Do You Have the “Write” Stuff?
Columnist Elaine Cogan on the importance of clear written communications in public notices and postings.
The Effective Planning Commissioner
Long-time Planning Commissioners Journal and PlannersWeb columnist Elaine Cogan focuses on how planning commissioners can do their job most effectively.
What’s Your PMQ (Public Meeting Quotient)?
Elaine Cogan offers some guidelines for designing and carrying out effective public meetings.
Another Meeting?
What do you do when a member of your commission does not fully participate in meetings or commission business?
Just What Is Your Planning Commission’s Role?
Elaine Cogan considers three basic variations in the role planning commissions and commissioners can take.
Consider the Committee
Elaine Cogan on how committees can assist planning commissioners in their work.
Controversial Issues Natural in Planning
As a planning commissioner, how do you deal with controversial projects? Some ideas on how to be more proactive, and less reactive.
Retreat? Advance?
Has your commission been looking for a way to get beyond the regular meeting routine? Some tips on organizing for a successful retreat.
How to Recognize and Relieve Burnout
Elaine Cogan discusses ways of dealing with planning commissioner burnout.
Why Don’t Planning Commissioners Get the Respect They Deserve?
You have to give respect to get respect, says Elaine Cogan in her look at ways in which planning commissioners can gain respect from the public they serve.
Is Your Community Being Invaded by NIMBYs?
Elaine Cogan offers strategies for dealing with NIMBYs when they show up at your meetings. Includes Sidebar, “Some Observations on NIMBY-ism,” by long-time planner, Perry Norton.
Ask Questions Well and You May Even Receive Worthwhile Answers
If you know how to ask questions well, you might even receive worthwhile answers!
Working Effectively With Elected Officials
Columnist Elaine Cogan takes a look at how planning commissioners and citizen planners can work most effectively with local elected officials.
Young Visionaries Make Good Planners
Elaine Cogan on how to involve kids in community planning workshops.
