We all know that our usual public meetings aren’t attracting large portions of our populations, and that many of the people we most want to hear from are more likely to use email and web sites than to show up for a council meeting. But with all the websites and whiz-bang online tools out there, what should we be doing? We will explore several different online public participation techniques, from surveying to idea prioritizing and ongoing project management. We will give a real-time demonstration of how several methods and online tools work, and we will spend a little time with the developer of one of these tools to discuss the challenges and protections needed to foster effective online participation.

This moderated panel discussion will examine situations common to private consultants (in contexts that also often include public sector planners) from a variety of perspectives, taking into consideration several variables. Audience members will also be invited to submit their ethical questions electronically for the panel to discuss. This session will familiarize attendees with the standards of ethical behavior according to the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and the nuances of applying the Code appropriately and responsibly.

This presentation will explore the local issues related to LEED ND and how the rating system approaches and measures initiatives to reduce regional impact of these issues. A general overview of the LEED ND system including prerequisites and their impact on project site selection will be presented. The session will discuss specific issues addressed by LEED ND and how individual credits relate to the issues outlined.

Please join us for a holiday party hosted by the APA-NJ Young Planners Group and the Rutgers Association of Policy and Planning Students

Charles Brown, Senior Researcher at the Voorhees Transportation Center will lead a discussion on the need to write more people of color into the world of cycling and providing underserved communities with active transportation choices. Karyn Williams, co-founder of Velo City, and Tiffany Robinson, Chair of the APA-NJ's Ethnic & Cultural Diversity Committee, will discuss their experiences in teaching minority youth in underserved communities about the community planning process and empowering them with the skills needed to discuss urban issues.