Benefits

Today’s design firms need an educated and well-trained Administrative staff. That’s where SDA can play a vital role in a firm’s practice. Since 1959, SDA has led the way in providing continuing education to administrators in the business of design. When administrators join the SDA, both the firm and the individual reap the rewards.

Networking
Networking is available through conventions and conferences, seminars and workshops, chapter meetings, newsletters, awards programs, lunchtime roundtables and a job bank. Networking affords our members the support of shared experiences in dealing with complex administrative issues. These experiences cover broad range of issues such as Human Resources, Accounting and Finance, Marketing and Public Relations, Facilities Management, Security, Information Technology and Legal Issues.

Continuing Education
Educational programs, tours and seminars sponsored by the chapter provide a continuing source of state-of-the-art operational and management techniques for design firms. SDA members benefit from the support of a national organization in the development of individual career goals. Professional Emphasis Groups include Finance, Human Resources, Marketing and Public Relations, Project Management and Office Administration.

SDA CDFA Certification Program
The SDA offers a credential that recognizes your achieved administrative and management expertise, the Certified Design Firm Administrator (CDFA) designation. The CDFA credential is a voluntary certification designed to elevate the professional standards in design firm management and administration and contribute to the firm’s organizational growth and maturity through best practices in firm management. The credential promoted by the SDA’s Certification Program distinguishes and supports the roles performed by the spectrum of administrators and managers in the A/E/C firm. Furthermore, enhanced marketability and increased earning potential are just two of the many benefits CDFA certification provides.

National Discussion Forums and Local List Serv
The SDA discussion forums found at http://www.sdamin.org can used to communicate and network with SDA members from around the United States and Canada. Members can exchange information regarding SDA and administrative and design-related topics. Each member can set forum preferences to receive email notification when new posts occur in a forum or discussion thread of interest to that member. Forum posts are searchable so particular discussion threads can be found. The forums provide a clearing house for information and experience, and link administrators with specific problems to those administrators in other firms who have already solved a similar problem.  Additionally the New York Chapter provides a local chapter only email-based discussion list serv for local event updates, job bank postings and member queries.

Job Bank
National and local Job Banks provide a source of qualified administrative support staff, connecting firms with administrative and technical openings with professionals seeking positions.

Conferences
SDA holds an annual EDSymposium conference in the Spring. The exact dates and locations within the United States change each year. Regional conferences are also held each year usually in late summer or early fall. These conferences give SDA members an opportunity to enhance leadership skills and professional development, as well as network with other members.

Active National and Local Web Sites
www.sdadmin.org offers information on national events, local chapters, white papers, Behind the Design, registration for conferences and conventions, and the ability to purchase items from the national Resource Center. The national SDA website also provides links to local chapter websites, allowing members to view schedules of programs available in areas where they may be traveling. www.sdanyc.org offers information on New York Chapter events, membership forms and applications, contact information, Canstruction® and FAQs.

Canstruction®

Canstruction® is the SDA’s international community service project that promotes the design community and raises food for hunger relief efforts. Design professionals and students they mentor compete to design and build giant structures made entirely of cans of food.  New York City is joined by over 140 cities who hold Canstruction® competitions in the United States and abroad.  At the close of each competition, the food is donated to a local food bank.  Highlighting the creativity and compassion of A/E/C firms, these astounding structures are helping to change the world by raising public awareness and, most importantly, by collecting millions of pounds of food for local food banks.