Section 1. Introduction and Overview
Purpose
101. The profession of landscape architecture is increasingly complex. While many practitioners remain generalists, others by choice, opportunity, or necessity focus on specialized areas of the profession. This diversity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the American Society of Landscape Architects (hereinafter referred to as ASLA or the Society). The purpose of this program shall be the cultivation of an effective nexus between the specialized resources of the Professional Practice Networks (PPNs) and the general resources of the Society for the benefit of the profession as a whole.
Mission
102. The mission of the ASLA PPNs shall be to address the needs and concerns of landscape architects involved in specialized areas of practice and support the profession of landscape architecture by:
102.1 Providing an opportunity for meaningful participation in ASLA activities for those involved in specialized areas of practice.
102.2 Creating a network of knowledgeable landscape architects in specialized areas of practice.
102.3 Collecting, compiling, advancing, and disseminating state-of-the-art information and research related to specialized areas of practice.
102.4 Providing guidance and direction to the ASLA Board of Trustees on policy issues relating to specialized areas of practice.
102.5 Communicating and collaborating with related groups in specialized areas of practice.
Represented Areas of Specialized Practice
103. The areas of specialized landscape architecture practice currently represented by ASLA PPNs include:
Campus Planning and Design
Children's Outdoor Environments
Design-Build
Digital Technology
Healthcare and Therapeutic Design
Historic Preservation
Housing and Community Design
International Practice
Landscape Architecture and Transportation
Landscape/Land Use Planning
Parks and Recreation
Planting Design
Reclamation and Restoration
Residential Landscape Architecture
Sustainable Design and Development
Urban Design
Water Conservation
Women in Landscape Architecture
Membership
104. ASLA PPNs shall be composed of professional, affiliate, associate, and student members of the Society who have an interest in one or more defined areas of specialized landscape architecture practice. ASLA members shall be entitled to one complimentary PPN membership and may join additional PPNs for an annual fee per network joined. The ASLA Executive Committee shall establish annual fees.
105. PPNs shall maintain a minimum strength of seventy-five (75) members.
Section 2. PPN Council
201. There shall be a Council of Professional Practice Networks (Council) composed of the Council chairs (sitting, designated, and immediate past) and the chairs of the individual PPNs (PPN chairs).
202. The Council shall represent the PPNs organizationally and programmatically within ASLA and shall:
202.1 Consider matters of interest and concern to the PPNs as a whole.
202.2 Monitor PPN achievements and challenges in maintaining active and continuous leadership and in meeting member expectations under the Standards of Member Service described in Section 306.
202.3 Propose new PPN program activities and member services and recommend discontinuation of outdated or unsuccessful program activities and member services.
202.4 Advise the Society on new developments and changing needs in specialized areas of practice and on legislation affecting specialized areas of practice.
203. The Council shall meet each year during the annual meeting of the Society and may meet via conference call as often as the accumulation of business demands at times determined by the Council chair.
204. The ASLA vice president and managing director for professional practice shall serve as liaisons between the Council and the ASLA Executive Committee.
Council Chairs
205. Council chairs shall be appointed by the ASLA president for terms of three (3) years to include: one (1) year as Council chair designate, one (1) year as Council chair, and one (1) year as immediate past Council chair. Terms shall begin and end when the ASLA president is installed at the conclusion of the annual meeting. Council chairs may serve concurrently as PPN chairs.
206. Council chairs shall provide leadership, guidance, and direction for the Council and the PPNs and shall:
206.1 Direct Council activity, in coordination with staff, consistent with the board-approved Annual Operating Plan and these Guidelines.
206.2 Work with staff to coordinate Council and other PPN activities, including communications.
206.3 Work with staff to set agendas for and preside at Council meetings.
206.4 Discuss program enhancement ideas with staff and the vice president for professional practice; and introduce such ideas through normal channels outlined in the program and budget development calendar included in the ASLA Administrative Policy on Finance and Investments.
Section 3. PPNs
Establishment of a PPN
301. Any group of seventy-five (75) individuals or more representing an area of specialized landscape architecture practice may petition the ASLA Executive Committee for establishment of an ASLA PPN. Such petition shall include:
301.1 A statement signed, or attested to via return email, by not less than seventy-five (75) founding members that: (a) defines the specialized area of landscape architecture practice and professional goals to be served by the proposed PPN; and (b) pledges to maintain a minimum strength of seventy-five (75) members and meet the Standards of Member Service described in Section 306.
301.2 A statement by the proposed chair of the new PPN confirming a willingness to serve in that post for at least one (1) year.
