ASLA-CLARB Licensure Summit a Success
Participants will carry forward lessons for the profession to act proactively to stay ahead of policy developments and ensure that licensure continues serving public health, safety, and welfare.
Matthew Gallagher
2023-07-11
On June 21, ASLA and CLARB partnered to bring Chapter and Licensure Board members together for a half-day virtual Licensure Summit focused on building strong, effective, and appropriate relationships. Panels of speakers provided insights on how to communicate the value of licensure to policymakers and share information in a way that keeps the interest of policymakers. A recording of the event is available.
The event opened with remarks by ASLA CEO, Torey Carter-Conneen and CLARB CEO, Matt Miller. The day concluded with a call-to-action by ASLA President, Emily O’Mahoney, FASLA and CLARB President, Carisa McMullen. Additional ASLA member presenters included: former State Representative Greg Duckworth (FASLA), Bryce Olberding, Jen Wagner, Brent Luck, Kevin White, and Nancy Hoines. Non-ASLA member speakers included Marta Zaniewski, Executive Director of the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing and Christina Vessels, attorney with Venable Law Firm.
The event garnered 135 participants across 41 ASLA Chapters and state licensing boards. Participants will carry forward lessons for the profession to act proactively to stay ahead of policy developments and ensure that licensure continues serving public health, safety, and welfare.
A key takeaway from the Summit: relationships are a two-way street and critical to cultivate at the local, state, and national levels. Landscape architects may ask for policy support and can support the goals of policymakers. Whether a legislator wants to improve transportation systems, expedite permitting, grow the economy, or make progress on climate commitments, licensed landscape architects are able to contribute unique skills and perspectives that policymakers can rely on. Pursuing these types of relationships will exponentially raise awareness and appreciation for the profession.
ASLA offers many resources to help facilitate relationships with policymakers and others on its Advocacy FAQ webpage.