Please note: This is a Sole Source Notification. The Department of Land Conservation and Development initiated the Oregon Planners Network in conjunction with the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association to provide education and networking opportunities for professional planners in Oregon and local government planning commissioners and elected officials. The American Planning Association, through its national organization and 50 state chapters, is the sole recognized professional association in the United States and Oregon for the planning profession. The Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association is the only known organization in this state that broadly represents professional planners and the planning profession in Oregon. The Planners Network Program includes two sub-components: 1. Professional training in complex subjects for professional planners throughout the state of Oregon. The Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association is the only known and recognized association for professional planners in Oregon, and is affiliated with the American Planning Association, which has chapters in 50 states. 2. Training in planning basics for local government planning commissioners and elected officials. While this segment of the program could be provided by other vendors, these vendors; a) cannot provide the professional training in complex subjects for professional planners described in 1. above, and b) are limited to some local governments, not all - for example, the League of Oregon Cities provides training only to city officials, while the Association of Oregon Counties provides training only to county officials. Additionally, a combined program allows cross-participation by planning commissioners/elected officials in the professional planning segment of the program and cross-participation by professional planners in the planning basics segment of the program.
