Thursday, September 29, 2011

Oct 18 Program: A Conversation with Bing Thom

OCTOBER EVENT LISTING
2011 NCPC Speaker Series: A Conversation with Bing Thom



NCPC’s Speaker Series continues with Canadian architect Bing Thom, designer of DC’s new Arena Stage. Mr. Thom will explore the legacy of mid-century Modernism in Washington and how we can preserve the recent past while embracing the future. This event is presented in partnership with the Embassy of Canada. A reception immediately follows the talk.
VIDEO

WHEN

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm
WHERE

The Embassy of Canada
501 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Map it |Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter
DETAILS

NCPC Event Listing | Event Flyer (flyer attached)
RSVP

Attendance is free and open to the public. RSVP required.

CREDIT
AICP CM | 1.5 (pending)
Hosted by the National Capital Planning Commission

Rail~Volution 2011: Call for volunteers

Rail~Volution is coming and we need your help!

Rail~Volution DC, the nation’s premier conference on livable communities, will be held in Washington, DC on October 16-19. Youcan play a critical part in making Rail~Volution DC a success.
Sign up today to serve as a Rail~Volution volunteer.

Volunteers are needed for each day of the conference and on Saturday, October 15th to assist with conference setup. You can volunteer for just a couple hours, for a full day, or more – it’s up to you. A limited number of full and partial scholarships may be available for volunteers who can serve at least 8 hours.

When: Saturday October 15 – Wednesday October 19. The times volunteers are needed vary but are generally 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Saturday 10/15, 7 AM – 9pm on Sunday 10/16, and 8am to 6pm on Monday, 10/17, Tuesday, 10/18, and Wednesday, 10/19. You can volunteer on any or all of these days for “shifts” of at least two hours. You can take as many shifts as you can handle.

Where: Most volunteer activities will be at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park hotel. Some volunteers will be needed at other conference-related events off-site.

What: Volunteer needs include assisting with conference set-up, staffing the welcome reception and registration desk, handing out materials to registrants, and helping guests find conference activities.

Sign up to volunteer for Rail~Volution DC by sending an email to railvolution2011@gmail.com and writing "Volunteer" in the subject line. If possible, please include the day(s) and times you are available. A volunteer orientation session will be held closer to the conference date to go over assignments and responsibilities.

Get on board Rail~Volution DC today!

Job Oppty: Hampton City Planner Positions

Two Hampton City Planner positions are posted through October 10, 2011.  For details and the online application, visit www.hampton.gov/hire .

PlanVirginia Conference, Newport News - October 9-11, 2011

"2011 Commonwealth Land Use and Zoning Conference
http://www.planvirginia.com/

This is a two day conference held annually. The Commonwealth Land Use and Zoning Conference features numerous exceptional and timely learning opportunities. These important opportunities will be clustered by topic and subject matter. The "clusters of learning topics" include needed cutting edge "nuts and bolts" offerings relating to the current needs of citizen planners, locality staff and citizens alike. As an attendee you will have opportunities to choose from among a list of over a dozen and a half sessions, each led by an excellent presenter who is a professional in the subject field. AICP Continuing Education credits are available.

The 2011 Commonwealth Land Use and Zoning Conference will offer trainings and many opportunities for networking with peers.

CLICK HERE to view the full conference agenda or CLICK HERE to register now!"

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Job Oppty: Development Review Specialist

Development Review Specialist CS-13 -  Job ID number 18429.  This 
position is open to the Public /Open until filled.  First screening  
date is October 11.  This is a  13 months term position.

For full description, see
https://erecruit.dc.gov/psp/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=18429&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1

Note: We are hoping to fill this position ASAP. Please forward widely.

Dan Emerine, CNU-Accredited
Development Review Specialist | DC Office of Planning 1100 4th Street SW | Suite E650 | Washington DC 20024
Tel: 202-442-8812 |  Fax: 202-442-7638
http://planning.dc.gov

Visit the DC Office of Planning on Facebook and on Twitter @OPinDC


Join Mayor Gray's One City * One Hire - 10,000 Jobs Campaign "Putting District Residents Back to Work - One Hire at a Time"
Learn more at http://onecityonehire.org

Internship: Mayor's Institute on City Design

JOB DESCRIPTION FOR AN INTERN POSITION
THE MAYORS INSTITUTE ON CITY DESIGN

The Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD) is a National Endowment for the Arts leadership initiative in Partnership with the American Architectural Foundation and the United States Conference of Mayors.
Since 1986, the MICD has helped transform communities through design by preparing mayors to be the chief urban designers of their cities. MICD achieves its mission by organizing sessions where mayors engage leading design experts to find solutions to the most critical urban design challenges facing their cities.
MICD is currently seeking an Intern to develop content for the MICD Archive Project. The intern will be responsible for coding, categorizing and researching the 800+ MICD case studies that have been presented by mayors over the program’s 25-year history.

The position will be housed at the American Architectural Foundation in Washington DC, and will be compensated on an hourly basis. The candidate should be a student or recent graduate of architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, or a similar discipline. Library science, archive or record keeping experience would also be valuable. Both part-time and full-time schedules will be considered, however, candidates should be able to commit to a minimum of 15 hours per week. The candidate should be ready to begin work in October and have availability through December, 2011.

Skills needed include (but are not limited to):
1. Excellent analytical, written and oral communications skills
2. Familiarity with PC and Mac platforms
3. Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs including Excel
4. Familiarity with Wordpress

To apply, please send a cover letter and your résumé to sbellows@micd.org.

