Why Belong to APA?

March 10, 2022 by admin
Policy/Legislative

Why Belong to APA?

• Expand your network. We bring together nearly 40,000 individuals from every state and more than 70 countries who share your passions and can help shape your future. Engage with planners from your local area and from disciplines you care about. Discuss experiences, face challenges, and possibly land your next job!

• Connect with specialists. The National Planning Conference gathers thousands of planners under one roof. You can build a network that stretches across the country and around the world. Join one or more of APA’s 21 divisions — communities of professionals with shared interests — at a discounted rate. Divisions contribute to APA’s national policy work and offer online education and forums, publications, and specialized sessions at the National Planning Conference.

• Connect locally. Join one of 47 chapters (required for US members) — the local source for networking and professional development — and connect with the area planning community through the chapter’s annual conference, education and advocacy programs, and public information campaigns.

• Get AICP certified. Take your planning to the next level. Only as an APA member can you earn certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners. AICP offers the only national, independent verification of planners’ qualifications.

• Keep up with planning. All members receive Planning magazine your best sources for news on contemporary planning practices, unlimited access to current and archived Planning Advisory Service resources, APA’s Research KnowledgeBase, and our member e-newsletter, Interact. Get early access to new research and innovative practices and check out planning books and more from APA’s E-book Collection. Plus, all members get a deep discount to the Journal of the American Planning Association, the planning profession’s journal of record.

• Advance your career. Get a boost from APA’s online Career Center. It’s a powerhouse of resources for job seekers, including the member’s only Career Reality Webinar series. Make yourself visible to prospective employers by completing your My APA profile. Find out where you stand with the biennial APA/AICP Planners Salary Survey.

• Update your skills. Get mentoring, guidance, and training at all stages of your professional life through APA’s top-notch professional education — delivered in-person and online.

• Promote planning. Your membership will strengthen APA’s advocacy for good planning and essential programs. On a personal level, APA’s communication tools, training, organization, and access will help you become an effective advocate able to craft and deliver positive messages about planning to key audiences.

Ask your employer to support your professional development by paying for your APA membership. Use our talking points to reinforce your request.

Other Ways to Participate

If you’re interested in the field of planning but not in APA membership, consider:

• Subscribing to Planning. It’s a great way to keep up with important planning issues and innovative practices.
• Donating to the Planning Foundation of APA to support student academic and travel scholarships, community assistance programs, special research projects, and more. The Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) subsidiary of APA and contributions are tax-deductible.

NOT A PLANNER?

APA membership is open to everyone who is committed to applying the benefits of planning to create communities of lasting value.

• Learn more if you’re a planning or zoning board member or commissioner, or an elected or appointed official.
• Learn more if you’re an educator.
• Learn more if you live outside the United States.
• Learn more if you’re a student.
• Learn more if you work in an affiliated profession, or you are an interested nonplanner.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

• Go to Frequently Asked Questions.
• See the APA dues chart.
• Contact us using our customer service form.

Why Belong to APA?

• Expand your network. Engage with nearly 40,000 people from every state and more than 70 countries who share your dedication to creating communities that thrive and prosper. Discuss experiences and solve challenges with peers.
• Connect locally. Join one of 47 chapters (required for US members) — the local source for networking and professional development — and conveniently connect with the area planning community through the chapter’s annual conference, education and advocacy programs, and public information campaigns.
• Connect with specialists. Members may join one or more of APA’s 21 divisions — communities of professionals who share your interests — at a discounted rate. Divisions offer online education and forums, publications, and specialized sessions at the annual National Planning Conference, as well as contribute to national policy work.
• Keep up with planning. All members receive Planning magazine, access to current and archived publications of APA’s Planning Advisory Service, APA’s Research KnowledgeBase and Interact — your best sources for news on contemporary planning practices. Get early access to new research and innovative practices. Members also enjoy the APA Library’s E-book Collection and discounts on resources through the APA Store.
• Save on other publications. Members enjoy discounts on resources through the APA Store and a lower subscription rate to the Journal of the American Planning Association — the planning profession’s journal of record since 1935.
• Help your community. APA member dues support programs that foster good planning in local communities.
  • Great Places in America recognizes exemplary streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces
  • National Community Planning Month raises the visibility of planners and planning where you live
  • Community Assistance Programs provide volunteer, place-based assistance and advisory services to communities, regions, and neighborhoods.

Other Ways to Participate

If you’re interested in the field of planning but not in APA membership, consider:

• Subscribing to Planning. It’s a great way to keep up with important planning issues and innovative practices.
• Donating to the APA Foundation to support student academic and travel scholarships, community assistance programs, special research projects, and more. The Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) subsidiary of APA and contributions are tax-deductible.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

• See the APA dues schedule.
• Go to Frequently Asked Questions.
• Contact us using our customer service form.
• Call 312-431-9100.