Volunteers make up a large part of APPI as a professional organization. APPI's Volunteer Recognition Program recognizes individual dedication and contributions to APPI and the planning profession more generally. The recipients are honored at the Volunteer Appreciation and Awards Celebration.
Volunteer Recognition Awards
You have the opportunity to nominate one of your colleagues for the contributions that they have made to the Institute in one of the following categories.
Deadline was March 27, 2025 and now closed.
Volunteer Appreciation and Awards Celebration
May 8, 2025 from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Italian Cultural Centre, Edmonton
Outstanding Contribution to the Profession Award
This prestigious award is the highest honour awarded to an APPI RPP member, recognizing long term commitment to the Institute, profession, and volunteerism. The recipients have demonstrated exemplary leadership in the planning profession and have contributed to the Institute in a number of capacities. The APPI membership at large nominates their peers for the award and a volunteer adjudication committee selects the winning recipients. Nominations are restricted to APPI RPP members who have a minimum ten years of service.
Congratulations to all Recipients of this Award! View past award recipients.
2024 Recipients of the APPI Outstanding Contribution to the Profession Awards
Kalen Anderson RPP
Kalen Anderson obtained a Master of Urban Planning degree from McGill University in 2006. During Kalen’s fifteen years in planning with the City of Edmonton she has volunteered with APPI in many capacities – serving a term on Council in 2009 and 2010, volunteering on the Edmonton Events Committee and Conference Committees, while also mentoring many Candidate members. In 2022, Kalen received the APPI Exceptional Mentor Award.
When you think of urban planning in Edmonton (and beyond), many would cite the significant contributions of Kalen Anderson. She has championed a range of precedent-setting initiatives, from the Infill Roadmap to CityLab to The City Plan. Kalen’s most important contribution to Edmonton perhaps, from a planning practice perspective, is the premise that everyone is a city builder – whether a planner, developer, resident, or municipal official. Through her advocacy and leadership, she has invited Edmontonians to get involved in planning for the future of their city, and to be part of the solution.
Greg Birch RPP
Greg Birch obtained a Master of Environmental Design in Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of Calgary in 1984. During his 34 years as an RPP, Greg has dedicated his skills, expertise, and thoughtful approach to APPI and has volunteered in many capacities including but not limited to serving a term on Council, serving as an APPI examiner, and serving on the Discipline Committee since 2011, on which he continues to serve and has chaired since 2022. Greg also serves on the Board of the Professional Standards Board (PSB) where he is Treasurer, helping analyze the PSB’s financial streams and forecasting, and working to reduce fees for Candidate members.
The dedication and unparalleled, thoughtful and considerate approach that Greg brings to his work, volunteerism, and every challenging situation he encounters is inspirational. Those that are fortunate to know and work with Greg, consider themselves honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to learn from his example, and to call him a friend.
Teresa Goldstein RPP
Teresa Goldstein obtained a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from Queen’s University in 2003. In 2006 Teresa completed the RPP certification process, and during her 18 years as a RPP member of the Institute, she has volunteered with APPI in a variety of capacities – including but not limited to serving a term on Council, working on the APPI Special Municipal Government Act Task Force, hosting APPI webinars, and presenting at a number of conferences. Teresa has also mentored a number of planners, both officially via the RPP certification process and others unofficially. In 2023, Teresa received the APPI Exceptional Mentor Award.
Teresa’s nomination for the Outstanding Contribution to the Profession Award was supported by many letters from colleagues showing the depth of Teresa’s planning knowledge and experience and the breadth of her impact. She has made contributions to both the private and public sectors, volunteered for numerous community organizations and committees, and inspires the next generation of planners as a university instructor and mentor. Teresa’s recent doctoral research and her openness to share it exemplifies all of this.
APPI honours all three individuals as recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Contibution to the Profession Awards!
Volunteer of the Year Award
This award recognizes a significant contribution made in the previous year. This award is open to any regulated member. Nominees must have made an outstanding contribution to the Institute serving on an APPI Committee or initiative, or alternatively representing APPI on a specific project or initiative at the national level.
2024 Recipient
Stephen Yu RPP
Stephen Yu has served on the APPI Edmonton Events Committee and the Conference Committee for a number of years. He has sponsored and mentored both professional planners and students both formerly via the RPP certification process as well as informally. Stephen also serves on the Urban Development Institute’s Edmonton Metro Events Committee and the City of Beaumont Urban Design Guidelines Committee.
Stephen is dedicated to the Institute, the planning profession and his community. He is a reliable and passionate volunteer who is always willing to help out in a variety of capacities and excels at bringing people together. He is particularly skilled at fostering relationships with university students. He takes the time to listen and answer their questions, and to learn about their unique planning interests to better enable him to connect them with other planners with relevant experience.
Exceptional Mentor Award
This award acknowledges RPP members who have gone above and beyond in supporting the growth of a Candidate member(s) or student(s), in their professional development planning practice and competence.
Long Term Service Recognition Program
The Long Term Service Recognition program recognizes and celebrates APPI RPP members, their service and dedication to the Institute and the profession.
The recipients are honored at the annual APPI Volunteer Awards and Appreciation Celebration.
The objectives of the Long Term Service Recognition Program are to:
- recognize long-term membership with the professional planning organization as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) or its equivalent in Canada.
- increase the level of pride and satisfaction of membership amongst APPI members.
- promote the contributions planners to the profession and them building awareness of the Institute.
2024 Long Term Service Recognition
2023 Long Term Service Recognition
2022 Long Term Service Recognition
Council Service Awards
The Council Service Awards are given to outgoing members of APPI Council. APPI acknowledges the following former members of APPI Council, whose Council terms ended April 27, 2024. We thank them for their dedication to the profession and leadership of the Institute.
2024
Jeff Chase RPP
Jeff Chase was elected to the position of President Elect in April 2020 with two years as President in 2021-2022, during and post the COVID pandemic. Under his leadership the Institute rose to the challenge of adapting and finding new ways to support the membership, and advancing professional planning, and hosting a sold out conference in October 2022. Under Jeff's leadership, significant progress was made in implementing the Strategic Plan which positioned the Institute to continue to advance its mission of being the face of the planning profession within Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Courtney Laurence RPP
Courtney Laurence was elected to Council in April 2022 and served a two year term. During her time on Council Courtney provided support to her fellow Council members and was always willing to share her skills. Her commitment, enthusiasm, and dedication to APPI and the profession have been an inspiration.
Peter Ohm RPP
Peter Ohm served two – two year terms on Council and provided exemplary leadership on both the Finance and Governance Committees.
Volunteer Appreciation
We are proud to celebrate each one of you that spend your time volunteering for APPI. APPI‘s volunteers serve in many capacities such as the Annual Conference Committee, Registration Committee, Regional Events Committees, Discipline Committee, adjudicating awards, serving as mentors and sponsors for those Candidate members seeking RPP certification, or serving as APPI’s representatives on a variety of external bodies such as the Safety Codes Council, Professional Standards Board, the Calgary Planning Commission or the Edmonton Design Committee.
Approximately 12% of our members volunteer in some capacity. This is something the membership should be very proud of and we thank all of you for your contribution.