Happy Holidays Planners,

It’s the end of the semester; we’re all tired and in need of well deserved break for the Holiday season. As such I’ll keep this issue of Plan2Plan short and sweet. I do still have some important news to share with you, but before we get to those topics feel free to take part in my Plan2Plan December, 2008 Poll. Click here.

It’s a collection of fun questions related to recent news topics, meant to reveal the ideology of the readership. The results of this little survey will be shared in a future Plan2Plan.

Jack Tse and Adam Cooper Celebrate at the SCARP Holiday Party

Now, the ‘important stuff’. To begin, there is some very significant news about the Membership Continuous Improvement Project, followed by a piece I wrote to clear up confusion about what the student rep does (this was inspired by the results of last month’s survey, regarding the potential overhaul of the CIP student rep position). Next up is an excellent article by recent UBC graduate; Michelle Babiuk, on Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance, followed by an award winning piece by Ren Thomas on Youth Transit Advisory Committees. Finally, we conclude with an update on the CAPS conference and the semester wrap ups from the various planning schools. Read on!

The MCIP Project

The most important project underway for the profession at this time is the Membership Continuous Improvement Project (MCIP). The Affiliate/National Membership Committee is spearheading the MCIP project to develop a “state of the art” professional association and to “raise the bar” to strengthen the profession. Planned improvements will provide an opportunity for the profession to advance itself reputationally, organizationally and administratively.

At a meeting held in Ottawa on November 16 and 17, the National/Affiliate Membership Committee (N/AMC) reviewed and endorsed the final Reports of the Task Force Groups on Competency, Ethical and Certification Standards. The N/AMC further instructed that these reports be sent as a single package to all Affiliate Councils for their review and request for endorsement to enable the continuance of work on the Membership Continuous Improvement Project.

These reports are important to you, as they will dictate how the profession is governed in the future and how you will achieve your MCIP designation. I urge you all to log into the CIP website to have a look at these documents and then provide me with feedback that I can voice at the CIP council.

Related to the improvement of the profession OPPI is asking its members to take part in a survey. They are participating in a Canada-wide re-examination of what it means to be a planner. This exercise will focus on how planners are trained and certified; how planning education is structured; and what are appropriate standards of practice and ethics for planners in a diverse and globalized society. If you would like to take part in OPPI’s survey please click here.

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CIP Student Rep Reform

My next major issue is related to the results of a short survey I created for the last issue of Plan2Plan. The results of this survey (not statistically significant, but directional), indicate that Canadian planning students are unaware of what the CIP student representative does; it’s time to remedy that. So if you are interested in having your say on the CIP council, and you want to sit next to me at the 2009 CIP conference in Niagara Falls, as the incoming CIP student representative, these are things you will be expected to do during your term.

1. Write articles for the Plan Canada magazine. The CIP staff will provide you with a theme to write to, or you can use this forum to discuss whatever current issue is on your mind. Keep in mind that every registered planner in the country will be receiving this magazine and potentially reading your work!
2. Compile, edit, distribute and write content for the online student magazine Plan2Plan. This is really your baby. You can use the publication to draw attention to issues you think are important or turn it into whatever you see fit. Publishing Plan2Plan can be challenging as it requires keeping the lines of communication wide open with other planning schools across the country.
3. Attend all CIP council meetings. The CIP has a budget to cover your travel and accommodation costs so that you can attend the council meetings to represent the students of Canada. Some of these meetings will be conducted via conference calls; others will require you to travel to Vancouver, Ottawa or Toronto. A great way to visit parts of the country you may not have seen!
4. Attend the CAPS conference. You will be required to attend and help promote the CAPS conference. Additionally, you will be responsible for chairing the AGM at the CAPS conference and helping to find a school to host the conference in the next year. This is an excellent networking opportunity and CAPS really serves to break down barriers between schools, creating a collegial atmosphere where we all learn and have a great time.
5. Attend the National Conference. You will attend and volunteer your services at the National conference (to be held in Niagara Falls in 2009). During this time you will shadow the outgoing student representative (me) at a council meeting, the CIP AGM and other social events. The conference will be an incredible learning experience and networking event, plus it’s in Niagara Falls, so you can tour the wineries and stand in awe before the falls.
6. Travel to schools and meet with students. Part of the responsibility of the CIP student representative is to travel to various schools across Canada. You will meet with students, get feedback on current initiatives and host social events while you visit. The CIP will provide you will a budget to defray the costs of travel and accommodation.
7. Work with the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. It will be your responsibility to work closely with the chair of the committee to set budgets and develop an agenda for student issues. This might include finding new sources of funding for students, or creating new ways for students to become involved in the profession.

If this sounds like something you are interested, I urge you to speak to me for more information. Don’t let this incredible opportunity pass you by. It really is a rewarding and challenging experience that can shape your career as a planner.

Adam Cooper
2008-2009 Student Representative

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