Setting the Chapter’s Course for 2026 – and How You Can Join Our Team!

Photo Credit: Heather Wright, 2024-2025 Chapter Secretary

The Board began brainstorming this year’s activities at our annual retreat on Dec. 5, 2025, hosted once again by Mithun at their Seattle waterfront office. Highlights included:

• Adoption of a balanced 2026 budget, which includes additional support for the Chapter administrative office and lobbyist to reflect market conditions.
• An ice-breaker activity to learn more about each other and our favorite karaoke songs.
• A Board orientation to get us up to speed on our policies and structure.
• Small-group discussions about ideas to improve engagement with our members at all levels, from emerging planners to mid-level and senior leaders to retirees.
• Initial discussion of 2026 Work Plan items.

The Chapter is in a strong financial position going into 2026, thanks to prudent budget management, and accomplishing 18 of 30 items on the 2025 Work Plan. We will work toward finalizing the 2026 Work Plan starting at the Executive Board’s January 13 meeting. Major focus items are expected to include:

• Overhauling the Chapter website and boosting our LinkedIn presence.
• Completing Chapter’s Board Handbook and Bylaws updates.
• Surveying our members about how we can best serve you.
• Developing strategies for continuing member engagement, sponsorship, and merchandise sales.
• Conducting a Housing “Mini-Academy” for elected officials thanks to support from the APA National Chapter Presidents Council and local sponsors.
• Planning and hosting our October 2026 Annual Conference in Vancouver, WA.

Join our team!

We need volunteers to help support our committees, particularly Communications, Membership, and the Annual Conference. If you can spare even a few hours per month, you can help us better serve our members. As an added bonus, it’s a great way to make connections with other planners throughout the state. Reach out to the APA Office at [email protected] to get involved.