TOOLKIT

Student Representative CouncilPlanning Student Organization

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SRC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

chair

Ellen ForthoferBall State University

past chair

Lisandro OrozcoCalifornia State Polytechnic

University-Pomona

region iPaige Peltzer

Harvard University

region iiShelley Price

Georgia Institute of Technology

region iiiSophee Payne

Florida State University

region ivAnna Ma

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

region vGeorge Benson

University of British Columbia

region vi

Lance MacNiven University of California

at Los Angeles

Dear PSO Representatives, 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.

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 pro-vide 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.

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

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SRC Regions and Representatives

Region IPaige Peltzer | Harvard UniversityAssociate, Economic and Planning Systems, Inc.

Region IIShelley Price | Georgia TechHuman Services Transportation, Atlanta Regional Commission

Region IIISophee Payne | Florida State UniversityCommunity Health Planner, Florida Dept. of Health

Region IVAnna Ma | Univ. of Illinois at Urbana ChampaignMetropolitan Planner, Rockford Metropolitan Agency for Planning

Region VGeorge Benson | University of British ColumbiaGreenest City Scholar, Vancouver Economic Commission

Region VILance MacNiven | UCLA

Transportation Planner, WSP I Parsons Brinckerhoff

ChairEllen Forthofer | Ball State UniversityCommunications & Outreach Coordinator, IndyGo

Past ChairLisandro Orozco | California Polytechnic University-PomonaPlanner, City of Anaheim

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PAB Accredited Planning Programs by Region

Region I1 University of Buffalo

2 Indiana University of Pennsylvania

3 Cornell University

4 Temple University

5 University of 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

15 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Region II1 University of Louisville

2 Georgia Tech

3 Clemson University

4 Virginia Tech

5 University of Virginia

6 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

7 Morgan State University

8 University of Maryland at College Park

9 Virginia Commonwealth University

10 East Carolina University

Region III1 University of Oklahoma

2 University of Texas 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

9 Alabama A&M University

10 Florida State University

11 University of Florida

12 Florida Atlantic University

University of Puerto Rico (not pictured)

Region IV1 University of Minnesota

2 Iowa State University

3 Missouri State University

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 Ball State University

10 Michigan State Uni-versity

11 University of Cincinnati

12 Eastern Michigan University

13 The Ohio State University

14 Cleveland State University

Region V1 University of British

Columbia

2 University of Washington

3 Portland State University

4 University of Oregon

5 Eastern Washington 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

14 University of Hawaii at Manoa

Region VI1 University of California,

Berkeley

2 San Jose State University

3 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

4 University of California, Los Angeles

5 University of Southern California

6 Cal Poly Pomona

7 University of California, Irvine

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1

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8 9

11

13

1412

103

524

6 7 89 10

11 12

1314 15

1

3 4

2

58

7

6 9

1011

12

3

5

2

4

6

78

9

10

1

3

5

2

4 67

1

2

3

4

5

6

1011

12 13

14

9

7

8

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Event Deadlines URLPSO Registration Early registration: May 31

Late registration: September 30planning.org/ep/students/pso/registration

Outstanding PSO Awards December planning.org/awards/pso

AICP Student Project Awards December planning.org/awards/studentproject

National Planning Conference (NPC)Registration

Early registration: March Regular registration: April

planning.org/conference

NPC–Student Volunteer February planning.org/conference/students

NPC–PSO Fundraising Competition

February planning.org/conference/students

AICP Exam Registration November window: June thru October May window: December thru April

planning.org/certification/currentexam

Schedule of Events

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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.

Why register your student organization with APA?

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Content

Best Practices

Find tips and ideas to help your PSO manage:

■ Governance ■ Branding ■ Programming/Events ■ Fundraising ■ Outreach/Community

Involvement

How to be involved with APA

Check out exemplary PSO involvement with APA at several levels:

■ State Chapters & Sections ■ Divisions ■ National

Contact Information

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

FAQThis 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.

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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.

Governance

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Branding

Where to Start?

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

Here are some ideas:

■ Create a logo. ■ Look out for the official

APA-endorsed PSO logo soon! ■ Be consistent. Use the same col-

ors, fonts, acronyms and slogans in all of your materials.

■ Sell branded gear. ■ Get recognized! Make sure to em-

ploy your branding in every event your organization is involved in.

For the Pros

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

■ 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!

Show your pride

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

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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 stu-dents, 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.

Examples

UCLA conferenceCentral Florida WorkshopSan Jose State

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Fundraising

Tips for Raising Funds

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

■ 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 organiza-tion and/or your events!

APA will Match your Efforts!

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.

Best Practices

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

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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 news-let-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!

Examples

Cornell's Design Connect

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Get Involved

Local Level

■ Partner with local firms and city departments to provide internship opportunities for PSO members

■ Become involved with depart-ment alumni and their events.

■ Partner with local neighborhoods and communities; volunteer in their events!

National Level

■ Serve as a national representative on the SRC Executive Committee.

■ Participate in the National Plan-ning 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.

State/Regional Level

■ Participate in APA chapter or sec-tion conferences. A line on your resume displaying your presenta-tion 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.

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Contact

SRC Executive Committee

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

Ellen Forthofer | ChairLisandro Orozco | Past Chair

Functional CommitteesCommunications George Benson | Region IVLance MacNiven | Region VI

Programming Sophee Payne | Region IIIShelley Price | Region III

PSO Development Anna Ma | Region IVPaige Peltzer | Region I

APA National Contact Information

Monica Groh, Director of Emerging Professionalsmgroh@planning.org

DivisionsVisit planning.org/divisions/

ChaptersVisit planning.org/chapters