The Technology Division of the American Planning Association aims to promote the use of technology in planning and community development. In FY2012, the division achieved major accomplishments, including increased member engagement through social media, publication of newsletters, and successful conference participation, while facing challenges in membership retention and social media conversion rates. The FY2013 work plan focuses on maintaining membership, developing a mobile website, and collaborating with various stakeholders for technology-related initiatives.

1. DIVISIONS COUNCIL
FY2012 ANNUAL DIVISION PERFORMANCE REPORT
TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
1. Summary of Major Accomplishments
The Technology Division links members who share interests in the uses of technology in land use
planning and community development to make great communities happen.
Vision
Our vision is to be a leading voice in the planning community for technology in support of planning
and to become the preferred forum for debate about technology as it applies to planning.
Why?
The use of technology is integral to how communities are communicating and engaging their
citizens to plan for the future. Big data and rapidly evolving tools for community design and
decision making are creating new opportunities to enhance public involvement, share information,
and make more informed decisions in cities and towns throughout the country.
Purpose
Our purpose is to exchange information about planning applications that incorporate technology, to
explore potential applications that may have benefit to the profession, and to inform all members of
the association about solutions that work.
We believe the planning community needs a voice to advocate for best practices in technology. The
division advocates for the responsible and best use of technology in support of planning.
FY2012 Work Plan
We repeated successful activities from previous years, namely:
1. Conducted the Division Business meeting at the 2012 National Conference in Los Angeles,
CA to interact with our membership.
2. Participated in the Divisions Council booth at the 2012 National Conference to spread the
word about division activities and recruit new members.
3. Published 3 electronic newsletter editions and 1 hardcopy newsletter edition, which was
distributed at the 2012 National Conference.
4. Participated in the Planning Webcast series (http://www.utah-apa.org/webcasts) and the
Divisions Achievement Awards.
We also initiated activities, namely:

2. 1. As per the feedback received from the membership at our Business Meeting, we created
additional social media channel for membership outreach.
https://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=4409686
2. Transitioned from paid membership newsletter mailing service to included bulk mailing.
3. Sought nomination for and filled vacant Vice-Chair position.
4. As per Point 9 from our FY2012 Work Plan, we revisited earlier website design upgrades
initiated with a vendor - MIG (http://www.migcom.com/), for our newsletter group blog.
We also investigated website redesign with another vendor - Urban Interactive Studio
(http://www.urbaninteractivestudio.com/).
Design Upgrade: Option 1

3. Design Upgrade: Option 2
5. As per Point 6 from our FY2012 Work Plan, we conducted online chats.
6. As per Point 8 from our FY2012 Work Plan, we imported FY2011 newsletter archives into
Google Drive (https://drive.google.com/).

4. 7. As per Point 13 from our FY2012 Work Plan, we investigated the use of Amazon Web
Services’ (AWS) Elastic Cloud Computing (EC2) (https://aws.amazon.com/ec2/) for our
newsletter group blog’s webserver.
8. As per Point 3 from our FY2012 Work Plan and the feedback received from the
membership at our Business Meeting, we investigated the use of jQuery Mobile
(http://jquerymobile.com/) with Apache Cordova for a new mobile website and app.
9. As per the concerns identified in our previous evaluation, we reviewed and updated our By-laws.
2. Annual Work Plans
As per the previous evaluation, the division’s strengths include:
1. Communications with members through newsletters and social media sites
2. Webinars and educational opportunities for members
3. Implementation of suggested processes and programs in FY 2010 evaluation
4. Assisting Divisions Council with report on options for webinars
5. Awards program and student paper competition
Important objectives from our Work Plan FY2012 were achieved.
13-point Agenda
1. To maintain membership total.
2. To further continue to explore how our division can serve as a test-bed for technology-related
ideas.
3. To implement Web 2.0 and opensource technologies to more frequently communicate with
our membership and offer big data analyses - As per the feedback received from the
membership at our Business Meeting, priority to be given to creating a mobile website and
app.
4. To continue to repeat successful activities identified under Major Accomplishments.
5. To further increase member participation and conduct membership surveys via social media
channels.
6. To use the power-of-the-purse by allocating ownership to Section Chairs to initiate awards
or recruit interns or purchase tools or services.
7. To more promptly update the APA-hosted webpages - Priority to be given to implementing
Amazon Web Services (AWS), and converting it into a case-study on cloud-services.

