Idaho APA Chapter Proposal

Dear Western Central Chapter APA Member:

   Idaho members of the Western Central Chapter (WCC) APA have petitioned the American Planning Association to create the Idaho Chapter of APA. The petition was signed by more than 100 APA members, as required by National APA By-Laws. If Idaho's petition is approved, WCC's boundaries will change, and our Chapter will consist of four states -- North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana.

   A Proposed change to the WCC boundary must be voted on affirmatively by the WCC Executive Committee for it to become effective. Prior to voting on this proposal, the WCC Executive Committee wishes to provide members with an opportunity to express opinions regarding the Idaho initiative.

   Information regarding this proposal, including a copy of the Idaho Petition and Draft By-Laws, may be viewed on this website (http://www.wccapa.org/.) Written comments may be posted here, electronically, or may be sent via US mail to: Andrew Epple, AICP, WCC President, P.O. Box 1230, Bozeman, MT 59771-1230. Comments will be received until 5:00 p.m. November 10, 2006. Thereafter, the Executive Committee will review the Idaho petition, along with any and all comments received, take formal action on the proposal, and forward a recommendation to the APA Board of Directors.

   Idaho members of APA have provided the following table of "pros and cons" regarding their proposal, as a means to stimulate further comments.

   For your information, Western Central Chapter APA has 487 members. Of that total, 189 (38.8%) are Idaho members.

   Thank you for taking time to consider Idaho's petition and to provide comments.

Andrew Epple, AICP
WCC President

American Planning Association Idaho Chapter Bylaws

SECTION 1 - CHAPTER NAME AND BOUNDARY

The name of the Chapter shall be the American Planning Association Idaho Chapter. The area served by the Chapter shall be the State of Idaho.

SECTION 2 - CHAPTER MISSION

The Chapter's mission shall be to carry out the objectives of the American Planning Association (APA) and to:

A. Promote the art and science of planning in Idaho.
B. Help planning professionals in their profession.
C. Advance the practice of planning and opportunities for planners.
D. Emphasize the importance of achieving the final vision/goal over mere procedure.
E. Protect the legacy of our state's natural environment.
F. Nurture the improvement of our built environment.
G. Foster social and environmental equity.
H. Advocate for every citizen's opportunity to participate.
I. Support Planning and Zoning Commission members and citizen planners

SECTION 3 - CHAPTER STRATEGIES

The Chapter shall pursue the following strategies for achieving its mission. These strategies can be broadly grouped into three themes: promoting the art and science of planning; membership support; and advocacy and outreach to the broader community:

A. Organize and Distribute Planning Resources;
B. Promote Education About Planning to Other Professions and the Public;
C. Promote Education of Planners and Planning and Zoning Commission members;
D. Support the Idaho APA Membership;
E. Increase Idaho APA Membership;
F. Create a Program for Enhancing the Chapter's Administrative and Organizational Effectiveness;
G. Create a Legislative Outreach Program for the Chapter;
H. Create a Program to Assist Planning Commissioners;
I. Seek to Energize and Excite the Public About Planning.
J. Work In Partnership With Other Non-Profit And Professional Organizations In Promoting The Values Of Planning.

SECTION 4 - CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP

Chapter members shall be members of APA or members of only the Idaho Chapter.

A. APA MEMBERS
     1. APA members shall automatically be members of the Idaho Chapter if they are members of the APA and their addresses of record, as provided by them to the National office, are within the State of Idaho; they shall be considered "regular members" of the Idaho Chapter, and shall be subject to all Idaho Chapter membership requirements including payment of Chapter dues.
     2. APA members whose address of record is outside the Chapter area may also become voting Chapter members upon payment of any applicable dues and assessments; these Chapter members may not hold office or represent the Chapter in National APA affairs but may serve on Chapter committees.

B. CHAPTER ONLY MEMBERS
     1. Chapter Only Members shall be those who are otherwise eligible for Association membership but choose not to be and pay Chapter dues established by the Board.
     2. Chapter Only Members may not participate in National APA elections or hold National APA office, however, such members may vote in Chapter elections, serve on Chapter committees, and be elected to or hold a Chapter office other than Chapter President, Vice President, or Professional Development Officer.
     3. Members of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) must retain membership in the National Association and therefore are "regular members" as defined above.
     4. Any full-time student enrolled in a planning related program at a college in Idaho may become a chapter-only member. No dues will be charged to such student members while they are enrolled as full-time students in such a program.

C. TERMINATION AND REINSTATEMENT
     1. Chapter membership will be terminated upon termination of National APA membership.
     2. Chapter only membership will be terminated for failure to pay Chapter only dues.
     3. Chapter membership will be terminated when a member moves his/her address of record out of the Chapter area, unless the member requests to retain a non-resident membership and continues to pay Chapter dues.
     4. Chapter membership may be terminated if, after proper investigation and deliberation, the Board finds that the member has violated APA Code of Ethics and, for AICP members, the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
     5. Chapter membership may be reinstated only to APA members, subject to such conditions as may be established by the Chapter.

