Opportunities for ASLA Committee Service
Find your fit in guiding the Society's initiatives.

President-Elect Angela D. Dye, FASLA, will soon be considering appointments for committee service during her term as ASLA president (October 7, 2008, through September 21, 2009). To volunteer for service on one or more of the committees listed below, please contact Mary Hanson by Monday, August 4, 2008, indicating the group(s) of interest to you. A few brief comments on your interests and experience would be helpful as well, but professional commitment and the desire to contribute through ASLA committee service is all that is required.

ASLA committees support Board of Trustees-approved programmatic goals and objectives by: (1) performing specific functions, e.g., the Professional Practice Committee is charged with reviewing and providing input on ASLA alliance partners’ products, programs, and services; or (2) providing member expertise and input on issues and programs, e.g., the Government Affairs Advisory Committee provides member input on issues that affect the profession and helps determine ASLA’s legislative priorities.

Committee chairs direct the activities of the group in coordination with staff and in accordance with the board-approved Annual Operating Plan and the committee charge. Staff is responsible for coordinating the activities of committees, including committee communications, and works with the chairs to set agendas. The frequency of committee conference calls, meetings, and correspondence depends on the nature of the committee’s work. The ASLA national officers serve as Executive Committee liaisons to the committees and are available to assist the committees and committee chairs as needed. Terms of service range from one to three years and, unless otherwise specified, begin and end when the president assumes office at the conclusion of the annual meeting.

Annual Meeting Education Advisory Committee
The committee makes recommendations to staff for invited continuing education sessions and reviews, evaluates, and selects the balance of the educational content from the annual meeting call for proposals. Terms are for three years and are staggered to maintain continuity. The committee meets in Washington, D.C., early each year and by conference call as needed.

Archives and Collections Committee
The archives committee provides member expertise and works with staff on maintenance of and access to the Society's official records and archives. Terms are for one year and members are often reappointed to maintain project continuity. The committee corresponds via email and meets via conference call several times a year and holds a face-to-face meeting during the annual meeting.

Audit Committee
The Audit Committee oversees the Society’s annual financial audit process and provides independent oversight of its finances. The committee represents and reports to the Board of Trustees. Members must be chapter trustees and/or members of the Finance and Investments Committee. The Audit Committee meets in person to select an independent auditor and to review audit processes and the results reported by the independent auditor, and meets regularly via conference call.

Constitution and Bylaws Committee
The committee maintains and interprets the ASLA Constitution and Bylaws and corporate/administrative policies, advises the Board of Trustees, and assists sponsors of proposed amendments. Terms are for three years and are staggered to maintain continuity. Members may be reappointed. The committee corresponds via email and meets via conference call as frequently as business demands, which varies from year to year.

Council on Education (COE)
The council advises the Board of Trustees on issues relating to education policy, accreditation, program support, enrollments, and employment trends. Appointments are for two years and are staggered to provide continuity. Members may be reappointed. COE meets during the ASLA annual meeting and by conference call every two or three months.

Emerging Professionals Committee
The committee provides member review and input on Student, Student Affiliate, and Associate Member programs and services; promotion of the benefits of ASLA membership; and communication with and among all emerging professional members, ASLA chapters, and student chapters. Terms are for one year and members may be reappointed. The committee meets by conference call every other month and at the annual meeting.

Ethics Committee
Members must be individuals who are extremely thorough and discreet in their committee work. The committee educates members about ethics issues, receives/processes complaints, and recommends code amendments to the Board of Trustees. Appointments are for three years and staggered to ensure continuity. The committee corresponds via email, meets as needed via conference call, and holds a face-to-face meeting at the annual meeting.

Finance and Investments Committee
The Finance and Investments Committee advises the Board of Trustees on matters concerning ASLA's financial management. Members must be skilled in business practices and informed about ASLA's financial status and condition. Terms are for three years and staggered to provide continuity. Members may be reappointed. The committee meets quarterly by conference call and holds a face-to-face meeting during the annual meeting.

Government Affairs Advisory Committee
The committee provides member review and input on issues that affect the profession and helps determine ASLA's legislative priorities. Terms are for two years and members may be reappointed. The committee corresponds via email and meets monthly via conference call. Face-to-face meetings are held twice a year, during the annual meeting and at midyear in conjunction with ASLA Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. Committee members are expected to participate in Lobby Day.

