Division Committees

Communications Committee

Develop content and manage communications platforms

The Communications Committee is led by two elected Co-Chairs. Committee members support the Division's numerous outreach and communications content and platforms, including our website, newsletter, virtual meeting platform, email, and social media. Sub-committees or task leads may be established for specific modes of communication.

Busiest period: Consistent activity, with peaks around big events (i.e., NPC).

Example volunteer tasks: 

• Quarterly newsletter editor or contributor: Help curate, design, and publish the Division's quarterly e-newsletter shared with over 4,000 subscribers using MailChimp.
• Social media editor or contributor: Help create and publish Division communications and announcements on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Email editor: Help manage and update the Division's roster and email distribution list, create and send e-blasts and announcements to over 4,000 subscribers using MailChimp.
• Website editor: Maintain and update the Division's website (using Wagtail) once a month.

Resources & Programs Committee

Curate, plan, and promote events and programs

The Resources & Programs Committee is led by two elected Co-Chairs. At their direction, committee members support the curation, planning, promotion, and facilitation of the Division's many events and programs. Other sub-committees or task leads may be established for specific programs or tasks (i.e., Book Club, Coffee & Conversations).

Busiest period: Consistent with peaks of higher activity around large events (i.e., NPC, Women's History Month)

Example volunteer tasks: 

• Book Club discussion leaders: Facilitate and lead book discussions; communicate with members.
• Coffee & Conversations facilitator: Help recruit and schedule monthly guest presentations.
• Mentorship Program: Plan, implement, and manage a Division mentorship program.
• CM Credit Manager: manage credit provider status, seek, solicit, schedule, and facilitate CM-eligible educational offerings.
• Women's History Month Manager: Curate and facilitate annual Women's History Month programming.

“Girls Who Plan” Career Exploration & Youth Engagement Subcommittee

Introduce girls in grades K-12 to planning

“Girls Who Plan” is the Division’s long running partnership with non-profit organization YEP! Youth Engagement Planning (YEP!) introducing urban planning to girls in grades K-12, expanding and strengthening the planning career pipeline, and amplifying the unique perspectives of girls and women in community decision-making. Our new “Girls Who Plan” Career Exploration & Youth Engagement standing Subcommittee is led by an appointed Chair. At the direction of the subcommittee chair, subcommittee members support “Girls Who Plan” programs, events, resources, and volunteer opportunities.

Members & Partners Committee

Supports member recruitment, retention, and satisfaction

The Members & Partners Committee is led by an elected Chair. At the direction of the chair, committee members support efforts to recruit new members, retain existing members, and ensure member satisfaction. This committee also helps identify and facilitate partnerships with APA Divisions and Chapters, and other allied groups and organizations. Sub-committees or task leads may be established for specific programs or tasks (i.e., biannual member survey).

Busiest period: Consistent all year.

Example volunteer tasks: 

• Plan, administer, and promote biennial member survey.
• Plan and execute effective member recruitment strategies.
• Personally welcome new members.
• Reach out to members to get feedback.
• Respond to member issues, requests, etc.
• Track and report member statistics and trends.
• Gauge perceived "value" of the Division and provide guidance for improvements to programs and resources.
• Support member-focused programs.

Students & Emerging Professionals Subcommittee

Promote and encourage student and emerging professional involvement and engagement

Our new Students & Emerging Professionals Subcommittee is led by an appointed Chair. At the direction of the subcommittee chair, members promote and encourage student and emerging professional involvement and engagement in the Division and propose, manage, facilitate, and promote the Division’s student and emerging professional member programming and resources.

FAICP Nominating Committee (Biennial)

Every two years, the Division Vice Chair convenes and chairs the FAICP Nominating Committee to facilitate WPD's award-winning FAICP nominations program. FAICP nominations are notoriously complex and time-consuming for nominees. Our program and application toolkit smooths the way and provides candidates with hands-on mentorship and a collaborative environment for giving and receiving feedback. FAICP experience is not required to volunteer. This opportunity is also very useful for anyone planning their own FAICP nomination in the next few years!

Busiest period: April- August in nomination years.

Example volunteer tasks:

• Solicit interest statements from eligible Division members.
• Solicit FAICP mentors.
• Communicate with nominees about deadlines and deliverables.
• Edit and proofread application materials.
• QA/QC materials prior to nomination submissions.
• Help draft Division nomination letters for nomination packets.
• Track Division FAICP nomination statistics and general FAICP demographic data to measure progress towards gender parity in FAICP.
• Collaborate with other Divisions or Chapters to jointly support diverse applicants.

Awards Committee

This committee promotes and distributes the Division's achievement and funding awards.

Busiest period: Periodic, with peaks of activity around active funding opportunities and sponsorship solicitation.

Example volunteer tasks:

• Administer and promote award opportunities.
• Managing and reviewing award applications and nominations.

Sponsorship Committee

This committee solicits Division sponsors and manages sponsor incentives and benefits.

Busiest period: Consistent, with a peak of activity around the National Planning Conference (NPC).

Example volunteer tasks:

• Develop annual sponsor prospectus and incentive program.
• Solicit sponsors.
• Act as a sponsor liaison ensuring satisfaction.

Untold Stories Committee

Manage and promote a unique digital archive of exemplary women

Committee members manage and promote Untold Stories, the Division's digital archive memorializing, cataloguing, and sharing women's stories of leadership, mentorship, teaching, creativity, and contributions to the planning profession. Stories are submitted to the archive via a digital form and the committee uses a template to transform responses into easy-to-read, dynamic snapshots highlighting the submitter's personal and professional accomplishments and contributions to planning. This is a unique opportunity to leave your mark on a signature project with lots of potential.

Busiest period: Consistent, with some peaks around events and promotions.

Example volunteer tasks: 

• Program management. 
• Monitoring submissions.
• Program marketing and promotion.
• Writing and editing.
• Graphic design.
• Web editing.

National Planning Conference (NPC) Committee

Plan, prepare, and facilitate the Division's annual NPC slate of events

Support the planning, preparation, and facilitation of the Division's annual slate of events at the National Planning Conference including educational sessions, annual reception, service activities, meet and greets, member recruitment, business meeting, and more. Committee members do not need to attend the conference to participate!

Busiest period: December - April, annually

Example volunteer tasks: 

• Pre-conference planning.
• Reception and event planning and hosting.
• Communication and promotions (i.e., social media and photography).
• Sponsor solicitation.
• Session greeters. 
• Coordinating with Divisions and Chapters.