SECTION 5 - FINANCES

A. The Idaho Chapter is non-profit. Its income shall be used only for Chapter purposes, and no part of any net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual, except that the Chapter may pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, and to make payments and/or distributions in furtherance of Chapter purposes.

B. Before the annual business meeting, the Treasurer shall prepare a tentative budget which shall then be reviewed by the Executive Board. After further review and discussion at the annual business meeting, the Board shall adopt the budget. It may be modified from time to time by a majority vote of the Board. The original budget and subsequent modifications shall, after adoption, be posted on the Chapter's website.

SECTION 6 - ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

The Chapter shall hold an annual business meeting. At that meeting, the Chapter shall establish the approximate date and location of the next annual business meeting. Additional meetings and conferences may be held during the year as the Board deems necessary. Unless otherwise agreed to by a majority of the members present at the outset, Roberts Rules of Order shall be used at the annual business meeting.

SECTION 7 - OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD

A. The Chapter shall elect a President and Vice-President, and six regional representatives as members to an Executive Board. From the elected members, the president selects, and the Executive Board members affirm, the selection of a secretary and treasurer. From the Chapter membership, the president selects, and the Executive Board members affirm, two planning commission members, one each from a county and a city; a professional development officer; an education and outreach chair; and a legislative and policy affairs chair who also serve as members of the Executive Board.

B. The Chapter Officer duties shall be as follows:
     1. The President shall:
         a. call meetings of the Chapter and Executive Board;
         b. preside at those meetings;
         c. appoint and discharge all Chapter committees, with the consent of the Executive Board;
         d. be a non-voting ex-officio member of all committees;
         e. prepare an annual report;
         f. serve on the Chapter President's Council; and
         g. perform other duties customary to the office.
     2. The Vice-President shall act in the absence or incapacity of the President, and shall serve as parliamentarian. Should the President resign, the Vice-President shall assume the office for the remainder of the term plus a full two-year term. The Vice-president will serve as the membership chair to promote and retain membership in the Chapter.
     3. The Secretary shall:
         a. keep minutes and be responsible for their timely transmission to the Executive Board;
         b. prepare ballots and notify members of their elections to offices and appointments to committees;
         c. within 30 days after elections, transmit to the Association's national office a list of Chapter officers with their addresses and telephone numbers; and
         d. perform other duties customary to the office.
     4. The Treasurer shall:
         a. maintain the Chapter's general funds and accounts, which shall always be open for Executive Board inspection;
         b. provide the Board with quarterly financial statements of income, expenditures, and the status of Chapter accounts;
         c. prepare an annual financial statement of the Chapter's budget, including deficits or carryover;
         d. submit dues rate changes to the national office;
         e. provide for a periodic audit, or as directed by the Executive Board;
         f. perform other duties as customary to the office.
     5. The regional representatives shall represent the interests of their region in the state and provide a communication link between the Board and the planners in the region they represent.
     6. The Planning and Zoning Commissioners shall be responsible for building and promoting the relationship of the Chapter with the appointed planning officials in the state.
     7. The Professional Development Officer shall be a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and shall be responsible for providing AICP membership information and other professional development programs and activities on behalf of the Chapter.
     8. The Education and Outreach Committee Chair shall serve as ambassador for the planning profession, and shall be responsible for education and outreach about planning to public officials, allied professions, students, educators, interest groups, the media, and the public at large.
     9. The Legislative and Policy Affairs Chair shall all be a member of the American Planning Association (APA), and shall be responsible for developing and implementing the Chapter's legislative and policy action program. The Chair shall represent the Executive Board and Chapter on legislative and planning policy matters and determine the Chapter's position on proposed legislation and policy when the Executive Board is unable to define the Chapter position in a timely manner.

C. Composition, duties, and quorum of the Executive Board shall be as follows:
     1. COMPOSITION. Unless otherwise noted all members of the Executive Board shall be voting members. The Executive Board shall consist of the following elected and appointed officers:
     Elected Officers
         a. Chapter President
         b. Vice-President
         c. Six regional representatives
     Appointed Officers
         d. Two Planning Commissioners, one each from a city and county
         e. Professional Development Officer
         f. Chair of Legislative and Policy Affairs
         g. Education and Outreach Committee Chair
     2. DUTIES. The Executive Board shall:
         a. Manage the affairs of the Chapter;
         b. Adopt and revise as necessary the Chapter Strategic Plan;
         c. Prepare and adopt a balanced annual budget;
         d. Set the annual Chapter dues;
         e. Prepare an annual report of Chapter activities for presentation at the annual business meeting;
         f. Authorize expenditures consistent with the approved budget;
         g. Review and take action on all nominations for Chapter awards and Chapter nominations for national awards;
         h. Upon request, investigate alleged violations of the APA Code of Ethics or the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility;
         i. Review and comment upon proposed APA programs, policies, and positions;
         j. Authorize all contracts and agreements binding the Chapter;
         k. Implement all votes of the Chapter;
         l. Adopt and disseminate Chapter policies and positions;
         m. Attend and participate in Chapter Board meetings, and take a leadership role in the activities of the Chapter;
         n. Remove Chapter officers from office and committee members from that committee for malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance, or incapacity;
         o. Perform such other functions as are delegated herein, by the President, or by the members of the Chapter; and
         p. Review and recommend candidates for FAICP.
     3. QUORUM. Fifty percent (50%) plus one of the constituted Executive Board shall be required for transacting business at Board meetings.