5. 8. To create dashboard stats for the Executive Leadership and interested divisions and
chapters.
9. To institute a fair Ad Policy to guide ad cross-exchange via seeding partner.
10. To collaborate with both private and public sectors - APA, colleges and vendors, on grants,
scholarships, curricula and recruitments.
11. To prepare for the 2013 National Conference in Chicago, IL.
12. As per the opportunities identified in our previous evaluation, to incorporate APA
Development Plan goals ( http://www.planning.org/leadership/developmentplan/) with
division's agenda and work plan.
13. In view of the leadership’s decision to not run for reelection, to ensure a smooth transition
to the new leadership.
FY2013 Work Plan
S
N
Task
D
u
r
a
ti
o
n
Importance Urgency
Importance
+ Urgency
Responsibility Budget
* 1 (lowest) - 3 (highest) ____
1
To maintain
membership
total.
TB
D
3 1 4 Leadership
Committee TBD
2 To further
continue to
TB
2 1 3 Leadership
Committee TBD

6. explore how our
division can serve
as a test-bed for
technology-related
ideas.
D
3
To create a
mobile website
and app.
TB
D
3 1 4 Leadership
Committee TBD
4
To continue to
repeat successful
activities
identified under
Major
Accomplishment
s.
TB
D
2 1 3 Leadership
Committee TBD
5
To further
increase member
participation and
conduct
membership
surveys via social
media channels.
TB
D
3 2 5 Membership
Chair TBD
6
To use the
power-of-the-purse
by
allocating
ownership to
Section Chairs to
initiate awards or
recruit interns or
purchase tools or
services.
TB
D
2 1 3 Chair TBD
7
To implement
Amazon Web
Services (AWS),
and convert it
into a case-study
on cloud-services.
TB
D
2 1 3
Chair, Vice-
Chair,
Newsletter
Group Blog
Editor
TBD
8
To create
dashboard stats
for the Executive
Leadership and
interested
divisions and
chapters.
TB
D
1 1 2 Chair TBD
9
To institute a fair
Ad Policy to
guide ad cross-exchange
via
TB
D
1 1 2 Chair TBD

7. seeding partner.
10
To collaborate
with both private
and public
sectors on grants,
scholarships,
curricula and
recruitments.
TB
D
1 1 2 TBD
11
To prepare for
the 2013 National
Conference.
Fe
b-
Ap
r
3 2 5
Chicago
Conference
Chair
TBD
12
To incorporate
APA
Development
Plan goals with
division's agenda
and work plan.
TB
D
1 1 2 Vice-Chair TBD
13
In view of the
leadership’s
decision to not
run for
reelection, to
ensure a smooth
transition to the
new leadership.
Fe
b-
Ap
r
3 2 5 Chair TBD
S
N
Task
D
u
r
a
ti
o
n
Importance Urgency Responsibility Budget
* 1 (lowest) - 3 (highest) ____
3. Communications
Via Newsletter PDFs
The division published its newsletter three times this year - all electronic editions, with one more
electronic edition being finalized at the time of this writing.
SN Issue Distribution Theme
1 Winter 2012 Electronic Crowd-sourcing

8. 2 Spring 2012 Electronic Geographic Information
System (GIS)
3 Summer 2012 Electronic Mobile
4 Winter 2013 Electronic Online Engagement *
SN Issue Distribution Theme
Latest Newsletter (Winter 2013) *
Via Newsletter Group Blog
Our Executive Committee struggled with the 2-website path wherein the division provided more
basic information on its APA-hosted webpages, while providing more current information on its
independent website - This was one reason why we investigated website redesign with vendors.
Via Social Media
The social media channels we created continued to grow and offer more ways to engage our
membership.

9. From the start of 2012 to the start of 2013, our Twitter followers grew by 372% from 55
to 205:
(https://twitter.com/apa_technology, @APA_Technology)
From the spring of 2012 to the start of 2013, our LinkedIn members grew to 121.

10. From the start of 2012 to the start of 2013, our Facebook Likes grew by 354% from 11
to 39:
(https://www.facebook.com/pages/APA-Technology/218923968143539)
However, we struggled to grow our YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/APAtechnology)
and Google Groups (http://groups.google.com/group/apa-technology) channels, and to
incorporate our protected Twitter (http://twitter.com/APA_Tech_Leader) and Google Groups
(https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!forum/apa-tech-leader) channels for internal
communication and coordination.
For Members Only
The division transitioned from using VerticalResponse to disseminate its newsletter PDFs to using
bulk emails. In addition, email announcements were sent out to the membership as needed. For
example, we used the membership listserv to solicit session proposals, recruit leadership nominees,
and encourage voting.
4. Conference Sessions / Educational Programming
The division sponsored by-right session that was well attended, and participated in the Planning
Webcast series and the Divisions Achievement Awards.