Position to be filled immediately.
Intern will be housed at the American Architectural Foundation, 1799 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20006.

NO CALLS PLEASE.

Library Session for EndNote or Zotero

EndNote or Zotero?

Instructor:  Dave Beagle (phone: 540-231-9231 or email: beagle@vt.edu)

Ever wonder how to manage all of those citations found while doing literature searches and working on your papers? Dave Beagle will lead a hands-on class for two of the tools available for our faculty, students, and staff in the National Capital Region.

EndNote is a licensed software package from Thomson Reuters that is available at no charge to Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and students.

EndNote is defined in its promotional materials as an online search tool, a reference and full text organizer with a collaborative Web tool, and a bibliography maker using Cite While You Write? formatting.  EndNote has a web-based product called EndNote Web that can be used in place of the software product or as a supplement to it.

Zotero is defined in its promotional materials as a ?free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources.

Zotero is an extension for the Firefox web-browser.  It runs in its own pane within Firefox, separately from web pages.   There is a standalone version of Zotero that does not require Firefox to run but is in an alpha release only, so will not be included in these FDI sessions.

The purpose of these sessions is to provide a quick, hands-on introduction in using the basic elements of EndNote and Zotero so that you can decide if either is suitable for your research needs.  Activities will include learning how to:
  • Create a library.
  • Add records to a library manually.
  • Export records from web pages and online databases (e.g., Google Scholar, EBSCO*host*, Web of Science, JSTOR, Addison) into a library.
  • Add PDF articles to records in a library.
  • Create bibliographies and in-text citations from records in a library.  Examples will be taken from three widely used bibliographic styles:  APA 6th, Chicago 16th, and MLA (Handbook & Style Manual).
Session Dates & Times:
  • Thursday, 29 September 2011, from 4:00 ? 5:45 pm in room 102 at the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church
  • Thursday, 29 September 2011, from 6:00 ? 7:45 pm in room 102 at the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church
  • Friday, 30 September 2011, from 4:00 ? 5:45 pm in room 102 at the Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church

If you are not able to attend one of these sessions, the staff at the Resource Center Library can help arrange individual videoconference sessions with Dave. We can also help you with acquiring the EndNote software and assist in using it.

To register, call the Resource Center Library (703-538-8340), send an email to the instructor (beagle@vt.edu) or use the online registration form
http://www.training.lib.vt.edu/classesoffered.php.

EndNote resource page maintained by Dave Beagle:
http://www.lib.vt.edu/endnote/index.html.

Job Oppty: Senior Program Development and Research Associate


Senior Program Development and Research Associate
American Planning Association
Washington, DC

Job at a Glance
Job Level
Mid I (3-5 years)
Salary Range
Open
AICP Certification
Required

Job Description
APA seeks a planner to join its staff in Washington, DC to manage several program development activities for the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and selected research projects for the Research Department.  AICP initiatives currently include the Planners Training Service (PTS) program and the reviews of AICP exam applications.  Research initiatives involve the development and execution of applied research projects, seeking grant funding, and partnership development with the government, foundation and NGO communities.

Experience in project management is required. The position offers an opportunity for a highly motivated professional with a high standard of excellence to be involved in the full range of planning issues. 

Candidates should clearly demonstrate the following knowledge and skills:

• Subject knowledge: broad, well-rounded experience with a wide variety of planning disciplines;

• Research skills: well-developed analytical, technical writing, and presentation skills; a proven ability to manage complex projects on time, on budget, and with high quality;

• Collaboration: proven ability to work successfully and efficiently with in-house teams of colleagues and  with outside academics, practitioners, government officials, and NGOs in diverse cultures;

• Demonstrated success in analysis, communication and organizational development;

• Program development: an ability to develop multi-faceted programs and projects from conception to successful implementation and evaluation;

• Grantsmanship: ability to identify and secure resources to support research, capacity-building and related activities.

Candidates must have a Master’s Degree or Doctorate in planning or a closely related field, plus at least three to five years of experience in planning with increasingly responsible positions in program or project management. Candidates must demonstrate high-level achievements.  AICP designation is required.  Salary is commensurate with experience.  APA is an equal employment opportunity employer.

For a detailed job description and important instructions on how to apply, e-mail
research@planning.org and be sure to put only the following EXACT words in the subject line: SPDRA Job Description.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. 

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Job Oppty: Senior Planner - Community Dev/Division of Zoning, Permitting and Inspections

Senior Planner - Community Development/Division of Zoning, Permitting and Inspections (CMD045)

Vacancy Announcement

POSITION: Senior Planner
LOCATION: Community Development/Division of Zoning, Permitting and Inspections ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: CMD045 MINIMUM STARTING SALARY: $54,678.00 TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Full Time Permanent POSTING DATE: September 16, 2011 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open Until Filled

