The


ABC's of


The


FAA...


a primer for politicians


 Someone once observed that the
ideal committee would be composed
of three people-two to disagree and
one to make the decisions. And it may
have been a committeeman on the
losing side of a vote who voiced an-
other observation of the action-by-
committee system to the effect that,
"With enough power delegated to a
three-man committee, one man could
rule the world!"
 Even the nameless genius who
devised the first committee would
undoubtedly regard such a conclu-
sion with horror. Legislators, particul-
larly, know the power than can re-
side in a small, but authorative
group. But they also know the value
of the committee system; and they
have developed this system into an
organization of such effectiveness that
it vastly simplifies legislative routine
and virtually controls the mechanics
of law-making operations.
 The commtitee idea, however, has
spread far beyond legislative cham-
bers and hearing rooms. It has been
expanded, refined, adjusted, variously
applied. It has been consumed by
the fire of conflict, controversy and
conversation; and out of this fire has
risen a phoenix of a new type-a kind
of super-committee called an Asso-
ciation. Like the committee idea, the
Association concept has spread to
almost every category of human ac-
tivity. To the extent that an Associa-
tion acts for its membership under
certain delegated and combined au-
thorities and within certain special
fields of activity and interest, it can
claim kinship to a committee. But
legislators, at least, properly recognize
a great difference between the two.
 In spite of this recognition, many
of the values inherently a part of
Association organization, activity and
representation are not being utilized
by legislators to the fullest extent
22


possible-or even desirable. Associa-
tions today are more than fact-finding
bodies, more than sources of special
information relative to the technical
activities of trade or professional
groups. And they are certainly more
than lobbying fronts for pressure
groups that some legislators unfortu-
nately still regard them to be. Associa-
tions in general and Professional
Associations in particular-are formed
and continue to exist predominantly
on the basis of an ethical system that
is closely geared to a sincere, collec-
tive urge toward public service and
community improvement.
 Basically, this is the same urge
that motivates legislators-the petti-
ness of "practical politics" notwith-
standing. Thus, the Association and
the legislator can, and should, be-
come partners under the skin. Each
has the same general objectives; and


each has experienced the generally
similar difficulties of attaining these
objectives. The teamwork of legis-
lators and Associations who have
realized this has accomplished great
things in the past-and will do the
same in the future. More than ever
now this "partnership" opportunity
exists in Florida. Our jet-speed growth
and the growing need for physical
developments to match it have cre-
ated problems of extraordinary size
and complexity.
 How can this partnership be
formed? How can it work to the
benefit of the people and communi-
ties of our State? And what results
can we reasonably expect from this
joint interest and activity? Answers
can most easily be framed by using
an active Association the Florida
Association of Architects-as an ex-
ample.
 THE FLORIDA ARCHITECT


The Florida Association of Architects is not the only
professional association in our State. But it is one of
the very oldest and most active. It is not the largest in
our State; but through its various committees and the
very wide range of its professional interests and con-
tacts, it is a real and vital force in the progressive im-
provement of Florida communities . Here, in brief
form, is a sketch of what the FAA is, how it works and
what it does. Like Legislators, the FAA's concern is
largely with affairs at the State level. Many problems
with which legislators must deal involve the safety and
welfare of the public; and many of these also involve
some facet of land improvement and building construc-
tion . To aid in solving these problems in the best
interests of all concerned, the FAA invites full use of
its knowledge, experience and facilities . .