11. Topic: “Mobile, Open-Source Technology for Planners”
Speaker: Dominick J. Ard’is
Location: S488, JW Marriott, Los Angeles, CA
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM, Sunday, April 15th
5. Annual Business Meetings
The division held its business meeting at the 2012 National Conference.
Time: 9AM - 10AM, Monday, April 16th
Location: Georgia II, JW Marriott, Los Angeles, CA
Roster
The nine members present included Harsh Prakash (Chair), Corey Proctor (Vice-Chair), Jennifer
Cowley (Immediate Past-Chair), Ken Snyder (Past-Chair), Karen Fung, Melissa Ladd, Jeremy, Kate
and Geoff.
Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order on Monday, April the 16th, at 9 AM in Georgia II, JW Marriott.
I. Introductions
All attendees first introduced themselves. The major themes for discussion included the division’s
report - “Options for Division Webinars”, and the theme of the national conference - “RE-IMAGINE
LA”.
II. Budget
Harsh Prakash provided an update of the division budget - the division had approximately $9,000
available. He described the APA-wide transition of accounting to APA National, and its pros and
cons vis-à-vis financial reporting.
III. Webcasts / Webinars
The division’s participation in the Planning Webcast series versus APA’s Audio/Web Conference
was discussed.
IV. Newsletter PDF
Corey Proctor handed out print-outs of their latest newsletter. A call for volunteers to man the
Divisions Council booth was also made.
V. Adjournment
Finally, the meeting was adjourned at 10 AM after a round of questions and an invitation to the
nearby “Yard House”.

12. 6. Membership / Outreach
Membership Total
From the end of 2011 to the end of 2012, our membership total decreased marginally by 6% from
204 to 192. This is compared to last year when it fell by 7% from 218 to 204. This is a cause for
concern for most of APA’s divisions.
To address this, at the National Conference, we conducted a business meeting, participated in the
Divisions Council booth, distributed our newsletter PDFs, promoted our sessions, and handed-out
APA brochures on divisions. However, our online presence remained our most effective
recruitment tool and was strengthened from having dedicated Social Networking & New
Technology, and GIS Chairs.
7. Leadership Committee
Elections were conducted under the supervision of Andy Taylor, Election Chair. The following were
the results:
 Harsh Prakash, Chair
 Corey Proctor, GIS Chair and acting Vice-Chair
 Joni Herren Graves, Secretary/Treasurer
 Jennifer Cowley, Immediate Past Chair
 Ken Snyder, Past Chair
 Ayanthi Gunawardana, Social Networking & New Technology Chair
 Stephen Chiaramonte, Newsletter PDF Editor
 Robert Goodspeed, Newsletter Group Blog Editor
8. Financial Reporting
FY2012 Financial Report
Ending Balance
The division maintained a positive cash-flow, starting FY2012 with $8,722 and ending it with
$10,379 with an increase of 19% even after a decline in membership. After paying a lump-sum
disbursement of $5,975, its balance was around $4,300 at the start of 2013. During 2012, its financial
resources were primarily spent on Business Meeting and Leadership Retreat.
FY2013 Budget

13. The balance funds of $4,300 are planned to be spent on several activities - section awards, AICP CM
provider fees, webinar/webcast registrations, business meeting and leadership retreat. However, the
current leadership will work with the new leadership to ascertain important expenses.
9. Divisions Council Meetings
The annual meetings at the 2012 National Conference and the Divisions Council were attended by
the Chair.
Summary
There were no major votes on the docket.
10. Governance
Primary means of communication was email, tweet and post. Members of the Leadership
Committee met via conference call on a need-by-need basis.
11. Issues & Challenges
Although there are no major policy issues anticipated, the division’s main challenge is:
1. How to increase the conversion rate of its social media campaigns: How to convert its
growing online users into more active, more engaged or paying members.

14. Print time::11/20/12 American Planning Association
Run Time:12:37 PM MD-6102 TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
For the Month Ending October 31, 2012
Beginning Ending
Reference Date Balance Debits Credits Balance
Technology:
100717-00-0000 TECHNOLOGY
Balance Oct 1 2012 RK 01-19 10/31/12 10,379.48
------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
Total 100717-00-0000 TECHNOLOGY 10,379.48 10,379.48
------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
Total Technology 10,379.48 10,379.48
============== ============== ============== ==============

