The close of the year is a great time to look ahead to what the next 12 months has to offer; and for IAP2 USA, the short answer is “plenty”, including the next Skills Symposium coming up in February in Austin, Texas.

In this issue, you’ll find:

• Features:  President Leah Jaramillo has a peek at the new Strategic Plan; we’ll meet Ben Ettelman, who’s helping launch a new chapter in the Lone Star State; and the 2018 Student Scholarship applications are now open. 
• Events:  We welcome AICP members to the 2018 IAP2 USA Skills Symposium and early bird deadline pushed to December 31st; the Webinar Rewind features a daring, out-of-the-box approach to providing wellness in an economically distressed community in Denver -- the 2017 IAP2 USA Project of the Year. 
• Interesting Links:  We offer a video of P2 thought leader Max Hardy on asking “great questions”, while the European Commission launches consultations on dealing with “fake news”.
  

Features:

President's Message: Leah Jaramillo

As we reflect on the things we are thankful for, IAP2 USA would like to thank its members for regularly providing input and feedback on the services and programs we provide. You are taking the surveys, filling out evaluations, sharing social media posts and emailing suggestions. So, thank you for being engaged and communicating with us regularly!

The feedback you have provided through the membership survey, conference and program evaluations and via individual comments have been reviewed and incorporated into the updated IAP2 USA Strategic Plan (2018-2020). We are pleased to report that significant progress has been made since the creation of the 2015-2017 Strategic Plan and we continue to advocate for best practices in public participation, for the professionalization of the field and remain the organization of choice for good P2.

This just in... Presenting our incoming 2018 - 2020 Board Directors

Traci Ethridge

Gwen Happ

John Poynton

A big thank-you to everyone that ran. We will provide more information on your 2018 Board in the January newsletter.

We also want to provide sincere thanks to the departing Board members for their significant contributions to IAP2 USA over the past three years - you will be missed:

Myles Alexander

Kyle Bozentko

Member Profile: Ben Ettelman

Assistant Research Scientist, Texas A&M Transportation Institute

How long have you been in P2, and where have you worked?

I started with Morris Communications in Portland, Maine. I was an English major, with a knack for writing, so after I graduated I took this job as my primary role was producing meeting minutes. I was immediately interested in the field and planning and public engagement and my role with MC grew from taking meeting minutes, to being involved in all aspects of the P2 process, as well as the planning activities for the projects we worked on.
I went to graduate school at the University of Texas, Austin, to earn my masters in Urban Planning and when I went to TTI, I found a mix of planning and applied P2. At TTI, we conduct research that improves the state of the practice for P2 by allowing us to test innovative methods in the field. This includes developing and testing performance measures for P2 and incorporating more technology into public involvement processes.

2018 Student Scholarship: Do you know a student in P2? Tell them to apply!

Are you a student member of IAP2 USA and want some help furthering your education in P2-related fields? Apply now for a scholarship! IAP2 USA is offering one $1,000 scholarship, and the deadline to apply is coming up fast. Applications must be submitted in their entirety by January 15, 2018.

Apply to become IAP2 USA's next Intern!

Would you like to learn more, up-close-and-personal, about IAP2 and get paid to do it? IAP2 USA offers a one-year internship. The position involves working closely with IAP2 administrative staff, including, but not limited to, communications and writing, and assisting at IAP2 events.

Now Available The Journal of Public Deliberation

In a recent IAP2 Learning Webinar, Jacques Benard explored the question of whether collective is better when it comes to decision-making. The latest issue of the Journal of Public Deliberation includes research on the “Wisdom of Crowds”.

The Present and Future of P2... Graphically Recorded

“IAP2 has allowed me to influence change and educate others about the importance of participation.” “The future of P2 means more people under 40, playing a more influential role (on boards, etc.).”

Those are two of the comments Lydia Hooper of Fountain Visual Communications in Denver received as she created a graphic recording at the 2017 IAP2 North American Conference. She asked two key questions of people at the Conference: What difference has IAP2 made for you? and What do you think the future of P2 will be?

Help to Honor the Best in P2! Apply NOW to be a Core Values Awards Judge!

Here’s an opportunity for people who enjoy getting a look at innovative, creative approaches to P2 and recognizing excellence! Consider volunteering as a judge for the annual Core Values Awards! We’re looking for people with a variety of backgrounds in the profession -- including some past award-winners -- willing to devote up to 30 hours per year to evaluate and decide on the winners each year.

Upcoming Events:

The 2018 Skills Symposium gets even better!

The run-up to the Christmas season can be hectic, so you may have been putting off registering for the 2018 Skills Symposium, February 27 - March 2 in Austin, Texas. No matter...

We’ve now extended the deadline to register at the Early Bird rates to December 31!

And we have some exciting news: the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is now offering Certification Maintenance credits for IAP2 courses at the Skills Symposium. To celebrate this new relationship, the early-bird rate will be extended to AICP members, as well! Visit the Symposium Website to find out more and to see the Schedule-at-a-Glance!