Student Representative Council and Planning Student Organization ...

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Student Representative Council Planning Student Organization

TOOLKIT

pso toolkit

Dear PSO Representatives, chair

Ellen Forthofer Ball State University region i

Paige Peltzer Harvard University region ii

Shelley Price Georgia Institute of Technology

On behalf of APA, the Student Representative Council (SRC) Executive Committee would like to welcome you to your position as the Planning Student Organization Representative of your university. We are excited that you have decided to take on a leadership role within your school. As your PSO’s student rep, you automatically become a member of APA’s Student Representatives Council. The SRC is a leadership body that serves to promote student involvement in APA activities; advise the APA Board of Directors on programs and services for our student community; and provide a mechanism for students to influence the development of planning profession.

region iii

Sophee Payne Florida State University region iv

Anna Ma University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The SRC Executive Committee aims to keep you connected with APA and other PSO Representatives in your region and strengthen the network of young planners and seasoned professionals. Of 80 Planning Student Organizations registered in APA, we are excited that you want to continue to develop that network. We will provide you with resources to encourage professional growth within your PSO, strengthen membership and connect you with tools to make your experience with APA as robust as possible.

region v

George Benson University of British Columbia region vi

Lance MacNiven University of California at Los Angeles

As a PSO Representative, you have the opportunity to lead the charge for your PSO. APA National recognizes student groups through the Outstanding PSO Award, so remember to submit your application! Please read through the toolkit and get in touch with your regional rep to find out how you can get engaged and get your voice heard. Thank you for your commitment to the planning profession, community development and creating a better sense of place. We look forward to working with you this next year! Sincerely, The SRC Executive Committee

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

pso toolkit

Schedule of Events Event

Deadlines

URL

PSO Registration

Early registration: May 31 Late registration: September 30 December December Early registration: March Regular registration: April February February

planning.org/ep/students/pso/registration

November window: June thru October May window: December thru April

planning.org/certification/currentexam

Outstanding PSO Awards AICP Student Project Awards National Planning Conference (NPC)Registration NPC–Student Volunteer NPC–PSO Fundraising Competition AICP Exam Registration

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

planning.org/awards/pso planning.org/awards/studentproject planning.org/conference planning.org/conference/students planning.org/conference/students

pso toolkit

SRC Regions and Representatives

Region I Paige Peltzer | Harvard University Associate, Economic and Planning Systems, Inc.

Region II Shelley Price | Georgia Tech Human Services Transportation, Atlanta Regional Commission

Region III Sophee Payne | Florida State University Community Health Planner, Florida Dept. of Health

Region IV Anna Ma | Univ. of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Metropolitan Planner, Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning

Region V George Benson | University of British Columbia Greenest City Scholar, Vancouver Economic Commission

Region VI Lance MacNiven | UCLA Transportation Planner, WSP I Parsons Brinckerhoff

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

pso toolkit

PAB Accredited Planning Programs by Region 1 2 5 3 4 1 1 6

5 2

6 1 2

10

14

7

4

11

9

8

10

9

5

1

7

13 14 15

6 7 8 9 10

9

4 6

6

1

5 7 4 8

13

3 4 5 6 7

3

2

11

12 13 3

12

11 12

10

3

9 2

8

2

14 3

7 10

4

8

5

11

12

Region I

Region II

Region III

Region IV

Region V

Region VI

1 University of Buffalo

1 University of Louisville

1 University of Oklahoma

1 University of Minnesota

1 University of British

1 University of California,

2 Indiana University

2 Georgia Tech

2 University of Texas

2 Iowa State University 3 Missouri State University

of Pennsylvania

3 Clemson University

3 Cornell University

4 Virginia Tech

4 Temple University

5 University of Virginia

5 University of

6 University of North

Pennsylvania

6 Rutgers University 7 Columbia University 8 Hunter College 9 New York University 10 Pratt Institute 11 University of Albany 12 University of Massachusetts at Amherst

