Leadership & Governance
PPN (Professional Practice Network) Guidelines
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 Supporting ASLA programs and strategic objectives and providing input 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
Community Design
Design-Build
Digital Technology
Ecology and Restoration
Education and Practice
Environmental Justice
Healthcare and Therapeutic Design
Historic Preservation
International Practice
Landscape/Land Use Planning
Parks and Recreation
Planting Design
Residential Landscape Architecture
Sustainable Design and Development
Transportation
Urban Design
Water Conservation
Women in Landscape Architecture
Membership
104. ASLA PPNs shall be composed of professional, affiliate, associate, corporate, 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 issues, programs, and needs relating to specialized areas of practice.
203. The Council shall meet each year during the annual meeting of the Society and via quarterly conference calls, at times determined by the Council chair, or based on the accumulation of business demands.
204. The ASLA vice president of professional practice shall serve as liaisons between the Council and the ASLA Executive Committee.
205. The ASLA EVP shall designate staff to serve as staff executives for the Council.
Council Chairs
206. 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.
207. Council chairs shall provide leadership, guidance, and direction for the Council and the PPNs and shall:
207.1 Direct Council activity, in coordination with staff, consistent with the board-approved Annual Operating Plan and these Guidelines.
207.2 Work with staff to coordinate Council and other PPN activities, including communications.
207.3 Work with staff to set agendas for and preside at Council meetings.
207.4 Provide input on programs and priorities related to the PPNs through the vice president of professional practice and staff executives.
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 two (2) 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. In approving or disapproving establishment of a PPN, the Executive Committee may take into consideration the ability of the Society to provide adequate staff and financial support to meet the Standards of Member Service defined in 306.
PPN Chairs
303. PPN chairs shall be appointed by the ASLA president for terms of two (2) year and may be reappointed after rotation out of the position for at least one term. 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 officer positions within the PPN, responsible for PPN activities, such as social media, PPN communications, annual meeting activities, and online learning, and make the appointments thereto, and delegate duties and responsibilities thereto with approval by ASLA staff.
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 Provide input on programs and priorities related to the PPNs through the vice president of professional practice and staff executives.
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 Opportunities for networking with the PPN 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; 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, and other documents and resources posted by the PPN.
306.4 Blog posts to The Field, which serves as an online newsletter.
306.5 Opinions will be collected via survey, up to twice a year, which may inform PPN activities.
306.6 Communications prepared by the PPN and distributed via social media, email, or other online sources, that provide timely information on the activities of the PPN and its members.
Optional Project/Service Opportunities
307. In addition to the Standards of Member Service outlined above, PPNs may undertake or be asked to assist with additional activities, including but not limited to:
307.1 Presenting annual meeting education sessions, field sessions, and/or EXPO tours. (Such program proposals are subject to submission deadlines and selection by the ASLA Annual Meeting Education Advisory Committee.)
307.2 Hosting at least one Online Learning presentation during the year, with coordination of ASLA staff. Duties include suggesting and recruiting speakers and serving as moderator for the presentation.
307.3 Authoring or reviewing LATIS (Landscape Architecture Technical Information Series) publications.
307.4 Serving as a subject matter expert to support ASLA programs, including government affairs and public relations.
307.5 Developing additional network communications, surveys, projects, and/or publications in alignment with ASLA policies and priorities and in coordination with ASLA staff.
307.6 Serving as a session host during education sessions at the ASLA annual meeting.
Funds and Expense Reimbursement
308. PPN and Council chairs and members are not authorized to commit ASLA funds. All expenses must be pre-authorized by and submitted through staff executives to be eligible for reimbursement.
Alignment with ASLA Governing Documents and Policies
309. In their volunteer roles for the Society, PPN and Council chairs and members shall: support the Society’s mission, vision, strategic objectives, and priority issues; uphold the ASLA values and culture; and comply with ASLA Standards of Conduct.
Disbandment, Sunset, or Reorganization 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 of 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 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. Members of the disbanded PPN will be given the opportunity to select an alternative PPN. The PPN Council may recommend sunset or reorganization of a PPN when appropriate in response to changes in the specialized area of practice represented by the PPN.
312. PPNs may voluntarily rename the PPN by affirmative vote by two-thirds of the members casting a ballot within a voting period of not less than thirty (30) days. Renaming shall be effective on the date specified by those PPN members.
Section 4. Amendments
401. The ASLA Executive Committee may amend these Guidelines by an affirmative vote by a majority of the ASLA Executive Committee present and voting. The PPN Council may sponsor amendments to these Guidelines. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to ASLA staff 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; R2013; R2018