"The average weekly commitment would range from 5-7 hours"

5-7hrs a week and a chance to meet and get to know members of the AIA who could potentially employ you in the future, give you references or point you in the right direction of a full time job.  Doesn't sound too horrible when there are still unpaid interns working 60+ hr weeks at plenty of firms.

Well I think technically the AIA is a nonprofit. It looks like that position is especially oriented towards the advocacy responsibilities of the organization. So I don't really have a problem with it. Other then the fact that the architectural perspective and advocacy will continue to be created and represented by those fortunate enough to be able to "Volunteer" but that's a much bigger problem. 

Come on folks - let's start applying some of those analytical skills for which architects are suppose to be famous.

AIA is, by definition, a volunteer organization. The vast majority of the work performed by the organization is performed by unpaid member-volunteers.

During my 20+ years as a volunteer leader of AIA I wish I had averaged "only" 5-7 hours per week.

Come on, let's not let the righteous indignation peter out here, folks.  Shouldn't someone die for this sin?

If you read the bottom, it's also not directed towards architecture interns but rather people in public policy masters programs... I'd agree, this isn't on the same degree as architecture firms soliciting free profit-driven labor.

So if the american bar association asked an architect to volunteer their time, that would still be ok? 

My problem is that devaluing is such a problem with architects today, and our advocacy group is hosting an ad for a free intern themselves. I know it's not for an architect, that's why it's worse. 

It sounds like a glorified administrative assistance role wrapped with a fancy title 'public policy' -

They should be ashamed of themselves -

Interning at a place where your learning from an expertise that is there [such as a newpaper - or law clerk or senators office] is one thing - not this - real BS

thats pathetic... shame on AIA... I will never want to sign up for AIA ever again!

i wonder if they want registered architects to work for free.......may be I will sign up.....LOL

I could use an internship  to  connect with  other Architects  looking to  hire....but please pay me at your current pay scale for people of my own  grade....which is a bag if Kitty  Litter and a Kitty poop scoop.

Get it right, the AIA is there to support the big old boys, not your broke ass!