INTRODUCTION

The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) represents the planning profession in Canada. The Institute exists to promote excellence in the planning and development of communities. It enforces national standards for admission to the planning profession and its members abide by a code of ethics.

Individuals who wish to become full member’s of the British Columbia affiliate of the Institute, the Planning Institute of BC (PIBC), must record their work experience in a log book. In accordance with the bylaws of the Institute:

• The log book shall set out the 'responsible professional planning experience' of the candidate, reflecting, where possible, the specialized interest of the candidate;
• The log book shall show the duration of time for each item of 'responsible professional planning experience';
• Each item noted in the log book shall have the signature of the supervising full member as witness to the completion of the work described; and
• The composition of the work recorded shall correspond to the definition of planning and to 'responsible professional planning experience'.

THE LOG BOOK

The logbook is a record, which details 'responsible professional planning experience.' It is to be presented in an 8 1/2" by 11" typed format and should be compiled on a regular basis by members, and then, when complete, submitted in conjunction with a formal application for Full Membership.

Each log book entry must be presented in the following format:

• Position Held
• Employer/Client Name and Address
• Time and Duration of Experience
• Reporting Relationship
• Description of Experience
• Dated Signature of Candidate
• Dated signature of supervisor and the sponsoring full member attesting as follows:
• "As the supervisor of (insert name of candidate) and as a full member of PIBC, I hereby confirm that the preceding description of the candidates work is accurate and that it meets the Institute's definition of responsible professional planning experience."

If the supervisor is not a full member, both the supervisor and a sponsoring full member must provide an attestation statement. Be sure all signature(s) are legible.

The Log Book is the property of the Institute and is subject to audit.

WHAT IS 'RESPONSIBLE PROFESSIONAL
PLANNING EXPERIENCE'?

To answer this question you need to understand the Institute's definition of two key terms, 'planning' and 'responsible professional planning experience'.

'Planning' means the planning of the scientific, aesthetic and orderly disposition of land, resources, facilities and services with a view to securing the physical, economic and social efficiency, health and well-being of urban and rural communities.

'Responsible Professional Planning Experience' means:

• Work comprising analysis, projection, design or program development which specifically requires consideration of the inter-relationships of space and time among resources, facilities and activities and which expresses this consideration in a manner to influence the disposition of land or the allocation of resources, facilities or services;
• Work which shows a specific relationship to public policies or programs for controlling or influencing the development of communities;
• Work which comprises a substantive component of initiative, judgement, substantial involvement and personal accountability or definition or preparation of significant elements of the programs of work; and
• Work which is undertaken in Canada and any country that has formal reciprocity agreement with the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP).

The Institute interprets as valid experience
all time spent as follows:

• The preparation of comprehensive community, regional, resource, strategic and related plans or major sections of plans;
• Directing the work of others in the preparation of such plans;
• Establishing the foundation and framework for planning as in the preparation of planning legislation or in the conduct of basic planning research;
• Directing the legal or administrative work in making, interpreting or enforcing plans; and
• Other positions of comparable responsibility or requiring comparable planning skill such as a planning director, a planning consultant, a member of a planning or policy staff in direct charge of significant planning work, professors of planning in a recognized school of planning.

In summary, the description of experience should answer four essential questions:

• Is the Institute's definition of planning able to be seen?
• Are (any of) the recognized "substantive elements" of the planning function clearly expressed?
• Is the level of responsibility shown?
• Is "public interest" addressed?

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PRIVATE CONSULTANT EXAMPLE

Record of relevant planning experience for ________________ from November 1, 1992 to August 31, 1993.

Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (6 months)

During this period, I was engaged primarily to conduct a socio-economic impact assessment for an environmental assessment being undertaken by BC Hydro. This project involved a proposal to add a third generating station along the Columbia River, upstream from Castlegar. Each of the reports described the existing environment, predicted effects during construction and operation of the generating station, and recommended impact management measures to address the anticipated impacts.

Because of the large workforce involved, much of the assessment focused on the effects during construction. My responsibilities involved project management for the work components assigned to our firm, supervision of several surveys, including a survey of motel operators in the area, research and analysis, report writing, presentations to Provincial agencies and a citizen's liaison committee.

Three separate reference documents were prepared:

• Local Economy,
• Community and Social Services, and
• Housing and Property Values.

These documents have been submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, as well as other ministries, public agencies and interested parties as part of the background documentation for BC Hydro Environmental Assessment.

Development Cost Charge Studies (2 months)

During this period, I was engaged in the conduct of development cost charge studies for a number of municipalities. The purpose was to assist the municipalities in meeting the requirements of the Municipal Act, Section 983. These charges are intended to enable the municipality to recover the cost of capital expenditures attributable to growth.

