Chapter Initiative Program Submission Deadline Change-October 26, 2007

As a follow-up to the December feature article on the Chapter Initiative Program (CIP), the CIP task force and staff are pleased to announce a submission deadline change to October 26, 2007. This additional time is a short-term solution for providing the chapters with the additional guidance and support that they requested at the 2006 Chapter Presidents Council meeting in Minneapolis.

The planting plan for the courtyard at the University of Wisconsin’s Agriculture Hall. The rehabilitation of the courtyard was partially funded with a CIP grant. (Click the image to downlaod a .PDF of the planting plan.)

 
The CIP task force regrouped in early January 2007 to discuss the CPC feedback from Minneapolis. In Minneapolis, the chapters were asked to answer a survey on the challenges faced overall as well as challenges faced in applying for CIPs. The chapters were asked to fill out the survey in light of the resources currently available to them at the national level and within their own chapters. The survey results are summarized below:

Regardless of size, chapters indicate staffing, licensure, and member participation as the key challenges facing them. These results explain the success of the advocacy grant program over the past two years as well as point to the key obstacle to applying for CIPs—lack of manpower. Small and medium chapters note that public relations activities are not a challenge due to the support provided by the chapter public relations coordinator at the national level, while large chapters indicate public relations as a challenge, noting that there are too many opportunities to tackle due to increased visibility of the profession and issues in their states.
 
In the medium term, this additional time will allow the task force and staff to offer the support and guidance needed to give this program a fair chance of succeeding. This support and guidance includes:

• Additional highlighting of the program in LAND Online and Chapter Hot Topic alerts
• Redefinition of the program guidelines/criteria such as the matching funds by chapter size
• Development of a list of "hot issue" items as they relate to potential projects for chapters to initiate
• Review of guidelines and the overall program at both CPC meetings this year
• Providing submitting chapters a review period for draft proposals and constructive comments
• Treating program as an awards/recognition program, especially with larger chapters
• Including disaster relief/recovery as "alternative" option for program (for those who qualify)

This comprehensive action plan for 2007 provides a safety net for the CIP and ensures that last year was not an outlier. This plan also reinforces ASLA’s commitment to supporting the chapters in their respective initiatives while ensuring that ASLA’s resources are being maximized. The task force feels confident that at the end of 2007, it will be in a better position to reevaluate the program based on the results from this action plan, the 2007 submissions, and the CPC feedback from both the 2007 midyear and annual meetings.

Click here to download the 2007 guidelines and application form. For more information, please contact Meetings and Special Programs Director Gloria Garcia at ggarcia@asla.org.