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Function as Site Plan Coordinator for the county to include pro-actively managing county review and approval of site plans;
* Serve as Case Manager for special permit applications to include coordinating with applicants, review agencies and the public;
* Review land development applications for conformance with zoning ordinance requirements, special permit and special exception conditions and zoning proffers;
* Prepare and present staff analysis and reports to public organizations;
* Prepare/assist in preparation of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments to include researching, writing, working with committees, etc.;
* Review and approve administrative permits;
* Provide technical assistance regarding the zoning ordinance to citizens, property owners, developers, design professionals, boards, commissions and other agencies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* Minimum requirement of a Bachelor's Degree in Planning or a closely related field; Masters degree strongly desired;
* Local government planning experience with specific experience in plan review; Zoning experience preferred;
* Physical demands include: requirement to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally, bending/crawling/climbing and repetitive movement required; occasional exposure to weather conditions.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Interested applicants must submit a Fauquier County Online Application at www.fauquiercounty.gov EEO/AA/M/F/D

Sustainability Research Internship: ICLEI USA

ICLEI USA is seeking research interns (volunteer basis). See the job posting at http://www.icleiusa.org/about-iclei/jobs/sustainability-research-internship


Sustainability Research Internship (volunteer basis)

Background

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI) is the largest and oldest association of local governments in the United States that is focused specifically on sustainability, climate protection, and climate change adaptation. The organization has approximately 575 local government members, and has recently expanded its focus to serve all local governments. ICLEI provides four core services to local governments (training, technical & process support, information sharing, and network building) along with leading-edge climate and sustainability tools and resources.
As part of this suite of sustainability tools and resources, ICLEI is currently developing the STAR Community Index™ (STAR), a pioneering strategic planning and performance management system for U.S. communities. STAR will offer local governments of any size a roadmap for improving community sustainability by addressing intertwining economic, environmental and social concerns. For more information on STAR, please see: http://www.icleiusa.org/sustainability/star-community-index.

General Internship Description

ICLEI is currently updating its review of the landscape of sustainability indicators, tools and best practices. ICLEI seeks volunteer interns to assist ICLEI staff in conducting a thorough review and analysis of the field of indicators, management tools and best practices. This regular update to ICLEI’s baseline research will be used to help inform the development of STAR.

Intern Responsibilities

  • Work directly with ICLEI staff to review sustainability indicators, tools and best practices either existing or in development;
  • Conduct interviews with experts in the field of sustainability;
  • Submit research findings into a cloud database used as a clearinghouse for indicators, tools and best practices;
  • Engage in STAR’s Annual Meeting, take summary notes at various meetings of the Technical Advisory Committees and provide general support.

Intern Qualifications

Applicants must have strong research and writing skills combined with a basic knowledge of the field of sustainability. A strong academic background is required, but specific sustainability experience is not.
Other beneficial skills include:
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Editing and proofreading skills, with attention to detail;
  • Ability to work independently under general direction;
  • Basic knowledge of the field of local government research.

Position Location

This position is based in Washington, DC and requires a commitment of at least 20 hours per week for 10-16 weeks (negotiable) starting in October 2011.

Applications

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and a research sample of any length to art.vonlehe@iclei.org. ICLEI USA is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Oppty: New River Valley Planning District Commission

Director of Finance and Personnel
New River Valley Planning District Commission - Radford, VA
This position leads the financial management program and assists with the Human Resource duties of a regional planning agency that serves 12 governments and two universities in the New River Valley of Virginia. Under the general supervision of the Executive Director with considerable latitude for exercising independent judgment, responsible for performing fiscal and personnel management by maintaining a comprehensive computerized accounting system (GMS), preparing budgets, payroll, and financial reports for management and grant funding sources, budgetary forecasting, and other financial and personnel activities associated with multi-funded grants. The candidate must have comprehensive knowledge of general laws and administrative policies governing municipal financial practices and procedures; comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of accounting and budgeting in government; ability to evaluate complex financial systems and efficiently formulate and install accounting methods, procedures, forms and records; and ability to prepare informative financial reports. Strong written and oral communication skills are necessary. A bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration or related field with five years of progressively responsible experience in maintaining a computerized accounting system for multi-funded programs is preferred.

Hiring range is $34,600 to $54,000 depending on qualifications; excellent benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, holiday, sick leave and retirement. For consideration please submit a cover letter and resume by 5:00 on October 21st to Executive Director at 6580 Valley Center Drive, Suite 124, Radford, VA 24141 or by email to kbyrd@nrvpdc.org. E.O.E.

Virginia’s New River Valley, located in southwest Virginia, has a population of 178,237 and is comprised of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski counties and the City of Radford. There is great scenic beauty with natural resources including the New River, the Jefferson National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The region has two state universities, Virginia Tech, located in the Town of Blacksburg, and Radford University, in the City of Radford. For full job announcement and to learn more about the Planning District Commission and the region please visit www.nrvpdc.org and www.explorenewrivervalley.com.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Oct 15: "King Beyond Black & White" with Dr. Lawrence Carter of Morehouse Univ.


In 1958, Martin Luther King Jr. personally recruited Lawrence Edward Carter as a 10th grader to come to Morehouse College. Twenty one years later, Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter became the first Dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel in 1979. Today he is Professor of Religion and College Curator at Morehouse College. For forty-six years, Dr. Carter has studied and worked in fourteen American universities, colleges, and professional schools, spoken at over one-hundred different colleges, universities, and seminaries, and received over one thousand speaking engagements from eighteen Christian denominations, including Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist communions, and traveled to thirty-five foreign countries.

