1/01
1. Site surveys completed and 25 final homes selected by PMs

C. By 1/15/01
1. Schematic design finished

D. By 2/1/01
1. Const. Drawings completed

E. By 2/15/01
1. Start const.

VI. Other discussion items:
A. AIA Newsletter : Review with Steering committee
B. Update and add to Communications List (i.e.: like D/B Committee, etc. for master faxing)
C. Update Source list:

VII. Donations (See the donations section 12 in this document)

VIII. Web Site (See the website section 13 in this document)

IX. Media report (See the media section 14 in this document)

X. What did we forget?

XI. When is the next meeting? What will we get done by then?

6. Communicating the opportunity and responsibility of the role of Project Manager:

The Opportunity:
To contribute to others in a focused approach that results in radically impact their lives
To change the listening in your community of you as person who contributes
To change the listening in your community, of Architects as a whole, to one of "leader", contributor and master builder.
To develop your expertise around team leadership, design and construction

The Responsibility:
Project Manager Information packet:

1. Make contact with Freedom by Design and express interest in taking on a project house
2. Get two addresses. We request you visit the site and report back to FBD within seven (7) days.
3. Call the homeowner and set a time to meet and survey the house.
4. Visit the project home with your Project Manager Liaison.
5. Review the extent of the work involved with the project. If it is a good match for you, your team, with respect to expertise as well as resources, (i.e., donations, cash, materials and services)
6. If the project is not selected give the completed forms and any other information (i.e., sketches, measurements, photos) to the PM Liaison for safekeeping and review by the next potential PM
7. If project house is selected, go to next item.
8. Fill out the income survey form
9. Review the process with the homeowner clarifying that their home is being reviewed to see if it qualifies for our services. Visitation and surveying does not guarantee that any work will be provided.
10. Interview the owner to determine their needs
11. Fill out the site assessment form
12. Select the address that best fits your abilities and resources.
13. Report to FBD within 7 days of getting your project house addresses about initial site visit.
14. Begin Schematic design.
15. Present Schematic design to the PM Liaison for review.
16. Meet with homeowner to review SD
17. Make any revisions to drawings
18. Finish construction drawings
19. Apply for building permit
20. Create donations or fundraising to finance project
21. Construct project
22. Fill out lien waivers for any purchased labor or materials

7. Communicating the opportunity and responsibility of the role of Project Manager Liaison

The Opportunity:
To contribute to others in a focused approach that results in radically impact their lives
To change the listening in your community of you as person who contributes
To change the listening in your community, of Architects as a whole, to one of "leader", contributor and master builder.
To develop your expertise around team leadership, design and construction

The Responsibility:
Support the PM with assistance filling our the intake survey/financial questionnaire
Determine the eligibility of the address
After eligibility is established, identify the PM
If the eligible project houses outnumber the PMs, PM liaisons may enroll other PMs to take on an address.
Make sure the PM has the appropriate survey forms for the initial site visit
Counsel PM on initial site visit issues, i.e.: that the investigation is
preliminary and does not necessarily guarantee that the project will be
completed by this PM or even at all.
Confirm the impending site visit with care manager or household
Attend initial site visit if it is the first house for the PM particularly if the PM liaison decides the situation is sensitive.
Phone the household or care manager to follow up questions or concerns they may have.
Do follow up call with PM to answer any questions or concerns from initial
visit.
Follow up with PM weekly to confirm design, permit and construction
deadlines
Maintain contact with case worker and/or family to address questions and
concerns. This may be minimal if the PM is doing a great job of this
already.
Provide support and information to the PM as they progress through the project.
Email to FBD Steering group by 5:00 pm weekly to give a quick update
on each of your PMs.

8. Training Project Managers

The Project managers are the heart and soul of your FBD chapter. It is very important to spend time training and answering all questions your PMs may have.

Sample FBD PM Training session flier:

Freedom by Design

Leadership Community
Contribution
Advocation Education Integration

Even if you've never been to a FBD meeting,…or if you've been to every one!!!
Here's where you learn what we're doing
And how you can be a part of it!!!

