President’s Message – February 2023

It’s February, a great time to share the LOVE (for planning)!

Do you have colleagues, clients, or planning officials that aren’t Chapter members? Help us increase our reach by encouraging the planners and officials in your network to join GPA.  Membership diversity, equity, and inclusion is a strategic goal for our Chapter and APA both. And we won’t move forward as a profession or as an organization without more voices at the table. So share the love this month.  

We also have swoon-worthy leadership positions open! We’re looking for volunteers for our State Legislative Liaison as well as candidates to replace our District 6 Director who has moved away from the district. If you live or work in the district and are interested in learning more about the role, please reach out to me. 

Another great way to share the love – APA national is looking for stories that showcase the success of housing planning in metro Atlanta. The best stories will connect planners to positive, tangible outcomes and have compelling visuals for a before and after effect. Email me to share ideas by Valentine’s Day! 

I hope you all feel the planning love this month!

Yours in service,
Whitney Shephard, PE
President of the Georgia Chapter of APA