13 Tufts University 14 Harvard University

Carolina at Chapel Hill

7 Morgan State University 8 University of Maryland at College Park

9 Virginia Commonwealth University

10 East Carolina University

at Arlington

3 University of Texas at Austin

4 Texas A&M University 5 Texas Southern University

6 University of Memphis 7 Jackson State University 8 University of New Orleans

4 University of Iowa 5 University of Wisconsin Madison

6 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

7 University of Illinois at Chicago

8 University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign

9 Alabama A&M

9 Ball State University

University

10 Michigan State Uni-

10 Florida State University

versity

11 University of Florida

11 University of Cincinnati

12 Florida Atlantic

12 Eastern Michigan

University

15 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

University

2 University of Washington

4 University of California,

5 Eastern Washington

5 University of Southern

University

6 University of Utah 7 Arizona State University 8 University of Arizona 9 University of New Mexico

10 University of Colorado - Denver

11 University of Nebraska - Lincoln

12 Kansas State University 13 University of Kansas

University

14 University of Hawaii

14 Cleveland State

Berkeley

2 San Jose State University 3 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

3 Portland State University 4 University of Oregon

13 The Ohio State

University

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

Columbia

at Manoa

Los Angeles California

6 Cal Poly Pomona 7 University of California, Irvine University of Puerto Rico (not pictured)

pso toolkit

Why register your student organization with APA? The benefits: ■■ Eligibility for the APA Student Representatives Council Outstanding Planning Student Organization (PSO) Awards. Winning PSOs are recognized at the National Planning Conference AND receive cash awards sponsored by APA divisions. ■■ Eligibility for APA’s National Planning Conference PSO Fundraising Competition. Winners receive up to $500 in matching funds from APA. ■■ Regular updates and information about APA activities and opportunities for students. ■■ Participating in regular calls with your region’s national APA Student Representatives Council representative gets your PSO involved with APA and other PSOs in your region. ■■ Registration amplifies your voice. Registered PSOs are part of the APA Student Representatives Council. The SRC Executive Committee communicates your PSO's needs directly to APA’s Board of Directors. Register your PSO with APA every year by May or September.

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

pso toolkit

Content Best Practices

How to be involved with APA

Contact Information

Find tips and ideas to help your PSO manage:

Check out exemplary PSO involvement with APA at several levels:

■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

■■ State Chapters & Sections ■■ Divisions ■■ National

Have a question? Need some help? Look here to find a contact who can assist with any problem you may encounter

Governance Branding Programming/Events Fundraising Outreach/Community Involvement

FAQ This list of frequently asked questions may help you out. If you’re still needing answers, take a look at our new and improved website at www.planning.org or give us a shout! Our contact information can be found in the Contact Information section of this guide. How do I register my PSO? Fill out this form to register your PSO. Registration offers eligibility towards entering the Student Representatives Council Outstanding PSO Awards Program and receiving up to date information about APA. When do I need to register my PSO? Register your PSO by May to take advantage of enhanced communication and benefits the following academic year. September is the final registration deadline.. Do I have to re-register my PSO every year? Yes, you must register your PSO every year to update information about your PSO, such as contact information for your student and faculty representatives, your PSO’s website. The registration form can be found here. Who do I contact with questions about PSO development? PSO representatives are encouraged to reach out to their regional representatives with questions regarding PSO development, best practices and connecting with APA. To find out which regional representative serves your school, click here. Where do I find information about student membership? Students receive free or discounted membership. More information can be found here.

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

pso toolkit

Governance Bylaws Ensure Continuity If your PSO does not have bylaws, consider drafting them. Bylaws normally include: ■■ The purpose of your organization ■■ The roles of leadership and members ■■ Clearly stated processes for... ■■ Nominating leaders ■■ Instituting special committees or task forces ■■ Managing your organization’s budget ■■ Conducting meetings and events ■■ Addressing leadership vacancies ■■ Amending the bylaws

Click here to read the SRC's newest bylaws.

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

pso toolkit

Branding Where to Start?

For the Pros

Show your pride

It's hard to know where to begin in making a name for your student organization.

Even seasoned pros at running student organizations can run out of ideas. In case you get stuck:

Consider placing your PSO and school logos on students' business cards at APA events and conferences.

Here are some ideas:

■■ Create a website/blog that updates your group's events and projects. ■■ This is a great portfolio reference for members! ■■ Don’t just host events, market them. Create cool, eye-catching posters... with your logo on them of course!

■■ Create a logo. ■■ Look out for the official APA-endorsed PSO logo soon! ■■ Be consistent. Use the same colors, fonts, acronyms and slogans in all of your materials. ■■ Sell branded gear. ■■ Get recognized! Make sure to employ your branding in every event your organization is involved in.

