The Year in Review
It is hard to believe that 2011 is coming to a close. Before we launch into 2012, let’s reflect on the past year’s accomplishments of the Northern Section. First, I am proud to acknowledge our dedicated team of 37 Board Directors who have committed hundreds of hours providing members with a full plate of activities and events during the past 12 months. All of their time was volunteered while they juggled demanding work schedules and competing personal priorities. For some directors, it included becoming a new parent for the first time!
Our core goal is providing cost effective services and events to maximize the benefits that members receive from the portion of their APA dues that are allocated to Northern Section. So where do your dues go? Highlights include the following:
Events: Countless Board hours were spent organizing, sponsoring, and publicizing approximately 85 networking and educational events in 2011. Each month has offered social mixers and professional development opportunities organized by and for APA Northern members. Regional Advisory Council (RAC) Chairs, one for each of the Section’s seven sub-regions, ensure that convenient events are planned in each area. We also actively partnered with related organizations such as AEP and SPUR to co-sponsor activities of interest or value to members. From your feedback we know that low-cost and easily accessible AICP CM credits are highly desired. In the past year, the Northern Section sponsored nearly 100 units of local AICP CM credits for APA members, including courses for ethics and law credits.
Other activities have benefited students and young professionals such as those organized by an active Young Planners Group (YPG). Natalie DeLeon and Lindsey Virdeh have capably served as the YPG Co-chairs. Lindsey is stepping down. We wish her the very best as we offer a warm welcome to Avalon Schulz who has just been appointed the new YPG Co-chair.
A recent successful Northern Section event was The Current State of Planning: Navigating New Roles and Careers in Planning. The all-day symposium held on November 5 explored the future of the planning profession and job market. Approximately 100 students and recent graduates attended with participation from experienced professionals in diverse planning fields. Many accolades go to YPG and the SJSU Urban Planning Coalition, particularly Johnasies McGraw, all of whom were instrumental in organizing the event.
Many of you attended our annual Holiday Party at the Blu Restaurant in San Francisco on December 9. It is an end-of-the-year tradition partly funded by membership dues. Many thanks to Darcy Kremin, AICP, and others who organized this year’s successful event.
Awards: An important annual activity recognizes exemplary planning projects and planners in the Northern Section. This year’s Awards Program was once again a major success. From a very strong group of nominations, 15 projects and plans were honored with Northern Section Awards at our Awards Banquet in May, and seven went on to receive an Award of Excellence or Award of Merit at this year’s Chapter conference in Santa Barbara. Nominations are now open for the 2012 Awards, so start thinking about submitting a proposal. (See http://goo.gl/Wpex8for details and submittal forms.)
On a related note, the Northern Section was proud to contribute $4,500 for California Planning Foundation scholarships to Northern Section planning students. Awardees were announced at the Awards Banquet and Chapter conference.
Diversity Program:Supporting diversity in the profession continues to be an important goal of the Northern Section. Diversity Co-directors Miroo Desai, AICP, and Kay Cheng reached out to high schools to introduce students to the planning profession. They also organized social mixers for planners of color. The Northern Section is also involved in promoting diversity initiatives at the Chapter level. A highlight was the Diversity Summit at the chapter’s annual conference.
Newsletter: If you are reading this now, you have noticed the high quality of our newsletter which is published 10 times a year. We strive to provide timely, relevant, and topical information for Northern Section planners. We continually strive to improve the content, appearance, and delivery of the newsletter, which has now grown to more than 20 pages. The newsletter is primarily a volunteer effort overseen by a hardworking three-member editorial team led by Naphtali Knox, FAICP, with numerous content contributors. Articles from members are always welcome.
eNews:Complementing our newsletter, the eNews is sent twice a month to remind members of upcoming events and activities. As an added service, RAC Chairs have begun sending focused emails to members in each RAC subregion, and we are actively posting announcements on our LinkedIn and Facebook pages. Brenna Moorhead, AICP, Membership Director, who has produced the eNews for the past two years is turning over the reins to Rodrigo Orduña, AICP. We thank Brenna for her exceptional service and welcome Rodrigo as the new Membership Director.
The above is a brief snapshot of 2011 Board activities and priorities. We look forward to planning for 2012 at our annual retreat in January. Participation in Board activities, and ideas and suggestions for improving services to members are most welcomed. Please feel free to contact me at hansonapa@gmail.com.