Where & When
SGI-USA Buddhist Culture Center
3417 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20007
Saturday, October 15
5:00 PM
(Reception with light refreshments to follow)

IMPORTANT: Admission is free but seating is limited and only if you RSVP. Please respond to cultureofpeacedc@gmail.com or call Bill Aiken at 202-338-5491.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sept 28 CNU DC Salon on the Sustainable DC Initiative

CNU DC Salon on the Sustainable DC Initiative
September 28, 2011, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
National Portrait Gallery, Courtyard Café
750 9th Street NW, Washington DC

"Dear CNU DC Member:

The District of Columbia leadership has requested input from our organization and others as it develops a new unified vision and comprehensive framework for a more sustainable Washington DC. The end goal: to connect sustainability with economic development and become the most sustainable city in the U.S. You can read all about the initiative at http://sustainable.dc.gov.

As an organization dedicated to more humane and sustainable urban places in the DC region, the city leadership is particularly interested in our ideas on how to accomplish these goals. What ideas do you have for programs, practices, and policies to move Sustainable DC closer to its ultimate goals?

You are invited to an informal CNU DC Salon to discuss your ideas on Wednesday, September 28 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the National Portrait Gallery, Courtyard Café at 750 9th Street NW, Washington DC, near Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Station. You will be able to get refreshments until 6:30.

If you are unable to attend, please send your ideas to Stephanie.Bothwell@verizon.net by September 27, 2011. Be as detailed as possible in your proposals. We want to hear about it! We will compile the ideas and present them to the DC Department of Planning, as requested. Thanks and apologies for such late notice.

Hope to see you there,
Stephanie Bothwell
Board Chair, CNU DC"

Friday, September 23, 2011

Job Oppty: Associate Deputy Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service, Transportation & Marketing Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Transportation & Marketing Program has recently announced a vacancy for an Associate Deputy Administrator position that will fully share, with the Deputy Administrator, the overall responsibility for overseeing the development, formulation, administration and coordination of its Program activities and policies.  Specific program areas include:  research on and development of wholesale and alternative market facilities; research on and development of farmers markets and direct marketing; the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program; the Farmers Market Promotion Program, and the Department's agricultural transportation program.


If you cannot open the link, please visit USAjobs.gov to search for Job Announcement Number: 24TM-2011-0004.

Sept 27 Webcast: Dynamic Collaboration: Living Cities at 20

From the Living Cities website:

"Living Cities 20th Anniversary WEBCAST
While attendance at the sessions is limited to members and select guests, watch the webcast live from 9:00am-2:00pm and 7:45-9:00pm EST right here on Living Cities website. Don't forget to join the conversation via Twitter using the hastag #LC20 & check out the live blog hosted by Next American City.
On Tuesday, September 27, Living Cities- a collaborative of 22 of the world’s largest foundations and financial institutions - will celebrate its 20th anniversary by bringing together leaders from the public, private & philanthropic sectors and challenging them to think differently about collaboration, innovation & urban social change.

Having harnessed the collective power of its members to invest approximately $1 billion - leveraged into over $16 billion - in America's cities over the last two decades, Living Cities’ Anniversary presents the perfect opportunity to reflect on our work to-date and look forward to understand how a more dynamic form of collaborationcan successfully accelerate metropolitan prosperity, unlock the power of private capital, and better connect low-income people to opportunity.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Secretary Shaun Donovan, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
Steven Johnson, Author, Where Good Ideas Come From

FEATURED SPEAKERS:
Monique Baptiste, Newark’s Strong Healthy Communities Initiative; Dianne Bell-McKoy, Associated Black Charities; Dudley Benoit, JPMorgan Chase; Audrey Choi, Morgan Stanley; Xavier Briggs, Associate Professor, MIT (Formerly OMB); Pablo Farías, Ford Foundation; Gary Hattem, President, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation; Don Hinkle-Brown, The Reinvestment Fund (TRF); Benjamin Kennedy, The Kresge Foundation; George McCarthy, Ford Foundation; Patrick McCarthy, The Annie E. Casey Foundation; Ann Muholland, Minnesota Community Foundation & the Saint Paul Foundation; Rip Rapson, The Kresge Foundation, David Robinson, NBA Hall of Famer, Mayor R.T. Rybak, Minneapolis Dennis White, MetLife Foundation; Walter Wright, Cleveland Foundation; Kate Wolford, McKnight Foundation and Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, State University of New York (SUNY)

PANELS:

Living Cities Today & Tomorrow: A Conversation with the Living Cities Board: Our economy, our government, our country are undergoing enormous and disruptive changes. Living Cities Board Members – the leadership from some of the world’s largest foundations and financial institutions – will discuss how the organization has evolved to meet the changing needs of low-income people and why a more collaborative approach, coupled with innovative investment models, has the potential to re-engineer America's cities.

Interview with Stephen Johnson, Author, Where Good Ideas Come From: Steven Johnson has introduced concepts such as the “adjacent possible” and written extensively on cities as the perfect petri dish for innovation. Paula Ellis, Living Cities Board Member and VP of Strategic Initiatives at the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, will interview Mr. Johnson, challenging him and us to think about and invest in urban innovation differently.

Integrating People, Place and Opportunity: An Inside Look at the Integration Initiative: In October 2010, Living Cities launched The Integration Initiative, an $85 million effort which supports cities that are harnessing existing momentum and leadership for change, overhauling long obsolete systems and fundamentally reshaping their communities and policies to meet the needs of low-income residents. One year into this initiative, hear from leaders driving the work on the ground and national funders about results to-date, early lessons-learned, and next steps both locally and nationally.