Come work with us, learn with us, as we teach and learn to be project leaders, master builders, integrators, the leaders of our
Communities. Take a stand for your legacy as a leader and contribute to your city in a way that's never seemed possible.

Those are big promises. Here's how we'll do it
"Freedom by Design Project Manager Training Session"

A project of Architects designing and building desperately needed reconstruction to remove existing barriers in the homes of the disabled who are literally
Prisoners in their own homes.

Wednesday, February 7th, 2001
7:30 AM to 9:30 AM @ AIA Offices
One Park Central
1515 Arapahoe St. #110
Contact Leslie Acosta for additional information. Lacosta@bygroup.com or 303.861.4600

Sample FBD Training session agenda:

Freedom By Design

PM training session
Wednesday, 7th, 2001 Meeting Agenda
XI. Introductions Brad B. (5 min)
(History and the possibility of contribution, what is your mission?)

XII. Intake surveys Joe E. (10 min)
Cover the issues involved in the determination for eligibility
Financial survey form from the website
Discuss that financial data is not the only criteria considered

XIII. Pm liaisons and you! Leslie A. (10 min)
Go over the PM role description so that the PMs will know how to interact with the PM liaisons

XIV. Initial site visits Joe E. (20 min)
Talk about the best way to handle the first site visit, assessment surveys from the website

XV. Tips, traps and tricks for simple and successful designs Mary M. (20 min)
Go over any good simple ideas you or Joe have for simple and effective designs

XVI. Permitting Mary M. (10 min)
Discuss the process of pulling a permit on a small project, have a local contractor, specifically one who does small projects, hopefully working with people with disabilities speak to your group.

XVII. Getting construction started Mary M (20 min)
How to schedule subs on small projects, staging materials, simple instructions for getting a small project off to a good start. Same contractor as is section VI.

XVIII. Seeking donated materials and Brad B (10 min)
What we have in place and what we are working towards

VIV. Questions and Answers All (15 mins)

9. Creating awareness about your new FBD chapter

The key to getting your FBD chapter really moving quickly is to communicate about it,
A LOT!!! Talk, Talk, Talk, about it! People are starving to find a place to truly contribute for no other reason that it is better to give than get! But, First, they have to hear about it. That's your job!

We suggest you broadcast fax your entire AIA chapter weekly to keep them aware of your next meetings or any successes you are having. Contact your chapter Exec, they will be glad to help you out!

What follows are sample fliers or text for Broadcast faxes to gain awareness within your local AIA Chapter member firms:

Sample 1:
In our city of Denver there are large numbers of citizens who cannot - with any ease - get into their showers, ascend or descend steps, even reach under a cabinet to grab a bowl. There are citizens who, if they hear "Fire!" called from a frantic family member or neighbor down the hall, cannot, without assistance, flee their own homes.
It is these people whom a new organization in Denver, Freedom by Design, proposes to assist. Under the leadership of Buchanan Yonushewski Group and the American Institute of Architects Denver Chapter, architects, builders and others are being asked, as leaders in their communities, to take on the following mission: Designing and building desperately needed reconstructed solutions in the homes of the disabled who are literally prisoners in their homes. The goal on the affective level is to radically impact people's lives; on the nuts and bolts level it is to have needed construction started on 25 homes by February 15, 2001. The architects and contractors are invited to take on the roles of project managers for at least one renovation. Their responsibilities entail, essentially, the entirety of a project from interviewing and surveying potential recipients, to selecting the home, designing solutions, finding product materials, suppliers, and finally to constructing or arranging for construction of the needed renovations. Systems, processes, checklists and mentors are available for groups willing to take on the challenge, opportunity and reward of this project.

Freedom by Design already has representation from a number of existing organizations and architectural firms. Among them are: The American Institute of Architects, Denver and Colorado Chapters, the Design Build and Housing Committees of AIA Denver, Atlantis, Developmental Disabilities Resource Center, Buchanan Yonushewski Group, Scheuber and Darden Architects, Lanz-Boggio Architects Planning Design & Construction, John Buchanan Design Associates, Arlo Braun and Associates, and the University of Colorado and many, many more.