SECTION 8 - CHAPTER ELECTIONS, TERMS OF OFFICE, AND VACANCIES

A. PURPOSE. This section's purpose is to prescribe the procedures for election of Chapter officers and other voting procedures as may be required, terms of office, filling of vacancies, and similar matters.

B. VOTING ELEGIBILITY. All Chapter members in good standing shall be eligible to vote for Chapter officers.

C. NOMINATION AND VOTING PROCEDURES.
     1. At least twelve weeks prior to the Annual meeting, the Vice-President shall chair a Nominating Committee composed of at least three Chapter members, at least two of which shall not be current members of the Executive Board.
     2. Not less than eight weeks prior to the Annual meeting, the Nominating committee shall submit to the President a report containing a list of eligible nominees for each Board position up for election. Efforts shall be made to nominate at least two candidates for each position. In seeking nominations and developing a slate of candidates, the Executive Board and the Nominating Committee will seek:
          • diversity of gender, ethnicity, and age among the candidates;
          • candidates from a variety of public, private, and not-for-profit planning organizations;
     3. Not less than four weeks prior to the Annual meeting, the Secretary shall send each Chapter member a ballot containing the names of the candidates submitted by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Board, and space for a write-on vote for each position. The ballot shall also specify a return date of not less than two weeks prior to the Annual meeting. Ballots received after the date specified shall not be counted.

D. ELECTION. Executive Board members shall be elected by the affirmative, written ballots of a plurality of all members voting. The Secretary shall enter ballot results into the Board's minutes. In case of a tie, the Board shall elect one of the tied candidates. Approximately two weeks before the Annual meeting, the secretary shall notify elected candidates. Election results shall also be posted on Chapter's website.

E. TERMS OF OFFICE. Officers and at-large Board members shall begin their terms of office at the Annual Meeting.
     1. At the initial election creating the Chapter, the President and Vice-President will be elected to two year terms of office and the regional representatives will be elected to a one year term of office.
     2. After the initial election in creation of the Chapter, the Executive Board Members will be elected in staggered two year terms. The President and Vice-President will be elected in one year and the regional representatives will be elected in the next year.
     3. No Executive Board member may serve more than two full consecutive terms in the same office.

F. VACANCIES. The Board may fill Executive Board vacancies that occur between elections. Persons so elected by the Board shall hold the office until the next regularly scheduled Chapter election for that position.

G. ELIGIBILITY TO RUN FOR AND HOLD CHAPTER OFFICES. Candidates for all positions on the Idaho APA board must be chapter members in good standing at the time of their nomination and must have their primary place of residence, primary place of work, or both in Idaho. Chapter officers and members of the board must continue to maintain chapter membership in good standing throughout the term of their office.

SECTION 9 - COMMITTEES

The President, with the advice and consent of the Board, shall appoint standing and ad hoc committees as necessary to carry out Chapter purposes.

SECTION 10 - CHAPTER AWARDS

A. The Chapter shall develop and maintain an awards program to recognize excellent service by individuals and groups significantly contributing to the advancement of the art and science of planning in the Chapter area.

B. Awards may be made to individuals or groups, to members or non-members of APA, and to professional planners, citizen planners, elected officials or students.

C. The Chapter President shall appoint an awards committee who shall be responsible for developing and maintaining the awards program. The Committee shall describe the specific purposes and characteristics of the awards program, solicit, receive and review nominations, and recommend program policies to the Executive Board.

D. The Executive Board shall review and approve the general plan for the awards program, as well as nominations for awards.

E. Members of the Executive Board may be considered eligible for an award, as may the agencies or firms with which they are associated, however, Board members are responsible to announce any such associations and remove themselves from voting, as appropriate.

F. The awards shall be formally announced at the Chapter annual meeting.

SECTION 11 - AMENDMENTS

Bylaw amendments may be proposed by the Executive Board or by petition signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the Chapter membership. The proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the Chapter members together with a mail ballot and the recommendations of the Bylaws Committee and the Executive Board. The election may occur at the same time as that for electing chapter officers or by special election provided that Chapter members are provided at least ten working days to return their ballots.