Dynamic Collaboration, Cities & the Future: A Moderated Conversation: A keynote speech by the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Shaun Donovan, will be followed by a roundtable discussion bringing together an unexpected mix of leaders to identify and discuss the emerging trends and innovations that will be crucial for cities over the next 20 years, the new problem-solving mechanisms that are needed, and the respective (and evolving) roles various sectors must play."

Oct 4 Panel Discussion: Urban Sustainability Initiatives, Challenges and Opportunities

October 4, 2011, 10:00 – 11:30 am National Building Museum, Washington DC
Sponsored by the Next American City

How can we create metropolitan areas, cities, and neighborhoods that better balance economic vitality, social equity, and environmental quality? The Honorable Dr. Raphael Bostic, Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the discussion, followed by a panel consisting of Rolf Pendall, Director, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute; Anita Hairston, Senior Associate, PolicyLink; Catherine Ross, Harry West Professor of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Tech College of Architecture, and Paul Brophy, Senior Fellow, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution. The discussion will be moderated by Eugenie L. Birch, Co-Director, Penn Institute for Urban Research and Lawrence C. Nussdorf Professor of Urban Research and Education, University of Pennsylvania School of Design. This event is co-sponsored by University of Pennsylvania Institute for Urban Research, The Urban Institute, Next American City, and the National Building Museum. Event is free and open to public. However, registration is required. Please RSVP here.

October 1 AICP Exam Review

NCAC-APA and the Maryland APA Chapters are co-hosting a prep session for candidates taking the AICP exam in November 2011.  The final notification deadline for eligibility to take the exam is September 22 and the exam testing window is from November 7-11.  Our review session will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 8am-4:30 P.M. at Catholic University.  Registration is $30 and includes breakfast and lunch.  Catholic University is easily accessible via the Brookland/CUA Metro stop on the  Red Line and free on-site parking will also be available for attendees.  Please see the attached registration form for additional details.  Also note that you must RSVP and submit registration fees (by mail) by no later than Friday, September 23rd to ensure your attendance.   Feel free to contact Arlova Jackson at arlovaj@gmail.com if you have additional questions about the event.

Thanks and we’re looking forward to seeing you on October 1st!

Job Oppty: Coordinator of Youth Organizing

Annenberg Institute for School Reform
Community Organizing and Engagement Program (NYC Office)
Coordinator of Youth Organizing
Job Announcement, 8-16-2011

Description:
The Annenberg Institute for School Reform (AISR) is looking for a highly experienced and effective organizer to help lead its youth organizing work in New York City focused on supporting the Urban Youth Collaborative. The Urban Youth Collaborative (UYC) is a citywide youth-led coalition that brings New York City youth together from primarily low-income communities of color to fight for educational justice through local and citywide organizing strategies. UYC is committed to building a strong youth voice to ensure that high schools prepare students for college, for jobs that pay a living wage, and to work for justice in our society.

Working with the Co-Coordinator, specific responsibilities include:
* Provide leadership and coordinating support to young people and organizers in developing the Urban Youth Collaborative's campaigns for high school reform in New York City;
* Oversee policy and data analyses, training, and media outreach work conducted by AISR staff to support UYC campaigns;
* Coordinate ongoing relationships and alliance building with allies;
* Participate in direct outreach to students, as well as the adults who work with them, to facilitate their engagement in UYC work;
* Convene regular meetings of the executive directors of the UYC member organizations;
* Oversee and manage AISR's annual Youth Organizing Institute for UYC youth leaders;
* Support fundraising by AISR to support the UYC, Youth Organizing Institute, and data analyses and communications support provided by AISR; and
* Participate in presentations and writing articles that bring more visibility to the Urban Youth Collaborative and to youth organizing for school reform.

The position will report to AISR's Director of Community Organizing & Engagement.

Qualifications:
- Minimum of five years of paid organizing experience, preferably with low income youth in diverse urban communities
- Proven commitment to community organizing as a means to improve public schools and achieve social justice
- Experience in supervising staff, preferably as a senior staff person in a non-profit organization
- Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Experience in research, media outreach, and web-based communications
- Strong writing, administrative, and computer skills
- Knowledge of public education reform

Please note that candidates who do not have experience in community organizing will not be considered.

Apply on line at: https://careers.brown.edu/

Please send resume also to: irena_jaroszewski@brown.edu

Call for Papers: Interdisciplinary Research Symposium

We are happy to announce that the Interdisciplinary Research Honor Society (ΙΔΡ) is organizing the first Interdisciplinary Research Symposium at Virginia Tech on Nov 4th, 9am-4pm, in the Graduate Life Center (GLC) Multipurpose room. The goal of this symposium is to showcase student research projects to promote and recognize the interdisciplinary work being performed at Virginia Tech by both graduate and undergraduate students. Please visit our website for FREE registration to the event and view additional information on abstract submission at http://symposium.idrscoiety.org.  Abstracts should be submitted to symposium@idrsociety.org by Oct 2nd.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Nov 11 Lecture on Sprawl: A Compact History

Save the Date!

On Friday, November 11 from 2-4-pm, UAP will be hosting Robert Bruegmann, who is a Distinguished Professor of Architecture, Art History and Urban Planning at the University of Illinois Chicago. He will guest lecture based on his well-known book Sprawl: A Compact History at 2150 Torgensen.

