In Memory of Bill Symonds

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Symonds at his home in Edmonton on November 19, 2022. Bill worked in the planning field in Alberta for over 35 years initially with the City of Edmonton and then Murray Jones and Associates before joining Alberta Municipal Affairs in 1978.  Over his career Bill participated in a variety of planning studies, land use bylaws and municipal development plans and acted as the subdivision approving authority for municipalities not served by regional planning commissions. In 1995 he worked on the re-write of the Planning Act and provided advice to municipal officials, planners and the public on the meaning and application of the legislation. He supported regional planning with the Land Use Secretariat, the Metropolitan Boards, and the City Region Studies Centre, to steering dialogue about the future of vibrant city-regions in Alberta. Bill served as mentor and director of planning for Alberta Municipal Affairs before retiring in 2014.  Paving the path for future planners, he worked for many years as a part-time instructor in the University of Alberta Extension’s Applied Land Use Planning Certificate program.  Bill was a champion of professional planning and APPI, and served the Institute in many volunteer capacities during his career including but not limited to Chairing the APPI Registration Committee and serving as an Examiner.  In 2012, Bill was awarded the APPI Outstanding Contribution to the Professional Award, the Institute’s highest honour award, recognizing long term commitment to the Institute and Volunteerism.

APPI Mentors Needed for University of Calgary (U of C) School of Architecture Planning and Landscape (SAPL) Mentorship Program

 Are you looking for a way to give back to the planning profession? Do you enjoy interacting with students and the future planners of tomorrow?  Why not consider becoming mentor with the U of C SAPL Mentorship Program.

This mentorship program aims to provide valuable networking opportunities to SAPL students with industry experts to gain experience and knowledge in professional practice.  APPI members who participate in the SAPL Mentorship Program may log this time for the purposes of meeting Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) requirements.  Those that volunteer to mentor SAPL students need not reside or practicing in Calgary. Professional planners with rural and/or remote professional experience are encouraged to respond to this call for volunteers, to share their unique professional perspectives with planning students.

Deadline: Friday. December 9, 2022. The mentor will be matched with mentee by December 16, 2022 and we will send out the emails to both mentor and mentee about their information by the December 20, 2022. The program is planned to be kicked off in January as per the guidebook. The number and medium of meetings will be decided by the mentor and mentee.

For more information on the SAP Mentorship Program click here.  To become a mentor, please signup here.

2023 Membership Renewals

With the exception of APPI members who hold Non-Practicing member status, all APPI members have now been issued a personalized renewal notice with details about the new membership renewal process and a unique link to renew online through the renewal wizard.  With the new easy online renewal wizard, members have the choice to pay for their 2023 membership fees with a credit card online or select pay by check to receive a invoice for themselves or their employer to pay via direct deposit or cheque.  Paying OR selecting invoice within your renewal process before December 31 will prevent you from having a lapse in membership and insurance coverage.  If you have not received your renewal notice or want to change your membership status, please email [email protected].