Ambassador Program Update

March 5, 2021 by admin
Policy/Legislative

American Planning Association Ambassador Program Update

In the past, APA Ambassadors were required to apply and complete activities throughout the year to forward the idea of planning as a profession to children ages K through 12. The APA Ambassador Program will be changing for 2021! With the change, there will no longer be a formal application; members who want to participate in the program will simply complete a form letting APA know about the activities throughout the year. All are welcome! Ambassador activities also count towards CM Credits with a maximum of 8 hours allowed. APA Ambassadors are community volunteers who are passionate about the planning profession and who firmly believe in the principles of diversity in planning.  The future of this program relies on our stewardship of it.  The Executive Committee and I would like to encourage the Utah Chapter to become active in this program.

Some of the program benefits include:

• Inspire the next generation of planners
• Becoming an agent of change
• Experience first-hand how to apply aspirational principles from the AICP code of ethics
• Earn pro bono AICP Certification Maintenance Credits
• An excellent addition to your resume backed by the premier association of the planning field: APA
• Enhance your professional network
• Be recognized by APA National and state chapters

The best resource for activity ideas are posted on the blog linked below.

https://www.planning.org/blog/?tags=1337

Also, the APA provides an Ambassador toolkit linked here:

https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/document/APA-Ambassador-Toolkit.pdf

Since 2015, I have served as an APA Ambassador for the Utah APA Chapter. This program has brought me many opportunities to present at the National APA Conference in Arizona, engage in discussions with various state departments, participate in Open Streets, launch Little City Walks, interact with children throughout Utah and get to know other planners and educators. It has been enlightening to get to know the issues local communities face individually, from the ground level, and through the eyes of children.  I would be happy to answer any questions regarding the program. I can be reached at 801-652-9971 or mullenmeagan@gmail.com or mbooth@farmington.utah.gov.

Thank you and thank you all for your support!