We invite architects, planners, contractors, and others, as vital leaders in our community, to join this effort to make a difference in Denver. As the inventors of the built environment that is Denver, who better to call upon to impact the lives of those among us for whom the simple sense of freedom can be so difficult. We welcome your participation and involvement in Freedom by Design.

For further information on the many ways you can contribute to our effort contact:
Brad Buchanan or Leslie Acosta
Buchanan Yonushewski Group
825 Logan Street
Denver, CO 80203
303-861-4600
Email: Lacosta@BYGroup.com

Sample two:

Freedom by Design

Leadership
Community
Contribution
Advocation
Education
Integration

Something Missing? We got it. Come hear about it!!!

The Design Build Committee and AIA Denver are about to embark
On a community project that will explore all of these things
And provide access and contribution in a way you've never experienced before.
Come work with us, learn with us, as we teach and learn to be project leaders, master builders, integrators, the leaders of our
Communities. Take a stand for your legacy as a leader and contribute to your city in a way that's never seemed possible.

Those are big promises. Here's how we'll do it
"Freedom by Design"

A project of Architects designing and building desperately needed reconstruction to remove existing barriers in the homes of the disabled who are literally prisoners in their own homes.

Thursday, December 14, 2000
7:30 AM @ AIA Offices
One Park Central
1515 Arapahoe St. #110
Contact Leslie Acosta for additional information. Lacosta@bygroup.com or 303.861.4600

10. Creating your six month goal

It is critical that you create an expected specific measurable result. We suggest a six-month schedule to commence 25 project homes. Here's how it would look.

Milestones: First meeting November 1, 2000

1. December 15, 2000: Research, locate and identify 50 project homes that require retrofit.

2. January 15th, 2001: 25 Architects/Project managers willing to commit to a project being under construction by Feb. 15, 2000.

3. December 15th, 2000: Complete project home survey form.

4. February 1, 2001: Each of the 25 firms completes 2 home project site surveys and selects one home for their project.

5. March 1, 2001: Schematic design packages complete

6. April 1, 2001: Permit sets complete

7. May 1, 2001: Commence construction.

11. Using the income survey, assessment survey and service agreement, lien waivers and other FBD documents
FBD documents for use in your state may vary from the download docs on the website at www.freedombydesign.org. Please consult with a local attorney prior to using these documents.

Income survey: This document is to assess the overall financial condition of the recipient. This is important so that we can insure that we are helping those who cannot help themselves. If you find these questions difficult to ask you homeowners contact your PM or a local care manager to have the conversation. In any case, be sure to get the information, it's important!

Assessment survey: This document is very important at the initial site visit. It will give the entire team and local FBD chapter a written report on the overall state of need of your project house. This is particularly important because if you, the PM, do not choose to work on a particular house we will not have to bother the homeowner's more than once to get the survey information. This allows any later PMs to read the report and select the house without having to recreate the information. This helps to mitigate the impact of our intrusions on the homeowner's lives.

Service Agreement: This is a very important document. Please have it reviewed by a local attorney. It is a written agreement between the homeowner and the FBD team. It authorizes the FBD team to perform the work and indemnifies the FBD team from any damages brought about as a result of the project.

12. Finding the right expertise in your city
It is important to connect with a number of people in your home chapter city. Here is a partial list that is important as you get started:

Local health care and housing agencies
They can help you get lists of names of recipients as well as help with the initial site visits information, ie, financial surveys, etc. They can also be very helpful in providing expertise with physical and occupational therapists that work with people with disabilities. They are very helpful with initial site visits, schematic design ideas and working in the recipient's homes.

Local agencies or non-profits that work with people with disabilities
It is vitally important that you network with people who represent the disabled community. They can make you aware of construction details, fixture suppliers, grants and other funding as well as any number of other resources that will indispensable.

Local legal representation
Find a local attorney, preferably one, who will work pro bono, to review all the FBD docs and to maybe create some additional new ones that might make sense to you. FYI, Freedom by Design is trademarked, and the underlying 501c3 non-profit is called "Freedom by Design". There is a board of directors of 11 in Denver, Colorado.

