President’s Message – July
(L to R) Front : Gregory Brown, Alex Morrison, Emily Hopkings, Jeffrey Ruggieri, Kristen Wescott; Second: Allison Stewart-Harris, Erin Thoresen, Geneasa Elias, Lara Parker;Â Third: Jenny Palmer, Kyethea Clark, Bridget Lidy;Â Fourth: Richard Osborne, Megha Young, Nathan Wright, Marilyn Hall;Â Fifth: Sidney Douse, Cristina Pastore, Claire Breeden
Hello Georgia Planners,
Here are some Georgia Chapter and APA updates:
The Georgia Chapter Board conducted its annual retreat in Macon, Georgia at the Macon-Bibb Planning & Zoning Commission on June 11. Thank you to District 5 Director Gregory Brown for being a gracious host!Â
At the retreat, we began the dayâs conversation on the greatest challenges facing Georgia Planners. Topics revolved around the tone of public discourse (often negative and angry), navigating the challenges of the ever changing federal landscape, continued development pressures and housing shortages, how to engage our communities to reach all populations, continuing to advocate for everyone in our communities as well as building resilient communities, and actively engaging our membership. I am sure many of you are having these same conversations, and we want to support you through our programs. Weâd like to hear from you too, so please participate in the GPA survey. If you have any questions about APA policy, visit the policy page on the APA website.
Additional retreat topics included a peer review of similar sized Chapters administration and Chapter dues, potential bylaws revisions, outreach to student and emerging planners, and updates from Directors and Committee chairs. We are targeting 2026 conferences in March and September. Stay tuned for details. The board approved a mid-year budget adjustment to support planning events throughout the state. Have an idea for a local program? Let me know and Iâll get you in touch with your District Director.Â
As President, I am the Georgia representative of the APA Chapter Presidentsâ Council (CPC) and attended a CPC business meeting on June 24. One topic was APAâs âComponent Collaborationâ review. As the Georgia chapter of APA, we are one Component, and this effort is underway to streamline and improve services provided by APA to our Chapter as well as to APA Divisions. Current services include dues collection and distribution, providing Chapter rosters, and centralized elections.Â
As always, I encourage all of you to become more active in GPA. If you have any comments or questions, reach out to me.
Happy Summer!