About Professor Bruegmann 
Robert Bruegmann is an historian of architecture, landscape and the built environment.  He received his BA from Principia College in 1970 and his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976 with a dissertation on late 18th and early 19th century European hospitals and other institutions. In 1977 he became assistant professor in the Art History Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he is currently Professor with appointments in the School of Architecture and the Program in Urban Planning and Policy. He has also taught at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia College of the Arts, MIT and Columbia University. He has also worked for the Historic American Buildings Survey and Historic American Engineering Record of the National Park Service.

His fields of research and teaching are architectural, urban, landscape, and planning history and historic preservation. He has received scholarships and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Graham Foundation, the Buell Center for the Study of American Architecture at Columbia University and the Institute for the Humanities and the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Sept 28 and 29: 2011 Civic Life Institute

Sponsored by the West Virginia Center for Civic Life

Please join us for our
2011 Civic Life Institute
Co-sponsored by the Eastern WV Community Foundation

Connecting People to Public Issues
September 28-29 in Martinsburg

CEU's available through West Virginia University
Learn a process for moving from community dialogue to action
Learn how to moderate community discussions of public issues
Discuss strategies for organizing community dialogue initiatives
Network with others who are working to build strong communities
Engage in deliberation of issues important to our state, including—

Dealing with Prescription Drug Abuse
Addressing the Dropout Challenge
Making the Heathy Choice the Easy Choice
Building Strong, Safe Neighborhoods

For more information, contact:
Eastern WV Community Foundation
info@ewvcf.org
304-264-0353

WV Center for Civic Life
info@wvciviclife.org
304-344-3430

www.wvciviclife.org

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Oct 7 UI Event: Budget Pressure and Changing the Charitable Deduction

An Urban Institute Event

You are cordially invited to attend
Budget Pressure and Changing the Charitable Deduction: For Better or Worse?

Friday, October 7, 2011
9:30 am – 2:30 pm (EST)
The Urban Institute
2100 M St NW, 5th Fl
Katharine Graham Conference Facility
Washington, D.C. 20037

To attend in Washington, D.C., go to
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2159529210 (Registration is required)

Our apologies but this meeting will not be offered as a podcast or webinar.

Please proceed to the Tax Policy and Charities web site for event details and to download the agenda.

Please email Katie Toran for additional information.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Sept 30 PGG Social

PGG Social
September 30, 2011
6:00—8:00 p.m.
In the Urban Loft
1021 Prince Street—3rd Floor

A SPIA Sponsored Event
Opportunity to meet professors & other Virginia Tech, Alexandria PhD students
For more information contact: mlechuga@vt.edu

Friday, September 16, 2011

PhD Independent Study in Climate Change and Governance

Independent Study
Decision-Makers’ Use of Climate Science in Flood Governance
Instructors: Patrick Roberts and Kris Wernstedt
Contact: patrickroberts@vt.edu or
krisw@vt.edu

Course description: Seasonal climate information such as forecasts of El Niño conditions months ahead of time can be used to improve planning and management of weatherrelated extreme events such as floods. Unfortunately, even when seasonal forecast information appears clear, putting knowledge about likely climate conditions into practice to improve planning for extreme events before they happen poses difficulties.  Flood and other emergency managers typically work in situations with tight budgets, and they must make decisions quickly. In addition, managers may find it difficult to clearly communicate to the public and policymakers the range of possible outcomes from events that are highly uncertain. This may be particularly the case in rural areas, where geographic distances complicate communication and technical expertise disperses more widely than in concentrated urban areas. This course examines whether the way in which forecast information is presented and the way in which those involved in emergency management governance in rural areas interact with each other influence the ability to use seasonal climate information to improve planning and management to reduce flood losses.

Rasion d’être: This course stems from a three year National Science Foundation funded research project led by the course instructors. While there is not presently funding for a graduate assistant devoted to the project, this line of research would be an appropriate dissertation topic, and it promises to generate interest among scholars and practitioners and is a candidate for dissertation research funding support in the future.

Format: The course will be conducted through independent reading and research, scheduled meetings with the instructors (in person or polycom), possible in-person or telephone interviews of stakeholders, and a public presentation.

Timeline: This course could have formal registration for spring 2012, summer 2012, and/or fall 2012. (Fall 2011 may be possible). You may arrange a timeline for you to complete the work in consultation with the instructors (such as conducting some of the work over the winter break or summer or other period not aligned with the formal semester). You must settle on a research topic in consultation with the instructors before registering for this course.

Possible research foci include: rural emergency management governance (comparing rural emergency management governance structures and capacities); communication of scientific information (how do different ways of presenting climate information shape decision outcomes); group decision-processes and social media platforms (how do different dissemination tools shape attention and decision-making); uncertainty and decision heuristics in public decision making; case study methodology; network analysis (mapping a network of rural emergency management influence). The research will require a literature review in your chosen area, data collection, and analysis leading to a course paper. You will also give a public presentation on your research and write a funding proposal (such as an NSF dissertation improvement grant or a PERI grant).

Requirements: must be a SPIA Ph.D. student in either Blacksburg or Alexandria. Your research focus for the course must be part of your dissertation. (It doesn’t make sense for your to spend this much time on an independent study that is not central to your dissertation).

Instructors: Roberts is an assistant professor in the Center for Public Administration and Policy in SPIA, and his interests are in governance and emergency management; Wernstedt is an associate professor in Urban Affairs and Planning, and his interests are in flood and water resource planning and management. Both are based in Alexandria.