15. By-laws
1.0 GENERAL
1.1 Name
The name is the Technology Division of the American Planning Association (APA).
1.2 Objectives
The objective of the division shall be to promote the use of technology in urban, regional
and rural planning in order to improve the public policy-making processes.
1.3 Procedures
The division's parliamentary procedures shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.
2.0 MEMBERSHIP
2.1 Eligibility
All persons interested in the division's activities may join the division upon payment of the
appropriate dues.
2.2 Termination
Division membership shall be terminated upon failure to pay the annual division dues.
3.0 OFFICERS
3.1 Elections
The Executive Committee shall comprise of the Chair, the Vice-Chair, and the
Secretary/Treasurer. The Leadership Committee shall comprise of any other Section Chairs
as appointed by the Executive Committee. The terms of office shall be two years. Division
officers shall hold no other elected positions within APA. Elections shall be held every other
winter, with new offices taken at the beginning of the Spring National Conference.
3.2 Chair
The Chair shall (1) preside over all division meetings, (2) prepare an annual report and
budget for approval by the Executive Committee, (3) develop a long-range plan, (4) appoint
Section Chairs and committees, (5) assess the need for research, public and private sector
relations, and contacts with related organizations, (6) serve on the Divisions Council, and (7)
be responsible for complying with the requirements specified in the APA Corporate By-laws.
3.3 Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair shall assist the Chair and coordinate committee activities. In the event of the
absence or resignation of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall become the Chair.
3.4 Secretary / Treasurer
The Secretary / Treasurer shall (1) receive and disburse division funds, (2) maintain financial
records that can be audited, (3) prepare an annual financial report that shall be sent to APA,
and (4) assure that all required filings are sent to APA.
3.5 Successions

16. All vacant positions shall be filled by the Executive Committee.
3.6 Nominations
The Chair shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of three or more division
members. The Chair shall not serve on the Nominating committee. At least one person shall
be nominated for each office. Additional candidates may be nominated by sending a
statement of interest to the Nominating Committee. Members of the Nominating
Committee shall not be eligible to run for office. The Nominating Committee on the
following schedule shall conduct elections: nominations by November 1, ballots by February
28, and tally by March 15. All voting shall be by online survey tools administered by the
Nominating Committee. Validity of online votes shall be confirmed by checking to see if the
emails and/or registrants are on the division’s current membership list, and that no one
votes more than once. Election results shall be based on a plurality of the valid ballots
received.
3.7 Appointed Section Chair Positions
The Executive Committee shall appoint Section Chairs and set their terms, as needed, to the
following positions: GIS Chair, Social Networking & New Technology Chair, and Conference
Chair.
A description of each Section Chair’s responsibilities is as follows:
GIS Chair
Responsible for spreading awareness about the application of GIS and mashups.
Social Networking & New Technology Chair
Responsible for spreading awareness about the application of participatory and handheld
technologies.
Conference Chair
Responsible for representation at the National Conference, and coordinating, applying for and
managing the two by-rights sessions. The division will reimburse the registration costs for this
chair (Student and new professional members only). Additionally, responsible for increasing
membership and fostering mentorship, and monitoring the membership roster each time it is
provided by APA, and contacting expired or cancelled members.
5.0 FINANCES
5.1 Dues
The division dues are $25 per year for persons who are APA members, $40 for persons who
are not APA members, and $10 for student and new professional members. The Executive
Committee, with APA Board approval, shall determine the amounts. Dues are collected by
the APA and may be held by APA or rebated quarterly.
5.2 Non-Dues Receipts
Subject to approval by the Executive Committee and by APA, the division may accept
contributions, donations and grants. The Executive Committee may establish fees for
publications and services to be offered to non-members, or as special services to members.

17. 5.3 Contracts
The division may not enter into agreements or contracts with organizations outside of the
APA, without the explicit knowledge of and prior approval by APA.
6.0 PUBLICATIONS
6.1 Newsletter
A newsletter - blog or PDF, or comparable publication shall be distributed to the division
members quarterly, or as determined by the Executive Leadership. For this purpose, the
Executive Committee shall appoint editor(s) who will be responsible for updating the
newsletter group blog, including addressing any technical issues; coordinating with APA to
update the APA-hosted webpages; and publishing quarterly (optional) newsletter PDFs,
including soliciting and editing articles, and newsletter production and distribution.
6.2 Identification
Division publications shall be identified with their full names as "a division of the American
Planning Association (APA)", and with the uniform logotype of APA.
6.3 Filing with APA
At least one copy of each publication shall be filed with APA.
7.0 POLICY
7.1 Approval
No member shall represent the division or APA on matters of policy without first obtaining
the written approval of the Executive Committee and APA.
8.0 AMMENDMENT
8.1 Adoption
The By-laws may be amended by the plurality of votes received. The Secretary / Treasurer
shall submit all proposed amendments, as recommended by the Executive Committee. A
copy of the proposed By-laws or amendments shall be filed with APA.
Respectfully recorded,
Secretary/Treasurer