Elaine Cogan

Elaine Cogan, founding principal of the Portland, Oregon planning and communications firm of Cogan Owens Cogan, has consulted for more than 36 years with communities undertaking strategic planning and visioning processes. Elaine has been honored for her work on a variety of citizen involvement projects, including “Complete Communities for Clackamas County,” which received the American Planning Association’s 2002 Public Education Award.

Elaine has joined us as a contributing writer for PlannersWeb.com. Between 1991 and 2009, her “The Effective Planning Commissioner” column ran in the Planning Commissioners Journal. All of her past columns (along with her new ones) are available here.

In 2007, we were pleased to publish Elaine Cogan’s 52-page booklet, Now that You’re on Board: How to Survive … and Thrive … as a Planning Commissioner (out of print, but available online as a pdf to PlannersWeb members).

PCJ Articles

On Commitment

by Elaine Cogan

How do we motivate commissioners to realize being on the planning commission requires a “commitment”? The more I thought about it, the more complex the answer seems to be.

PCJ Articles

Dealing with Commissioners Who Have Too Much to Say

by Elaine Cogan

Last month, we discussed how to handle planning commissioners who have little to say. This time, we are writing about the reverse … those who are overly assertive. By their very nature: loud, obstreperous, interruptive, sometimes rude, boisterous, or garrulous, these people are more likely to disrupt your meeting than the quiet ones we wrote of last month.

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.

PCJ Articles

New to a Planning Commission?

by Elaine Cogan

As you begin to attend meetings, you will find that although many parts of the agenda are routine, there soon is likely to be a controversial or contentious matter. As a first time citizen decision maker, you may be uneasy having to discuss your points of view. But you want to be effective. What are the most important matters you should consider?

Insights

Challenges & Opportunities

Eight of our regular contributing writers take a brief look at various challenges and opportunities facing planning commissions and their communities.

PCJ Articles

The Role for Planning in Sustainable Communities

by Elaine Cogan

Communities throughout the country are see growing interest in sustainable development. Some ideas on how to take sustainability into account.

PCJ Articles

Learn to Speak So People Will Listen

by Elaine Cogan

Planning commissioners can be of great service in speaking to community groups and organizations. Some tips to help you become a more effective speaker.

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.

PCJ Articles

Meaningful Dialogue With the Public

by Elaine Cogan

By engaging in a true dialogue with the public, you may learn some useful information and actually enjoy the give-and-take.

PCJ Articles

The Endemic Problem of Information Overload

by Elaine Cogan

As a planning commissioner, do you sometimes suffer from information overload? Some suggestions for relief.

PCJ Articles

Visioning Can Be Planning Writ Large

by Elaine Cogan

Engaging in a visioning process for your city or town can be an exciting, but challenging, undertaking. A look at the key elements in this process.

PCJ Articles

Consider the Needs of Generation Xers in Your Public Involvement Strategies

by Elaine Cogan

PCJ columnist Elaine Cogan outlines ways of involving younger people in the planning process.