ASLA National Report
By Glen Schmidt, FASLA, National Trustee

The board of Trustees met on May 20-21, 2011 in Washington, DC. The following is a summary of discussions and decisions. Please contact me if you have any questions:

1. Nancy Somerville, Program and Operations Report:

• Maintaining conservative approach but were able to add staff positions for Government Affairs and Public Relations. Board of Trustees and ExCom funding, and added Public Awareness Summit.
• YTD 2011 – EXPO and AM sponsorships at 74% of goal, LAM 77% of goal.
• $500K has been returned to reserves.
• Professional awards consistently above 2007-08 levels.
• Business Quarterly: signs of improving conditions in some regions and markets.
• Membership 3.8% down in 2010, 14% since 2008.
• LA Magazine: News-stand sales went from 1,000 to 1,500. Only feedback was on type face which was considered small. Some adjustments were made but not all type.

2. Strategic Objectives:

After surveys, visibility and public awareness, government affairs and licensure are highest priorities of ASLA Board of Trustees and Presidents Council.

3. Financial:

11% of revenue comes from Annual Meeting. Long term reserve at $3.4 million dollars.

4. Sustainable Sites Initiative:

Accreditation through 2012. Expect to make changes based on the pilot program. Final version will go out and obtain comments before finalizing document. Final certification open enrollment expected in 2013. 159 pilot projects are still in program. First certifications in the summer or fall of 2011. 8 projects submitted all or part of the documentation.

5. Public Awareness Outreach and Advocacy:

2010 ASLA website 594,000 unique visitors, 4.7 million page views. The Dirt top 10 blog regarding design, 780,000 page views. National LA Month activities in 48 chapters. Staff and committees are planning public awareness event on August 17, 2011. LA Month 2012 - rededicate parks. Advocacy Summit is taking place this summer with San Diego represented by Brooke Pietz.

6. Advocacy / Government Affairs:

Florida law was challenged. Sunset review California. Massachusetts working toward full practice act.

7. Policy Amendments:

Revisions to the Administration, Document Retention, and Conflict of Interest Policies were approved.

8. Honors and Awards:

Honors and awards were voted on by the Board of Trustees, as well as Vice Presidential candidates.

9. ASLA Fund:

?SITES Funding, case studies for PR on web, prints storage project on hold.

10. The following individuals addressed the Board of Trustees:

Patrick Natale, Executive Director of ASCE. Jeffrey Potter, AIA President Elect. Ian Wasson, CLARB President. Barbara Deutsch, ASLA Executive Director LAF.

11. Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD)

Julia Dent is the contact for the issue to coordinate between all chapters and the Legislation Committee.

12. Board of Trustees Vote:

The Board of Trustees voted on the following issues regarding Membership Qualifications:

International Membership

In addressing international membership, the Member Services Committee recommended amending the bylaws to read: “International Members shall be landscape architects who earned a degree in landscape architecture, or are recognized by a government entity to practice landscape architecture, outside North America.” This change clarifies the previous language, which read only “residing outside the limits of the Society,” and allows for the membership status to remain intact despite place of residence. The committee further proposed opening the honor and privilege of Fellows eligibility to International Members and allowing those honored as such to use the “FASLA” designation. The Board of Trustees voted to accept both the Membership Services Committee recommendations.

Full Membership Criteria Review

The board endorsed the Licensure Committee’s recommendation that current criteria be maintained to ensure a diverse and open organization and to remain true to the Society’s stated purpose: “The purpose of the Society shall be the advancement of knowledge, education, and skill in the art and science of landscape architecture as an instrument of service in the public welfare. To this end the Society shall promote the profession of landscape architecture and advance the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship.” In recognition of the successful campaign to have licensure laws in all 50 states, the board also accepted the committee’s recommendation that ASLA identify a universal designation for licensure, similar to engineering’s PE designation. The board instructed staff to work with CLARB and come back with a recommendation at its fall annual meeting.

If you have any questions or would like additional information please contact Glen Schmidt at gschmidt@schmidtdesign.com.