Reasons to take this independent study

  • You will gain expertise in a hot topic
  • Funders may be interested in your dissertation research once you have reached a certain level of competence
  • You will work closely with faculty
  • You will learn about funded research
  • Reasons not to take this independent study
  • The research topics do not relate to your dissertation, or you don’t want to make this project your dissertation
  • You have trouble doing independent research
  • You aren’t intellectually curious or analytically rigorous
  • You don’t want to work with quirky, demanding professors

Job Oppty: Project Manager, Sustainability Management & Reporting Tool


Project Manager, Sustainability Management & Reporting Tool (Gaithersburg, MD / Boston, MA)

Sodexo's Office of Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility has an immediate need for a Project Manager to lead cross-market implementation of its sustainability performance dashboard to 4000+ sites over the next three years.  The Project Manager will provide oversight and relationship management for high-visibility sustainability management software deployment throughout North America. This role requires the coordination of multiple parties including client representatives, Sodexo site operators, Sodexo internal departments, and program developers.  Candidates will have experience in successfully managing a complex long-term project, while communicating project status updates to internal and external audiences. The Project Manager is also expected to become fully conversant in Sodexo's global sustainability strategy.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Manage all aspects of a performance dashboard roll-out process (eg. testing, production, implementation, user support, data analysis, status updates, reports, internal/external communications, maintenance, etc.) across hundreds of dispersed customer facilities
  • Fully understand contractual and regulatory requirements relating to the project
  • Work with the field operations teams to optimize accurate and effective use of the program
  • Troubleshoot various technical components
Required Qualifications/Skills/Education:
  • BA/BS; MBA preferred
  • Strong problem-solving and organizational skills with demonstrated ability to handle multiple issues at once
  • Outstanding communication skills with the proven ability to utilize these skills across stakeholder groups
  • Ability to analyze data objectively and to present complex results clearly and creatively to diverse audiences
  • Ability to travel as needed (~25%)
Desired Qualifications/Skills/Education:
  • A minimum of three years experience specifically relating to project management, large scale program implementation, or other relevant experience
  • Energy, water, facilities management or other engineering, design, or project contracting experience
  • Experience and comfort performing energy/equipment audits and surveys of commercial and industrial facilities
  • Training and development expertise
To apply, please visit the Sodexo Career Center: https://external-careers-sodexo.icims.com/jobs/11242/job

About Sodexo

Sodexo, Inc. is a leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivering On Site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, as well as Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. More

Washington Semester program combines theory and practice to offer VT students quality internship experience

by Barbara L. Micale
"Washington, D.C., was home this summer to 12 undergraduates who participated in Virginia Tech’s Washington Semester, a 12-week program offered by Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) in Old Town Alexandria, Va. Established in 1995, the Washington Semester provides students with a quality experience that allows them to understand the inner workings of government agencies/nonprofits and, at the same time, contribute to the organization’s day-to-day responsibilities."  Read more.

Education Abroad Scholarships

Education Abroad within the Office of International Research, Education and Development (OIRED) has allocated scholarship funds for Virginia Tech students who study abroad. Scholarships are available to students who participate in VT-managed programs (semester-long and short-term programs), bilateral and ISEP exchanges, VT Direct, and non-VT programs. The amounts awarded are: $1000 for year-long programs, $500 for semester-long programs, and $300 for summer programs.
Deadline for spring: 10/21/11
Website: http://www.educationabroad.vt.edu/
Contact: Education Abroad at 540-231-5888 or at vtabroad@vt.edu

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Oct 16 and 17: Virginia Downtown Development Association’s Annual Conference

Registration is now open for the Virginia Downtown Development Association’s Annual Conference 
October 16 and 17
Richmond, Virginia

Upcoming DC CM Opportunity

Walking Tour with Councilmember Tommy Wells: The Future of the H Street Corridor
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Meet at the southeast corner of 3rd and H Street NE, near the Capital Bikeshare kiosk
Please RSVP if you plan to attend @ RSVP
2.0 AICP CM Credits (pending)

During the walk, participants will discuss the future of the H Street Corridor and explore several major redevelopment projects that have recently broken ground and others that are in the works. The tour will also highlight the diversity of small businesses – both old and new – and celebrate the history of entrepreneurs that make up the distinctive character of H Street. And don’t worry, the discussion cover the streetcar line and its connection to Union Station and the Metro system.

You’ll finish the tour by venturing past the brilliant Atlas Center for Performing Arts and many of the new bars and restaurants that have resurrected the nightlife on H Street. We’ll wrap up at the “Starburst” at 15th Street.

Sept 27 Talk by Nancy Agee on Servant Leadership for Community Change

We're glad to share this email from Andy Morikawa at the Virginia Tech Institute for Policy & Governance:

"We invite you to join us Tuesday, September 27, 7:00 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre for the Fall 2011 season kickoff of Community Voices. The 7:00 p.m. evening performances at the Lyric makes Community Voices accessible to a larger audience.

We are delighted that Nancy Agee will be our first speaker for the fall Community Voices series. Recently appointed to lead Carilion Clinic, Nancy is President and CEO of an integrated healthcare organization serving Western Virginia,

Carilion includes a multi-specialty physician group, eight hospitals, the Jefferson College of Health Sciences and a joint ventured Medical School with Virginia Tech.

