The AFHA team is in full planning mode for the 4th Annual Birdhouse Social and we couldn’t be more excited! As we start to focus on outreach efforts to keep you informed, we decided to bring back the “Why we Love the Birdhouse Social” series started in 2010. To kick off the 2012 series, we asked Michael Goodwin, Birdhouse Social Co-Chair and AFHA Project Manager and Webmaster what he loves about birds, the Birdhouse Social and AFHA.

Why are you excited about the Birdhouse Social this year?

I am extremely excited to see all of the creativity that AFHA supporters put into their designs. We have had designers from all walks of life, from Architects to Brownie troops and each submission is creative and amazing. Each year our designers have been one upping each other and I expect to see it happening again this year.

What is your favorite thing about the Birdhouse Social?

The Energy… It’s all about the energy that can be felt radiating from the event; the liveliness of the designs that are on display, the networking and socialization of the guests showing off their work and making bids on their favorite design, the physical success that comes out of a job well done and another successful year.

What do you love about birds?

Birdsong: It is one of those things that bring me a sense of calm and inner peace. It takes me back to the times when I am in the wilderness hiking or canoeing; waking up refreshed hearing the morning songs of the birds signaling the beginning of another day of adventure.

Why did you get involved with AFHA?

Volunteering is in my blood. I participated in community service as a child through the Boy Scouts. While in college, I was a member of Circle K, the largest international collegiate community service organization around. It only made sense that after quite a bit of “pestering” from our illustrious chairman, Rick Glassman, and timing falling into place properly that I would get involved with this wonderful Not for Profit Design Firm, Architecture for Humanity. AFHA allows me to not only give back to the community in the way of design but also to give back to my profession by assisting in mentoring the next generations of design professionals so that they can learn the ropes.

Thanks Michael!

Get to know more about Michael and his business gig mgoodwinDESIGN LLC at http://www.mgoodwindesign.com/.

Posted by: Chandra, Southface Events Manager by day, AFHA Communications Chair and TEDxPeachtree Events Manager by night.

THANK YOU to everyone for coming out to the 3rd annual Birdhouse Social! It was a fantastic day filled with great people and beautiful birdhouses.  We are humbled by the show of support from our sponsors, birdhouse builders and awesome volunteers.  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Learn more about The Oasis Project: http://atlanta.architectureforhumanity.org/projects/oasisatl

We asked our supporters what they love most about birds and the Birdhouse Social.  Last week, we heard from Amy Blanco, AFHA Secretary and Birdhouse Social Co-Chair.  In part two of this series, we hear from Andrew Telker, LEED AP, of Telker Design.  He is one of our Atlanta chapter founders and a current Board member.  Here’s what Andrew had to say.

What do you love about birds?

The Sounds of Enthusiasm: Well, I used to do construction, and I would wake up early in the morning, and as the sun rose, one bird would chirp and make the announcement that morning had arrived, and then a chorus of chirps would erupt to welcome the day.  I loved that early enthusiasm, and delightful sounds.  On most days, I would sit outside to start my day, and try to match Birds calls with my whistle.  It just seemed like the birds had so much to say!

Why are you excited about the Birdhouse Social this year?

Its the BIGGEST event that AFHA hosts all year, and the coolest gathering of designers, activists, and professionals in Atlanta.  Watching the AFHA organization grow each year is very exciting to me, and events like Birdhouse Social allow us to reach out and get the community involved.  Plus, BirdHouse Social is one heck of a party too; dancers, the flutist and DJ Little Jen.

What is your favorite thing about the Birdhouse Social?

Creativity, I love seeing creative solutions to ideas!  Each designer / birdhouse builder has a different way of solving the challenge, and I find it inspiring to see multiple concepts and unique birdhouse entries.   It reminds me of being in Architecture School and seeing a hundred different concepts for each design challenge.  I am always awed by the things people think of!

Why do you support AFHA?

Because we are the NOW generation!  It is our time to do what we believe and work toward the goals we want to see accomplished.  Seeing the positive change take place in the community through continued volunteer effort is extremely rewarding, and AFHA embraces community activism and promotes positive social change with fundraising for volunteer projects for the local & global community.

I am excited about the projects we have completed as an organization, and even more excited about the things we are yet to accomplish.   Join in the AFHA fun, it is volunteers like yourself, that make positive change a reality.

“I look forward to seeing everyone at the #BirdhouseSocial!”

Thanks Andrew!

What’s Andrew up to when he isn’t busy burning the midnight oil at Telker Design visual studio in Roswell? Volunteering of course! He’s our biggest fan, a build volunteer for MADHousers and protects our waters as a Water Quality Chemical Monitor for the Adopt-a-stream program.  If you can catch him, shake his hand and chat for a while.  You’ll be glad you did.

Make sure you join us this Saturday, August 20th, 4 to 8 pm in the Studioplex Courtyard.  Proceeds from the silent auction of all birdhouses will support The Oasis Project.  Our continued effort to build and install shelter where it is needed most along the MARTA bus route.