301.3 A statement of opinion on establishment of the proposed new PPN by the Council chair.
302. The PPN shall be established on an affirmative vote by a majority of the ASLA Executive Committee present and voting.
PPN Chairs
303. PPN chairs shall be appointed by the ASLA president for terms of one (1) year and may be reappointed. Terms shall begin and end when the ASLA president is installed at the conclusion of the annual meeting.
304. PPN chairs may establish other specific positions within the PPN such as secretary, treasurer, newsletter editor, or project/service chair, make the appointments thereto, and delegate duties and responsibilities thereto.
305. PPN chairs shall uphold the PPN mission as defined under Section 102 and shall:
305.1 Direct PPN activity, in coordination with staff, consistent with the board-approved Annual Operating Plan and these Guidelines.
305.2 Work with staff to coordinate PPN activities, including communications.
305.3 Work with staff to set agendas for and preside at PPN meetings.
305.4 Discuss program enhancement ideas with staff and the Council chair(s); and introduce such ideas through normal channels outlined in the program and budget development calendar included in the ASLA Administrative Policy on Finance and Investments.
305.5 Serve as a member of the PPN Council (see Section 2).
Standards of Member Service
306. Standards of Member Service for all PPNs shall include:
306.1 An annual meeting during the ASLA annual meeting.
306.2 A public webpage hosted by the Society that includes, but is not limited to: an introductory “front page” prepared by the PPN that defines the specialized area of landscape architecture practice and professional goals served by the PPN, summarizes current PPN projects and activities, and provides key contact information; an electronic newsletter and other e-communications prepared by the PPN that provide timely information on the activities of the PPN and its members; and links to related organizations and other sites of interest as appropriate.
306.3 An interactive, online community hosted by the Society and limited to PPN members that includes, but is not limited to: a discussion forum; a PPN membership roster maintained by the staff; proceedings, abstracts, publications, research papers, and other documents and resources posted by the PPN.
Optional Project/Service Opportunities
307. In addition to the Standards of Member Service outlined above, PPNs may undertake additional activities. Specific suggestions include, but are not be limited to:
307.1 Presenting annual meeting education sessions, field sessions, and/or tours. (Such program proposals are subject to submission deadlines and selection by the ASLA Annual Meeting Education Advisory Committee.)
307.2 Developing abstracts from education sessions, workshops, symposia, or seminars.
307.3 Conducting peer review of annual meeting education session proposals.
307.4 Authoring LATIS (Landscape Architecture Technical Information Series) publications.
307.5 Providing government affairs/public relations expert testimony/commentary.
307.6 Developing additional network communications, surveys, and/or publications.
307.7 Drafting articles for LAND Online and Landscape Architecture magazine.
Expense Reimbursement
308. All expenses must be pre-authorized by and submitted through the managing director for professional practice to be eligible for reimbursement.
Public Statements
309. PPNs may issue public statements in the name of the PPN. However, such PPN statements shall not be contrary in any way to the public policies of the Society as established by the Board of Trustees. No PPN shall issue a public statement purporting to have the approval of the Society without first obtaining the written consent of the executive vice president of the Society, except in the case of a direct quote from an officially adopted and published public policy of the Society.
Disbandment of a PPN
310. PPNs may voluntarily disband by an affirmative vote by two-thirds (2/3) of the members casting a ballot within a voting period of not less than thirty (30) days. Voluntary disbandment shall be effective on the date specified by those PPN members.
311. PPNs may be disbanded by an affirmative vote by a majority of the ASLA Executive Committee present and voting for failure to maintain minimum membership strength and effective leadership; failure to meet the Standards of Member Service or any other provision of these Guidelines; failure to uphold the ASLA Constitution and Bylaws, Public Policies, Administrative Policies, and Codes of Professional and Environmental Ethics; or for other due cause: provided the PPN is duly notified of the charges against it, given a fair hearing of the charges, and a fair opportunity to respond. Disbandment by an affirmative vote by a majority of the ASLA Executive Committee present and voting shall become effective on the date specified by the ASLA Executive Committee.
Section 4. Amendments
401. Council chairs and ASLA Executive Committee officers may sponsor amendments to these Guidelines. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Council in writing for a review and comment period of not less than seven (7) days. At the close of the comment period and after consideration of the comments received, the ASLA Executive Committee shall vote on the proposed amendment(s). An affirmative vote by a majority of the ASLA Executive Committee present and voting shall be required for adoption.
ASLA PPN Guidelines: 1982; R2003; R2008