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

pso toolkit

Programming Get Brainstorming ■■ Collaborate with student organizations of allied fields (architecture, landscape architecture, geography, urban design, public health/administration) to hold interdisciplinary events ■■ Consider your target audience. Is your event for students, faculty, professionals, the community, all of the above? ■■ Draw them in! Offer breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Provide food! Or partner with a professor who will give extra credit for attendance at your event.

Event Ideas ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

Site visits Lunch or dinner series with professionals Mock interviews Formal & informal networking events Mentor Match programs Lunch ‘n’ Learns Pecha Kucha presentations Conferences and Symposiums Panel discussions

Make it Regular Events can help improve group recognition when they are held regularly. Consider holding certain events annually, monthly, or even weekly.

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

pso toolkit

Fundraising Tips for Raising Funds

APA will Match your Efforts!

Raising funds for your organization helps make events, travel, and scholarships possible. Here are some ideas for a robust fund-raising strategy:

Each year for the National Conference, the SRC conducts a PSO Fundraising Competition, where we will match up to $500 for the five winning PSOs who raise the most money to send students to the conference.

■■ Ask for support or matching funds from your university or department. Be on the lookout for grants, too! ■■ Participate in donated percentage nights at local restaurants, pubs, and bowling alleys. ■■ Sell your merch! T-shirts, bumper stickers, mugs, etc. are hot items with current students AND alumni. Consider branding it with your PSO logo or cast a broader net with branding from your department or college. ■■ Conduct bake sales, car washes, or sell donuts/coffee right outside early morning classes. ■■ Solicit alumni support or sponsorship for your organization and/or your events!

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

Best Practices More information on the PSO Fundraising Competition can be found at: planning.org/conference/students/

pso toolkit

Outreach Build your Network ■■ Appoint a social media chair to keep others up-to-date on your PSO’s activities. ■■ Create a one-stop-shop where people can find out what you’re up to, scan coming events, and learn a little about your organization. This can be a blog, a newslet-ter, a website, in social media. ■■ Regularly update PSO members and all students in your program on your activities and APA events. ■■ Ask for your department’s alumni association contact information and keep alumns updated too. ■■ Gather feedback through surveys and use the results to keep improving.

Engage your Community ■■ Partner with local elementary or middle schools to teach them what planning is all about. ■■ APA Ambassador's web page, including Future City ■■ (futurecity.org) and Box City (cubekc.org/architivities) have great resources. ■■ Collaborate with local neighborhoods to help residents understand the planning process, and even create community action plans for them! ■■ Participate in community events, such as clean-ups, project builds, festivals, etc. Be sure to wear your PSO-branded gear!

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

pso toolkit

Get Involved Local Level

State/Regional Level

National Level

■■ Partner with local firms and city departments to provide internship opportunities for PSO members ■■ Become involved with department alumni and their events. ■■ Partner with local neighborhoods and communities; volunteer in their events!

■■ Participate in APA chapter or section conferences. A line on your resume displaying your presentation skills at a state conference is a strong statement. ■■ Seek representation on your APA chapter’s board. ■■ Connect with other school’s PSOs in your region.

■■ Serve as a national representative on the SRC Executive Committee. ■■ Participate in the National Planning Conference by submitting a session, fundraising to sponsor PSO members to attend, applying for a SRC Outstanding PSO Award, or volunteering at the conference. ■■ Elect a PSO Representative to serve as a liaison between the SRC Executive Committee and your group.

planning.org/ep/students/pso/

pso toolkit

Contact SRC Executive Committee

APA National Contact Information

The SRC Executive Committee is your front door to APA National. Contact us for any help; we’ll make sure to connect you with the right people! planning.org/leadership/committees/src/executive. htm

Monica Groh, Director of Emerging Professionals [email protected]

Ellen Forthofer | Chair Lisandro Orozco | Past Chair

Chapters

Divisions

Visit planning.org/divisions/

Visit planning.org/chapters

Functional Committees Communications George Benson | Region IV Lance MacNiven | Region VI Programming Sophee Payne | Region III Shelley Price | Region III PSO Development Anna Ma | Region IV Paige Peltzer | Region I

planning.org/ep/students/pso/