Accountant
Find a local accountant to keep the books. You can contact us in Denver to talk about accepting tax-deductible donations through our non-profit status.

13. Donations
Freedom by design is a non-profit organization. We are driven by donations. We accept cash, materials and labor donations. Your chapter is responsible for creating the resources necessary to complete your projects. The Denver organization is in the process of undertaking a significant fundraising effort, one that will raise $200,000 by January 1, 2002. At that time we hope to be able to fund some of the start up cost of future FBD chapters. At this time, however, that is not possible. All donations to FBD are going to create the national non-profit presence of FBD and foster new chapters.

We suggest that you use the following guidelines to determine where your donated cash should go. First, any donations collected by a specific project team go to their specific project house. If there are donations remaining, or if general donations have been made to the chapter, these donations should be directed to the chapter organization's operations, i.e., legal fees, printing, advertising, etc. to insure the local FBD chapter's fiscal health and longevity.

14. Website
You may want to create your own local website, for example www.FreedombydesignChicago.org or you can simply use our website at www.freedombydesign.org

15. Media
We suggest that you do not release any media information until you have projects underway and we request that you contact us for a media kit prior to any media releases or interviews. It is very important that we have a consistent message with any press efforts. If asked, refer any media to the media info section of the website at www.freedombydesign.org.

Here is a sample of our media release:

Media contact: Paul Suter, Suter Communications, Inc.
303 - 694 - 9232 or sutercomm@aol.com

New Organization, Freedom by Design, Seeks Help for Disabled People

Denver, CO (February __, 2001) -- Right here in Denver there are large numbers of citizens who cannot- with any ease- get into their own showers, ascend or descend steps, even reach under a cabinet to grab a bowl. There are people who, when they hear "Fire!" called from a frantic family member or neighbor, cannot flee their own homes without assistance.

It is these people whom a new organization, Freedom by Design, was formed to help.

Freedom by Design is a new Denver-based community service organization started at the end of last year by the American Institute of Architects and Buchanan Yonushewski Group to enlist the help of Colorado A/E/C firms in renovating the homes of people with disabilities to make them more accessible. You can learn more about Freedom by Design by visiting the website www.FreedombyDesign.org.

Freedom by Design's goal is to enlist the sponsorship of key individuals and firms who will design and build reconstruction solutions to the barriers that make people with disabilities prisoners in their own homes. The new designs will attempt to solve safety, access, mobility and comfort issues for people with a variety of disabilities who cannot afford the renovations themselves.

"There are people in our community who are dealing with basic life safety issues. Freedom by Design is about the business of radically impacting the quality of their lives. That's something we should be doing in the design and construction community," said Brad Buchanan of Buchanan Yonushewski Group.

Architects and contractors are invited to take on the role of project manager on the entire project from interviewing and surveying potential recipients, to selecting the home, designing solutions, finding product materials, suppliers and finally to constructing or arranging for construction of the needed renovations. Systems, processes, checklists and mentors are available for groups willing to take on the challenge, opportunity and reward of this project.

Freedom by Design already has representatives and donations from several industry groups including the AIA Denver and Colorado Chapters, the Design-Build and Housing Committees of AIA Denver, Atlantis, Buchanan Yonushewski Group, Forest City, Fuller Town and Country Lanz-Boggio Architects, John Buchanan Design Associates, Arlo Braun and Associates and the University of Colorado.

The organization invites architects, planners, contractors and other construction industry leaders to join the sponsoring firms listed below in impacting the lives of these Colorado residents. The organization presently has 21 home projects underway. To help, contact AIA Denver at 303-446-2266 or Leslie Acosta at BYG, 303-861-4600. Check out the website at www.FreedombyDesign.org.

Individuals Who Have Committed to Sponsoring the Renovation of at Least One House:

Brad Buchanan Buchanan Yonushewski Group
Chris Meier RNL Design
Ben Wilking Lantz-Boggio Architects
Virginia Grote University of Colorado
John Buchanan John Buchanan Design Associates
Steve Gottesman OZ Architecture
Taylor Aikin Gensler
Fred Alexander Carter & Burgess
Andrew Lemmer