APA Ambassadors
Give Back to Your Community
APA Ambassadors are community volunteers who are passionate about the planning profession and who firmly believe in the principles of diversity in planning. The Ambassador Program is a volunteer activity conducted by members in good standing within the American Planning Association. The goal of the program is to increase the awareness and understanding of the power and value that the planning profession brings to communities, with a particular emphasis placed on reaching audiences of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. APA Ambassadors range from students to mid-career professionals to Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners. All are welcome.
Ambassadors conduct activities throughout the year with an organization or community partner of their choice. Ambassadors have the flexibility to choose how to deliver their activities. The activity should include a conversation about the basic concepts of planning and the planning profession, the benefits and value of APA, and how those concepts relate to your community at a personal level. Activities can take place at any venue that is suitable for the Ambassador's comfort zone: an elementary, middle or high school; a university; a community fair or community forum; a general plan update or zone change, etc. Check out our blogs below for more ideas!
Program benefits
- Inspire the next generation of planners
- Becoming an agent of change
- Experience first-hand how to apply aspirational principles from the AICP code of ethics
- Earn pro bono AICP Certification Maintenance Credits
- An excellent addition to your resume backed by the premier association of the planning field: APA
- Enhance your professional network
- Be recognized by APA National and state chapters
Share Your 2021 Ambassador Activities
Your submitted activities will be shared in the APA blog portal and on social media using #APAAmbassadors.
Ambassador Blog Posts
Florida State University students organized a Box Cities event for the APA Ambassador program. Photo courtesy Yes Segura.