Lead the future of planning in our Central Coast communities! The Central Coast Section of the American Planning Association, California Chapter (APACA) is soliciting candidates from within its membership to run for positions on the Section’s Executive Board of Directors.

What is the Central Coast Section of APA California?

The Central Coast Section is a professional organization for planning, design, and development professionals that promotes professional development, continuing education, planning-related events, and awareness of planning issues to its membership and the public. More information is available on the About Us webpage.

What does the Central Coast Section’s Executive Board Do?

Members of our Executive Board of Directors oversee exciting professional development activities throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, throughout the State of California, and nationally. Getting involved is a great way to connect with other professionals in your field and contribute to the quality of your profession.

Open Positions for the 2024 Election

Executive Board of Directors’ positions will be open and Board Members for each position will be elected by the membership in November 2024. Positions to be included in the 2024 election are:

  • Professional Development Officer
  • Finance Officer-Elect
  • Public Information Officer
  • Awards and Events Officer
  • Young and Emerging Planners (YEP) Officers (all three counties)
  • Diversity, Equity, and Membership Officer (remaining term to finish – 2025; the 2025 elections would be for a new two-year term to begin)

Elected Board Members will begin their terms on January 1, 2025. Each of the above offices serves a term of two (2) years. The duties for these positions are detailed in the California Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Central Coast Section Bylaws.

Where can I learn about the Board roles of the Central Coast Section?

The duties for these positions are detailed in the California Chapter of the American Planning Association’s Central Coast Section Bylaws. Click here to review the Central Coast Section’s Bylaws

If you would like to obtain more information regarding these open positions or have questions that you would like to ask prior to submitting your candidate statement, please contact the Election Committee using the below contact information:

Who can be a candidate?

If you are a current APA member, placing your name on the ballot is easy:

  1. Click the link to Online Candidate Statement Form (Only available during Call for Candidates).
  2. Each candidate will be asked to provide a brief (two-paragraph maximum) candidate statement describing your relevant experience and why you are interested in the position as well as your name. Contact information will also be requested; however, this information will not be published as part of the election process.
  3. Once submitted, the Central Coast Section’s Election Committee will ensure that your information is made available for the Central Coast Section election.
  4. Questions or problems with submission should be sent to any of the Election Committee members by email.

Are there benefits to being on the Central Coast Board?  YES!

  1. Executive Board Members that are also AICP Members get to log 8 hours of self-reporting hours for their CM Credits
  2. Executive Board Members get a once-a-year $100 stipend for professional development/APA Events/training.
  3. Many Executive Board Members get professional accolades and/or credit by their employer by serving on a professional board.
  4. Executive Board Members are the first to know about events in the Central Coast Section
  5. And finally, we need passionate, responsible professionals on our Board that are dedicated to serving our Central Coast APACA Section so that our APA members can have events, training, and networking opportunities every year.

Election Schedule

  • October 17, 2024 to November 11, 2024 | Call for Candidate Statements |Submit your candidate statement online through the Online Candidate Statement Form. Additional details are below for interested candidates.
  • November 11, 2024 | Candidate Statements Due |All statements must be submitted by the linked Google Form no later than November 11, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
  • November 12, 2024 thru December 9, 2024 | Election of Candidates |Candidate Statements Published and Polls Opened to Membership.
    • Online voting will be made available during the election periods, and online ballots will be due no later than December 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
  • December 10-13, 2024 | Election Results Certification |APA Central Coast Section’s Board of Directors certifies election
  • Between December 13, 2024 and December 31, 2024 |Election Results Announced | APA Central Coast Section’s Board of Director announces results.