By Libby Tyler, FAICP, Northern Director
It has been over four years since our Section Bylaws were last amended. Over the past several months, the Executive Committee has discussed several potential changes to better reflect our current needs. Past Director Michael Cass, with the help of current Director Libby Tyler, FAICP, and Direct-Elect Jeff Bond, AICP, has prepared a draft Bylaw markup. The proposed changes were discussed at the November 20, 2025, and March 19, 2026, Board meetings.
In accordance with Section 9.2 of the Section Bylaws, an amendment shall be presented to the Section Board in writing and placed for member review on the Section website prior to a vote. A two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the filled seats of the Board shall be required to approve amendments to the bylaws. We expect to hold a Board vote to approve the amendments via an email vote prior to the May 21, 2026, meeting.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns by May 15, 2026, by reaching out to Libby or Jeff at [email protected] or [email protected], respectively.
Required Articles: The bylaws must include 10 articles covering topics such as section name, purposes, membership, board structure, duties, elections, meetings, financial policies, amendments, ethics, and dissolution.
Below is a summary of the key points: Section Bylaws
Key Articles
- Section Name and Area Served: APA California Northern, serving 15 counties in Northern California. It operates as a non-profit under APA California, a 501(c)(6) organization.
- Purposes: The section aims to promote planning-related activities, provide education, increase public awareness of planning, encourage ethics and professionalism, and foster community among members.
- Membership: Automatic for APA California members residing in the section’s geographic area. Non-resident members and Chapter-Only members have specific roles and restrictions.
- Section Board of Directors: The board consists of elected and appointed officers responsible for the section’s operations. Elected officers include the Section Director, Director-Elect, Administrative Director, and Treasurer. Appointed officers have voting rights and can be removed by the Section Director with approval from other elected officers.
- Duties of Directors and Officers: Detailed responsibilities are outlined for each elected and appointed officer, including roles such as Section Director, Director-Elect, Treasurer, and various program directors (e.g., Diversity Director, Events Program Manager, Communications Director).
- Elections and Terms: Elected officers serve two-year terms, with specific election procedures, nomination requirements, and voting processes. Vacancies can be filled by interim appointments or special elections.
- Meetings: Regular, executive, and emergency meetings are outlined, including quorum requirements and decision-making procedures.
- Financial Policies: Section finances must align with Chapter bylaws and financial policies, including budget adoption, revenue sources, reimbursement requirements, and reserve policies.
- Amendments and Referendums: Bylaws can be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Section Board. Members can petition for initiatives or referendums with 10% of member signatures.
- Ethics, Conflict of Interest, and Public Statements: Board members must adhere to the AICP Code of Ethics, disclose conflicts of interest, and follow procedures for making public statements on Section policy or positions.
- Indemnification and Dissolution: Board members are indemnified under California law, and the Section will be dissolved if the Chapter is dissolved.
Additional Provisions
- Committees: The Section Board may establish committees to address specific activities or issues. Committees report directly to the board but do not have voting rights unless the member is also a voting board member.
- Independent Contractors, Interns, and Speakers: Guidelines for contracting with independent contractors, unpaid interns, and speakers are provided, covering labor law compliance and ethical considerations.
Key Changes
- Adjustments to terms of office for elected officers.
- Clarifications on nomination, election, and voting procedures.
- Updates to financial policies and labor law compliance for contractors and interns.
This document serves as a comprehensive guide for the governance, operations, and responsibilities of the APA California — Northern.