Honors and Awards Advisory Committee
The committee recommends the slate of jurors for the professional awards and the student awards programs and reviews and makes recommendations for updating or altering, when necessary, all of ASLA's awards and honors programs. Terms are for two years and staggered to provide continuity. The committee meets face to face during the annual meeting and via conference call approximately four times per year.

Please Note: During their term of service, members of the Honors and Awards Advisory Committee and their firms/organizations/agencies may not be considered for the medal awards, Firm Award, or Community Service Award.

Landscape Architecture Editorial Advisory Committee (LAM)
Committee members read and review each issue of LAM to ensure compliance with editorial policies, provide the editor with monthly written or oral commentary on editorial content, and assist the staff with editorial ideas. Members serve two-year terms that are staggered to maintain continuity and may be reappointed. The committee meets monthly by conference call and holds a half-day, face-to-face meeting during the annual meeting.

Landscape Architecture Registration Examination (LARE) Prep Committee
The committee reviews requests for proposal and proposals for web-based publications on LARE Prep, monitors ASLA services related to preparation for the LARE, and assists ASLA chapters in promoting the benefits of licensure and offering LARE review workshops. Appointments are for one year and members may be reappointed. The committee corresponds by email, meets by conference call three to four times a year, and meets face to face at the annual meeting.

Leadership Development Committee
Committee members develop, implement, and monitor plans to identify potential and emerging leaders with attention to diversity of practice type, gender, and ethnicity. They also develop, implement, and monitor plans to encourage participation and guide development through the leadership ladder of ASLA. Appointments are for one year and members may be reappointed. The committee meets via conference call three to four times a year.

Licensure Committee
The committee provides member review and input on current and developing licensure advocacy materials and national and chapter outreach efforts. Terms are for two years and are staggered. Members may be reappointed. The committee corresponds via email, meets monthly via conference call, and holds a face-to-face meeting during the annual meeting (an additional meeting may be called during the year if required).

Member Services Committee
Committee members advise the staff and leadership on member recruitment and retention efforts; new programs and services for ASLA members and chapters; and professional membership qualifications, admission procedures, and privileges. Appointments are for one year and members may be reappointed. The committee meets monthly by conference call and holds a face-to-face meeting during the annual meeting.

Policy Committee
The committee formulates ASLA policy on matters of professional interest and concern and regularly reviews and updates ASLA public policy statements. Terms are for two years and are staggered to maintain continuity. Members may be reappointed. The committee meets by conference call every other month and in person during the annual meeting. There is a significant amount of work conducted via Internet research and email correspondence.

Professional Practice Committee (PPC)
The Professional Practice Committee provides member review and input on specific practice needs and on ASLA products, programs, and services. Appointments are for one year and members may be reappointed. PPC meets monthly by conference call and holds a face-to-face meeting during the ASLA annual meeting. PPC subgroups include specifications review, standard form contract development, construction administration, and professional practice academics. Subgroups conduct a significant amount of work via email and by conference call.

Public Practice Advisory Committee
Committee members advise the leadership and staff on strategies and programs to increase public practitioners’ interest and participation in ASLA and to facilitate communication among all practitioners in the public sector. Appointments are for one year and members may be reappointed. The committee meets monthly by conference call and during the annual meeting.

Public Relations Advisory Committee
The public relations committee advises staff on development, implementation, and evaluation of media relations strategies, publicity materials, and outreach activities; helps identify members with expertise in various issue and practice areas to represent the profession to the media; and provides member review and input on ASLA’s web resources and electronic communications. Terms are for one year and members may be reappointed. The committee meets quarterly by conference call and during the annual meeting.

Tellers Committee
Members of the Tellers Committee must be Full Members of the Society residing near ASLA national headquarters in Washington, D.C. The committee tallies/verifies annual election and other confidential ballots of the Society's professional membership. Appointments are for one year and members may be reappointed. The committee is usually convened only once a year, in June, to review and verify the results of the annual election for ASLA president-elect.

Please respond by Monday, August 4, 2008, to mhanson@asla.org.