APA Ambassador Program

Speakers:

Monica Groh, APA Director of Emerging Professionals

Mary Miltimore, AICP, Fitzgerald & Halliday Inc. Senior Community Planner & Designer

Orientation WebinarFebruary 8, 2018 from 1:00-2:00 ET

planning.org

Original program offered in 2008 with little traction

Pilot Program launched in 2016, >40 volunteers from 17 states

APA Board of Directors approved program in 2016 as an ongoing initiative

AICP Commission approved CM credits for pro bono activities

History and Background

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APA member volunteers

Domestic and international

Individuals or teams

Students, professionals, Fellows of AICP, etc.

Who Are APA Ambassadors?

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Over 160 volunteers – almost twice as many as 2017

From 35 states, Washington, DC, Egypt, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe

More than 10 ambassador teams

2018 APA Ambassador Applicants – YOU!

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Your Commitment and Requirements

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To conduct at least two activities in 2018, minimum of an hour each

To try to reach audiences of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, underrepresented or not traditionally engaged in planning process

Activity should include conversation about planning and the planning profession

Activity can be tailored to your expertise, interest, and audience – be CREATIVE, be ENGAGING, and HAVE FUN!

Your Commitment

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By the end of 2018….

1. Complete an Ambassador Evaluation Survey

2. Submit activity report for each activity (for teams – the leader is responsible for this)

3. Facilitate Attendee Surveys (for teams – the leader is responsible for this)

Your Requirements

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Materials and Resources To Help You

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Homepage

1

2

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Write a blog

We will spotlight it to APA membership and partners

Contact ambassadors@planning.org for specifications

We’d Love to Share Your Story

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APA Staff - Monica Grohmgroh@planning.org

Your local APA Chapter planning.org/chapters

Previous Ambassador volunteersplanning.org/members/directory

Upcoming Ambassador Webinars - TBD

Who Can You Contact for Help?

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APA Ambassador team lead

Fitzgerald & Halliday (FHI)

Mary Miltimore, AICP

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• 2 team leaders: Shawna Kitzman, AICP & Mary Miltimore, AICP 2 offices: NYC & Hartford

• Sessions occurred at schools – various levels

• ~270 kids!

Fitzgerald & Halliday (FHI) APA Ambassador Teams

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Session Examples 1. An Introduction to Planning2. What’s a Planner?3. 5th Grade Career Day4. Newington High School

Career Day5. Planning for Wetlands6. Consideration of Wetlands

During Project Development

7. Conservation Planning for Wildlife Habitats

8. Planning and Your Neighborhood

9. Exploring Roads, Tunnels, and Bridges

10. Improving Resiliency: The Role of Planners in NYC

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When first setting up your sessions…• Connect early!

• Use your connections to build credibility

Reaching Out to Programs

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Consider the type of session you want to lead before reach out

Types of Programs & Sessions

Schools• Curriculum & schedule: less

flexible • Opportunity to participate in

pre-planned programs: Career days, etc.

• Potentially less prep work

After-school programs, etc.• More flexibility • Higher potential for off-site

visits and interactive activities • Potentially more prep work

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Interactive activities • Maps (create

own or identify things

• Build/ construct• Report back

Get People Involved

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• Consider going “off campus” for a site visit for a portion of the session

Get People Involved

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Multiple languages, backgrounds, ages etc.• Consider terminology

• Focus on one concept

• Consider age-appropriateness

• Bilingual speakers

Ensure Accessibility

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• Be ready for things to not go as planned

…and roll with it!

Be Adaptable

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• Take pictures (if given permission)

• Write your blog early

• Post to social media

• Share your resources!

Tell People About It!

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1. Reach out to schools or other programs early

2. Use your connections to build credibility when reaching out to a school or program for 1st time

3. Consider session type you want to lead & type of program

4. Get people involved through interactive activities or possible off-campus site visit

5. Ensure accessibility through terminology, focused concept, age appropriate considerations & potential bilingual speakers

6. Be ready to adapt!

7. Tell people about it!

Summary of Tips

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Questions?