To determine the appropriate charge, I undertook a number of tasks for each client:

• Review of the municipality's existing system for imposing charges against development through existing bylaws, rezoning agreements, subdivision agreements and other means;
• Identification and description of growth areas;
• Preparation of a 10-year residential and non-residential growth forecast;
• Interviews with municipal staff to identify capital expenditures to be incurred over the next ten years to accommodate the anticipated growth and to determine the share of these expenditures which benefit existing development;
• Preparation of a report which sets out the growth forecast, growth related capital expenditures and recommended charges for residential and non-residential development; and
• Presentation of the report to municipal council.

As the supervisor of ____________________ and as a full member of PIBC, I hereby confirm that the preceding description of the candidate's work is accurate and that it meets the Institute's definition of 'responsible professional planning experience'.

J. D. Smith
Date

LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXAMPLE

Planner 2

District of _________________

January 1, 1994 to April 30, 1995 (16 months)

Policy Matters

Forest Study

• Review agreement between District and consultant retained to assist the District in preparing a new land use plan and environmental management program for the Coastal Forest Area;
• Conduct meetings between the District's consultant and District staff to explain the Terms of Reference and to provide direction and advice to the consultant on the approach to the project;
• Review consultant's draft Phase 1 report; and
• Forward draft report to relevant agencies and individuals for comment.

Hamlet Study

• Finalize work program for the Hamlet Study;
• Prepare questionnaire to gather information on area residents' attitudes and perceptions on growth;
• Gather background information on factors affecting growth;
• Analyze questionnaire results and identify possible growth strategy for hamlet;
• Prepare information package for Public Meeting;
• Present information at Public Meeting and respond to questions and comments from the public;
• Evaluate comments received; and
• Prepare report to Council recommending that the hamlet be designated a Hamlet (final editing of report by Manager; report signed by Director).

Hamlet of Bigtown OCP Review

• Analyze questionnaire results;
• Formulate preliminary recommendation on whether hamlet should expand and on whether changes to the existing OCP are warranted;
• Prepare information package identifying possible growth strategy for hamlet;
• Present results at Public Meeting and respond to questions and comments from the public;
• Evaluate comments received and identify outstanding issues to be addressed; and
• With assistance of local ratepayer organization, arrange a meeting of a 'working group' of residents to discuss issues in more detail (District staff attending included the Manager and myself).

Rural Area and Golf Course Policy Review

• Conduct background research on municipal approaches to regulating golf courses in rural areas; and
• Prepare draft rural area and golf course policies within the larger context of agricultural area policies and report to Council (final editing of policy and report by Manager; report signed by Manager and Director).

Research and Special Projects

"Options for a Green Land Strategy" represent the District at a regional meeting at which staff from the region present and discuss the findings of the Green Land Strategy; review and comment to the manager on the report.

Implementation Matters

Applications

• Assigned several new development proposals for review;
• Responsible for official plan, draft plan of subdivision and zoning bylaw amendment applications connected with each proposal;
• Types of proposals include residential high density seniors complex, low density residential, hamlet residential, estate residential, office commercial and mixed residential-office-commercial uses; processing includes:
• liaison with developers, consultants, relevant agencies and area residents;
• evaluating supporting engineering reports;
• evaluating comments received on the proposal;
• reviewing and analyzing the proposals;
• preparing information reports;
• presenting development proposals at statutory public meetings;
• formulating professional planning recommendations; and
• preparing planning reports to Council (final editing of reports by manager).

Preliminary proposals provide preliminary planning advice and comment on various proposals, including a mixed residential-office-retail project and a golf course expansion.

As the supervisor of ____________________, I hereby confirm that the preceding description of the candidate's work is accurate.

Jane Doe, Manager
Date

As the sponsoring full member of _____________________, I hereby confirm that the above statement of the candidate's responsible professional planning work meets the Institute's definition of 'responsible professional planning experience'.

Don Smith, Full member of PIBC
Date

The do's and don'ts of telling us about your experience

• Do not forget, the log book is the basis by which the Membership Committee must determine acceptability for membership. It is meant to get the candidate thinking about the process of planning, planning issues and just what is planning. It is not meant to discourage.
• Do not submit a hand-written log book or examples of work. Hand-written logs are a chore to read and, while reviewing planning documents can keep the Membership Committee on top of what is happening, it does not convey the candidate's role. Also, remember that we are volunteers, and as volunteers, our time is limited.
• Do not send us a job description or resume.
• Do not forget that all work in a Planning Department is not 'responsible professional planning experience'.
• Do not submit totals of how many subdivisions, rezoning, etc. that you dealt with. Understanding is the key, not volume.
• Do not think you have to submit a book. Length is not an indication of quality or understanding. Short, incisive logs that show a grasp of planning are really, what hits the mark.
• Do make sure that your experience is relevant. Do not submit experience such as attendance at seminars, setting up displays or preparing meeting notices. In addition, schooling or time spent acquiring academic training is not considered as part of an individual's qualifying professional planning experience, including in most cases summer or part-time employment while doing course work.
• Do make sure to distinguish between your work and that of your supervisor's.
• Finally, do feel free to seek guidance from your sponsors and members of the Membership Committee.