Peer Organized Discussion (POD)

This small group setting, composed of members with various levels of experience and a mentor, is a forum for discussing issues related to landscape design and our individual practices.

All APLDWA members are eligible to join a POD group. Each POD meets periodically throughout the year to support and discuss issues that are pertinent to its individual members. Mentors in each POD help to coordinate topics and logistics.

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 for about 2hrs; 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, respects each other’s knowledge, experience level, and aesthetics.

• is committed to supporting the needs of our newest designers.

Currently APLDWA has 5 PODs
in the Seattle area

Eastside (Sammamish, Kirkland, Bellevue, North Bend)
Co-facilitators - Gretchen Bauer and Laura Kleppe

West/South Seattle (Rainier Valley, Madison Park, West Seattle, Madrona)
Facilitator - Katrina Perekrestenko

Central Seattle (Wallingford, Greenlake, Ballard, Mapleleaf)
Facilitator - Jessica Souyoultzis

North End (Seattle, Shoreline, Lynnwood, Lake Forest Park)
Facilitator - Kathy Svajdlenka

South Sound (Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge Island)
Facilitator - Susan Ryan

Please email contactus@apldwa.org to connect with our POD Manager, Kevin Monohan, for POD assignment
or to arrange a presentation or tour of your business.