Our sponsorship team has been hard at work! Big THANK YOU to all of our sponsors including Thinking Man Tavern for the wine donation! Can’t wait to see it all come together next week!

We asked our supporters what they love most about birds and the Birdhouse Social.  Check out what Amy Blanco, AFHA Secretary and Birdhouse Social Co-Chair had to say.

What do you love about birds?

I love watching birds in the backyard- either eating from feeders, nesting, or in the bird bath. Its fun to identify the different types and its a close to home nature learning experience for the kids.

Why are you excited about the Birdhouse Social this year?

I’m excited to see all of our supporters! Its exciting to point to a specific project and say “YOU are making this happen.”  I’m also excited about the entertainment this year! Our dancers, the flutist and DJ Little Jen are going to make for an amazing night!

What is your favorite thing about the Birdhouse Social?

I love seeing all the fabulous entries!

Why do you support AFHA?

I support AFHA because I understand what it takes to take a construction project from an idea into a reality. Its not just the nuts, bolts, and materials  – its the whole process to comply with building standards, cooperation between players, zoning and planning.  I love that worthy projects get the professional services they deserve when they would not otherwise be able to afford it!

Thanks Amy!

Make sure you check out The Mostess Hostess, http://www.themostesshostess.com/! Amy’s locally-sourced, unique gifts enterprise.

Check back soon for another round of “Why do you Love the Birdhouse Social?”

You know what that means…It’s Birdhouse Social time! AFHA is thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual Birdhouse Social, Saturday, August 20th 2011, 4 to 8 pm.  We spent a lot of time chatting up this event to MA2011 attendees this past week and now the word is out! Our signature fundraising event will showcase creative birdhouse, and bat box, designs imagined by some of Atlanta’s most creative personalities.  The outdoor courtyard at Studioplex once again plays host to this magical evening combining music, interpretive dance and fanciful birdhouse displays. 

Want to get involved? Design a Birdhouse! We know that the Birdhouse Social is only as fabulous as the amazing people that submit their designs.  So join in the fun by helping us spread the word.  The more birdhouses, the more impact we can make in our community with our local humanitarian design efforts.  All design submissions will be available to the public in the silent auction benefitting AFHA.  Design specifications (suggestions) can be found in the “Call for Entries.” 

We will also need an army of volunteers for this event! If you’re interested, please send an email to volunteers@afhatlanta.org.

Photos from last year’s event are viewable in our Flickr gallery and we also have a great video of the 2010 event courtesy of Jeff Nix.  The Birdhouse Social page is also live for 2011.  Check it out as we will update all news about the event there.

When friends ask me about the Birdhouse Social on Saturday and I say, “It was a beautiful day, ” they say, “But didn’t it rain?”  Yes, it did, here and there, but in spite of it all, the 2nd annual Birdhouse Social was a smashing success! Not because we raised more money than last year and not because we had more birdhouses than last year.  It was the love and energy you felt while being amongst good people who were proud of  playing their part for a good cause.  We had interpretive bird dances, a special bird house cake, a DJ, a classical violinist, a specialty cocktail and a very special group of amazing volunteers, birdhouse designers and community supporters.  Not to mention a rousing, goosebump-producing thank you/call to action by “Able” Mable Thomas on behalf of The Greater Vine City Opportunities Program, the event beneficiary. 

It rained? Really? I didn’t notice.

Thanks for the video Jeff! Birdhouse Social 2010

We Couldn’t Have Done it Without You!

Studioplex – Event Venue

Grafite Design - Event Environment & Birdhouse Installation

Onyx Consulting, Katie Hall Mosaics, MarieMarie Salon, Cuttlefish Studio – Event Sponsors

Taria Camerino – Food & Specialty Cocktail

Thinking Man’s Tavern - Wine

Mike Brooks – Classical Violinist

Terry Holloway – DJ

Sorcha Murnane – Photography

Amanda Schneider - Choreographer

Jordam Williamson – Dancer/ Volunteer Make-up

Michael Phillips – Graphics

Birdhouse Designers & Event Volunteers

In updated news:

We are full steam ahead for the 2010 Birdhouse Social.  You have until July 18th to forward your “intent to design” to curator@afhatlanta.org.  Need a way to pass this information to your friends? Well, have them text “AFHA” to 50500 to receive Birdhouse Info.  As always, standard text messaging rates apply.

Soon, you’ll be able to “Like” our newsletter just like you do on Facebook and other sites.  MailChimp, the service that we use to send our newsletter will provide us with a way to place the “button” in our newsletter.  It’s exciting stuff according to our Technical Director, so look for it in the AFHA August newsletter release.

The Oasis project is still getting buzz after the design competition phase, so keep an eye on our project page for updates.  I can’t wait until we get all the submissions posted on the Open Architecture Network.  They were truly inspiring  and a little inspiration is just what the doctor ordered for MARTA.