Working as a Team

topics-being-a-commissioner-220

illustration by Paul Hoffman

Articles and postings with suggestions on how planning commissioners can work more effectively as a team.

PCJ Articles

Dealing with Commissioners Who Have Too Little to Say

by Elaine Cogan

How can a commission chair encourage shy members to speak up? They may be newcomers to the board reluctant to express an opinion; genuinely deep thinkers who need to know all the facts before saying anything; or disinterested or bored individuals.

Planning 101

Is Your Commission Organized for Business?

This series of articles from the Planning Commissioners Journal looks at ways in which planning commissions can function more effectively as a group.

PCJ Articles

Putting Some Oomph into Planning

with Carolyn Braun, AICP; Wendy Grey, AICP; Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy, AICP; Lee Krohn, AICP; and Jim Segedy, FAICP

A roundtable discussion on ways of strengthening the planning process — with a look at: the roles of planning commissions and governing bodies; finding time for long-range planning; and better ways of implementing local plans.

PCJ Articles

Making a Difference

by Otis White

How much of a difference can one planning commissioner make? Quite a bit, as Otis White explains in this story about a county planning commissioner from Oregon.

PCJ Articles

Sitting on Both Sides of the Table

by PCJ Editor Wayne Senville

We posed four questions to 25 individuals who have had the opportunity to serve both as professional and citizen planners. You’ll find their responses quite interesting and informative.

PCJ Articles

What Planners Wish Their Planning Commissioners Knew

by Jim Segedy, FAICP, and Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy, AICP

Take note planning commissioners! The Segedys (with apologies to David Letterman) offer their own “top 10” list.

PCJ Articles

Smoothing the Rocky Road

by Jim Segedy, FAICP, and Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy, AICP

Planning commissions often struggle with group dynamics when making decisions on difficult issues. A look at some ways to work better together.

PCJ Articles

Drafting Clear Ordinances: Do’s and Don’ts

by Carolyn Braun, AICP

One of a planner’s most important jobs is drafting clear and understandable ordinances. It’s also a task on which planning commissioners can offer valuable assistance.

Editor's Notes & Interviews

Let’s Meet at the Wayzata Bar and Grill

If your planning commission’s members relax and socialize together after a meeting, it’s a good idea to invite the public too.

PCJ Articles

How Do We Get There?

by Jim Segedy, FAICP, and Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy, AICP

What’s the recipe for successful implementation of your community’s plan? That’s the focus of this installment of the Segedys’ series on preparing the comprehensive plan.

PCJ Articles

Learning to Enjoy Your Service on the Commission

by Elaine Cogan

How can you do a better job as a planning commissioner? Long-time PCJ columnist Elaine Cogan offers some basic principles for your consideration.

Insights

Ten Things to Avoid

by Ric Stephens

Planning consultant (and commissioner) Ric Stephens on ten practices and behaviors for planning commissioners to steer clear of.

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