Happy New Year Everyone!
Kevin Monohan here, doing my thing as president and welcoming you all to 2021.
2020 was a trying year for all of us. With a new year upon us, let’s take this moment to highlight some of our good fortune.
A Giving Community
This spring when we entered the Shutdown and weeks of uncertainty, we had
fellow designers to reach out to on our Google Group. With our individual
generosity and collective brain we negotiated the Paycheck Protection
Program (PPP) process and got right back to work with the opening of Phase
2.
Plentiful Work
Unlike the previous economic recession, this time our local Seattle
industry actually seems to be seeing an increase in demand as more folks
stuck in their houses realize the value of investing in their homes and
recognize the many benefits of outdoor living spaces.
New Members
Our chapter even attracted several new members whom we hope to meet in
person soon.
Staying Connected
Pretty quickly we were using virtual meeting platforms to keep us chugging
along. Our events became webinars and our regional POD groups got on Zoom.
I’ll use this as a segue to the heart of this month’s newsletter, our Peer
Organized Discussion (POD) Program, a wonderful way that our local
community has been able to keep in touch.
So without further ado, brought to you by our awesome volunteers on the Membership Committee (especially Gretchen Bauer), please check out and take advantage of our POD Program described below. Thank you.
Kevin
Looking at Plans (Pre-pandemic) - Photo by Leanne Goulding
Peer Organized Discussions (POD) Program
Open Enrollment – ALL Professional APLDWA Members Are Welcome!
The POD program originally began as the Emerging Professionals Program (EPP) which connected new designers with seasoned mentors in small groups called pods. Each pod met periodically throughout the year and discussed issues that were pertinent to its individual members.
Since participants with all levels of expertise have expressed enthusiasm for the program’s colleague collaboration, use of time, mentor expertise, and comradery, the program has been renamed Peer Organized Discussion (POD). Providing guidance for designers in the early years of their career still continues to be the main emphasis of the program but even the more experienced are reaping benefits.
The program is structured to suit its POD members’ needs. In general, each POD:
- is comprised of members who live in the same geographical area; meetings occur at a mutually agreed location or video conference,
- has 3-9 members and a mentor,
- meets every 4-6 weeks; this is determined by the POD members,
- sets an agenda ahead of time and discusses topics timely to its members; meetings are respectful of people’s time,
- is collaborative in nature,
- has consistent attendance by members (this is crucial for the program to work well),
- respects each other’s knowledge, experience level, and aesthetics,
- is committed to supporting the needs of our newest designers.
PODs are open for enrollment anytime. Every practicing professional designer in APLDWA is welcome to join – certified, qualified professional, professional and emerging professional members. This is another wonderful way APLDWA facilitates connecting as designers and advancing the profession. We’d love to have you participate! (Student members, because you are not yet peers and have unique needs, this program is not open to you; we’re happy to include you once your education training is complete and you transition to an emerging professional membership.)
If the program components listed above sound like a good fit for you,
please send the following information to Gretchen Bauer:
g.bauer.design@gmail.com
1. Your name and contact info (email and phone)
2. Your company name
3. Years of experience
4. Your city and zip code
5. Are you interested in acting as a mentor?
APLD - We define landscape design
The Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) is an international organization founded in 1989. Its mission is to advance the profession of landscape design and to promote the recognition of landscape designers as qualified and dedicated professionals. APLD members adhere to a code of professional standards, encourage continuing education and stay up to date on new developments and the latest trends. The APLD certification program—the only one of its kind—provides professional recognition to designers who successfully undergo a rigorous peer-review process. Professional designers can help consumers achieve the gardens they truly desire.
Why Hire a Designer?
Hiring a professional landscape designer is one of the smartest investment decisions you can make. Designers trained in the principles of garden design and horticulture can help their clients avoid costly mistakes that can turn the dream of an outdoor haven into a nightmare. Professional landscape designers follow fundamental design concepts—proportion, unity, balance, perspective, color and texture—that can bring about a fully integrated design. Their comprehensive knowledge of plants means the right plant will grow to the right size for the right place in your garden. They are skilled communicators and planners who work with contractors, vendors, local governments, and others to complete successful projects. Professional landscape designers are also aware of our natural environment and promote sustainable practices whenever possible. They are inspired by the creative process, by great design and, most of all, by their clients’ needs, wants and dreams. Find a Designer.
APLDWA Featured Designer:
Kevin Monohan
Avalon NW Landscape LLCMember since 2013
Kevin Monohan, Avalon NW Landscape LLC
Why / how did you become interested in Landscape Design?
This has been my thing for quite a while. In high school, I learned Oregon State had a program called Ornamental Horticulture. I liked to be outside in the forest and I liked to draw, so designing landscapes seemed like a good idea. I was 17 and looking for a path out of our small logging town. I joined the program. Turns out, I really liked it.