In her Community Voices talk, Ms. Agee will reflect on servant leadership. In a rapidly changing social and economic environment, the leader of a major, regional corporation has stewardship for community change. With career roots in nursing, Ms. Agee's leadership has served management roles with Carilion over the past 20 years. In 1996, she was appointed vice president and has gradually assumed increasing administrative and executive leadership roles.

Nancy Agee will speak to critical leadership questions. What are the sources of our power, as individuals and as organizations, for change? How do we collectively create needed social innovation?

Ms. Agee holds degrees with honors from the University of Virginia and Emory University and participated in postgraduate studies at the Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University."

Sept 27: “Building a Sustainable Future,” A Planning and Community Conference

“Building a Sustainable Future,” A Planning and Community Conference
September 27, 2011; 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (6 Potential AICP CM Credits!)
Ramada Plaza Richmond West Hotel, 6624 West Broad Street

Organized by the James River Green Building Council (JRGBC)
The Building a Sustainable Future: Planning and Community Conference, presented by the James River Green Building Council, will bring continuing education learning units to planners, government officials, developers, civil engineers, landscape architects, students, green building professionals  and others committed to sustainable growth throughout Virginia! This one day seminar will focus on sharing best practices through case studies and engaging real-world examples. For more information, go to: http://jrgbc.org/events/.

Sept 27 Program: Missed Opportunity: Transit and Jobs in Metro Amer


WTS-DC Event
A Brown Bag Lunch with Robert Puentes 
Missed Opportunity: Transit and Jobs in Metro America,
A Discussion of the Landmark Brookings Report 

A recently published Brookings Institution report, Missed Opportunity: Transit and Jobs in Metropolitan America, examined how the nation's major metropolitan areas perform in providing access to jobs via transit. The report found that for the typical metropolitan commuter, just one-quarter of jobs in low- and middle-skill industries are accessible via transit within 90 minutes. Missed Opportunity generated a large amount of national media; for the first time illuminating the key role that access to jobs has in providing economic opportunity and generating economic recovery in an equitable fashion.

Now you have the chance to hear from one the report's authors! Come hear Robert Puentes, Senior Fellow with Brookings' Metropolitan Planning Program, present the findings of this groundbreaking study, and engage in dialogue with transit service providers considering the implications of this research for local transit agencies.

Discussion topics will include equity in job access, changing metrics for transportation project funding, challenges for transit agencies, and next steps. 

When: 
Tuesday, September 27, 2011  
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Registration begins at 11:45 am 

Where:
Brookings Institution's Metro Conference Room 
1775 Massachusettes Ave, NW 
Washington, DC

Metro:
Dupont Circle, Red Line 

Parking:
Public Garage and Limited Street Parking available

Cost:
Members: $10.00
Non Members: $15.00
Students: $5.00
A brown bag lunch will be provided 
To RSVP, click here   

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Tuesdays at APA DC: Sept 20 Regional and Local Econ Dev Speaker

You’re Invited!

Tuesdays at APA-DC
September 20 @ 5:30pm
Regional and Local Economic Development: A Global Perspective

Speaker: Cliff Hague
                           Past President, Royal Town Planning Institute
                           Emeritus Professor at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, U.K

A way of understanding different approaches to economic development will be presented, drawing on Regional and Local Economic Development, a new book by Hague, Hague and Breitbach. The form economic development takes is linked to the priority attached to different policy aims (e.g. economic efficiency or environmental sustainability) and to expectations about whether the market will deliver desired forms of development in particular locations. The different approaches can also be linked to different governance mechanisms and illustrated by examples from practice. In "hard times," when and where local economies are weak, and the capacity of governments to make an impact is also limited, there is a case for looking at less orthodox approaches. There are examples of these within the U.S., but this may be a field in which the global North can learn something from practices in the global South.

CM | 1.0


Learn more about this event and upcoming events on the APA website

Tuesdays at APA–DC
Join APA in Washington, D.C., each month for this after-work lecture and discussion series. Practicing planners, researchers, and professionals from allied fields discuss innovative ideas and concepts or present their latest projects.
The events are free and open to APA members and nonmembers.

Directions
Please enter on 15th Street and check in with security desk
American Planning Association - Headquarters
1030 15th Street, NW, Suite 750 West
Washington, DC 20005

Metro – Farragut North (red line)
                 McPherson Square (orange/blue lines)
Parking available in paid parking lots or on street

See you there!

How would YOU make DC a greener, healthier, more livable city?


“Hopefully some of you have heard that Mayor Gray recently announced an new initiative to create a comprehensive sustainability strategy for the District called “Sustainable DC.” The planning process is kicking off with a intensive public outreach campaign to hear how District residents envision a more sustainable future in the District.

Check out the website www.sustainable.dc.gov where you can discuss your vision for a greener, healthier, more livable DC, see what others are saying, and vote for your favorite ideas. Since a major goal for “Start in September” is to have dozens of community-led conversations gathering ideas and goals for a more sustainable DC, the website also offers tools like a discussion guide to help facilitate your conversation and a short presentation on the plan. You can also sign up to receive updates throughout the planning process.

Spend a few minutes and share your vision and goals for a more sustainable DC—and tell a few friends while you are at it! Comments or questions can be sent to sustainable.future@dc.gov.

Thanks,
Dan

Dan Guilbeault
Policy Analyst
Office of Policy and Sustainability
District of Columbia Department of the Environment
Office: 202-281-3957
Email: dan.guilbeault@dc.gov
green.dc.gov