President's Message

Dear APA Members and Citizen Planners,

Thank you for the honor and opportunity to serve as your President for the upcoming 2026-27 term. Following in the footsteps of Philip Roth and many of the Presidents before us, I take on the challenge of continuing the foundational work that has been laid out but to also rekindle and advance our relationships.

Our mission through the Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association is to be advocates for good planning by making great communities. APA-Indiana promotes vision and leadership that fosters better planning in Indiana by building public and political support for sound planning and providing its members with the tools and support that advance planning. We are dedicated to fostering growth, sharing knowledge, and advocating for the interests of planning professionals and affiliated organizations. Strategically over the next few years we are aiming to strategize 4 key areas:

• Advance the Profession
  • This will have an opportunity to be accomplished through continuing the education of the various planners that partake in the public process so that all have a better understanding of proper procedure and best practices. While education of new and existing members is a benefit, there is significant value to expanding opportunities with primary education institutions along with further connection with colleges and universities that have planning or adjacent curriculum that produces the very planners that service Hoosier communities.
• Continue and Advance Board Development and Governance
  • By better equipping and onboarding new and returning board members to advance in their roles within the organization as well as to establish and include new leaders to explore the roles and opportunities to become a part of the various committees and leadership positions which will help advance the Chapter and profession.
• Evolve to address Inclusion and Accountability
  • As a profession that has been built on serving our communities through thoughtful design and impact of varying projects and opportunities, we must continue to listen to and adjust with our communities. What was once a small rail town may be on the verge of becoming a bustling city with new residents and assets that now require a different set of skills and understanding to better serve our residents. We shall strive to continue this

more professional, respected and understanding representation of our communities and our profession.

• Increase Membership Engagement
  • By conducting annual surveys to gauge membership on its current needs and priorities, explore the advancement and evolution of The Blue Book and while continuing to share the word on the new Discussion Board (new version of listserv). We will also seek to expand State-Only Membership in a time when costs and budgets are significantly strained and continue to expand on our regional outreach and opportunities.

I encourage you to reach out and join the board and the various committees because as only a few individuals of an entire membership we won't be able to do this alone. Through our collective effort we will be able to continue to advance the Chapter and our profession. Your knowledge and capabilities are key to our collective success.

Should you have any questions, comments or feedback you would like to share please never hesitate to reach out to me.

Thank you for making this the great organization that it is today.

Sincerely,

Ty Adley, AICP