Highlights
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2008 LARE Review Class Registration is Open

Florida Chapter ASLA Legal and Legislative Update

2008 FLASLA Design Awards Program Information

April 2008 is National Landscape Architecture Month

Sponsorship Opportunites for the 2008 FLASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO

Education Committee sets goal to provide a two-year calendar, matching the license renewal cycle

Chapter President’s Message – March 2008
Richard Rome, ASLA

The formulation of the 2008 Florida Chapter ASLA Strategic Plan continues to move forward with an anticipated publication date of April 19th. The plan will identify the priorities of the Chapter’s leadership as well as the means toward their accomplishment. The priorities of the Chapter will be purposely limited in number so that members are able to focus on the type of systematic and incremental change that assures long-term sustainability of volunteer efforts in support of the profession. The selected priorities include a reasonable timetable for their accomplishment, realistic assessment of associated costs, and designated “champions” to lead other volunteers in the necessary efforts to make them a reality. The Chapter’s paid staff and carefully selected consultants will provide additional resources to increase the effectiveness of the volunteers’ time and energy spent on behalf of the profession.

The 2008 Florida Chapter ASLA Strategic Plan embraces a concept vital to all voluntary organizations, that of a leadership ladder whereby current leaders enjoy the experience of past holders of the same leadership position and share their own experiences with future holders of the position of leadership. For this concept to work, leaders must truly desire an on-going and constantly evolving effort that provides all members equal access and opportunities for meaningful contributions to the organization.

The formalization of this three-tier approach to a FLASLA leadership ladder, which has been in place for the President’s position within the Chapter for a number of years, assists in both the development and retention of leadership among volunteers and removes some of the anxiety associated with serving in a leadership role. Voluntary organizations have traditionally expected only a small portion of their members to be actively engaged in the on-going management of other’s time and resources. Increasing this number among FLASLA members is essential not only to the organization, but also to the profession itself. Recent graduates, recently licensed professionals, and other emerging professionals must rise to the challenge of replenishing the leadership ladder of their professional society.

Envisioning a future is both invigorating and exciting, but the vision must evolve into a plan. Compromise and negotiation building to a final consensus that brings all participants together is the goal. A workable plan builds upon past successes, recognizes and accepts current challenges, and puts into place discrete and reasonable tasks for all participants using identifiable resources. More information regarding the on-going work to construct the 2008 Florida Chapter ASLA Strategic Plan is available from your Section Chair. All members are encouraged to contact one of the Chapter’s elected or appointed leaders to provide their personal perspective on the future priorities of the Florida Chapter, and all members are encouraged to participate in the leadership training activities scheduled for every Section.

Previous Chapter President's Messages

In Memory of Marvin Lanier Sanders

WILLISTON — Marvin Lanier Sanders, former chairman of the Fort Lauderdale Planning and Zoning Board and a prominent land planner, died suddenly in January. Marvin, 62, suffered a heart attack and died while awaiting surgery at Broward General Medical Center.

A native of Williston, South Carolina, Marvin was a son of the late Sidney Lanier and Thelma Bazzel Sanders. Marvin moved to Florida in the late 1970s and formed Sanders Planning Group, P.A. in 1982. The firm was responsible for numerous development master plans in Broward and Palm Beach counties. He was also a strong advocate of community preservation, often in the forefront of efforts to protect his old Fort Lauderdale Colee Hammock neighborhood from high-density development. “He thoroughly enjoyed standing up for what was right,” said his brother Stephen O. Sanders. “He was very much interested in things being done fairly and right. His knowledge of land planning, codes and zoning was probably unparalleled in this part of the state.”

Marvin earned a Bachelor’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Clemson University and a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia. He became a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1981. He was a supporter of Clemson’s athletic programs, and an avid fan who attended all home football games. “When mama was still alive he’d fly to Charleston and pick her up and go to the games, and my son and I used to join him in those nice seats in the lower deck,” said his brother Steve.

Marvin joined the faculty at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the late 1970's where he taught design classes.  Sanders maintained his friendship with several of the professors over many years. Buck Abbey who was a young assistant professor when Marvin joined the faculty remembers Sanders as an "intelligent, dedicated design teacher who by example demonstrated to his students’ professionalism and attention to design detail."  Sanders influenced many LSU graduates who have spread out around the world and would remember "Marvin's wit and quick smiles," said Abbey. Prior to teaching at LSU Marvin worked for EDAW in Hawaii where he spent several years after graduating from Clemson University and the University of Georgia.  In addition to his brother, Marvin is survived by sister-in-law, Beth Sanders, a nephew, Adam, and a niece, Rachel.

2008 FDOT District 4 Highway Landscape Management Seminar
April 16, 2008
Wednesday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm

FDOT D4 Headquarters Auditorium
3400 W. Commercial Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, Fl

8 CECs are available from Florida Board of Landscape Architects: FDOT is the approved provider.

FDOT & Broward Section of FLASLA are pleased to offer a one day seminar on safe design for landscaped roadsides in compliance with the Florida DOT Plan Preparation Manual, the Florida Design Standards, and the 2002 AASHTO Roadside Design Guide. This course has been updated to reflect the best design practices throughout Florida and the country. This course is critical for new and experienced Landscape Architects, Engineers, and Designers.

This is the fourth year for this popular course and you must reserve a spot early; the number of registrations for LA’s is limited to 75. Lunch, drinks and snacks will be provided. Cost is $55.00 for ASLA members and associates and Profession Engineers and $90.00 for other professionals. The notebook for the course is $20.00 but must be reserved at time of registration and will be available after registration closes on April 3, 2008. Fees will be collected at the door. Contact: Mike Oliver at moliver@keithandschnars.com for particulars and registration.