Monadnock Region Planner of the Year: Call for Nominations
- April 22, 2025
- Planning
Shine a Light on Local Leaders Planning for the Future
The Monadnock Region is filled with municipal staff and volunteers that are helping their communities plan for a bright future. Some are serving planning boards, ZBAs, a conservation commission, or other municipal committees. Others work as municipal staff who have dedicated their careers to public service. Some are helping develop forward-looking plans or policies that guide local action on key issues such as housing, energy, transportation, natural resources, economic development—issues that are fundamental to prosperity and wellbeing of the region. Others are spearheading community projects or programs that breathe new life into an underutilized property, facilitate new community connections, expand recreational opportunities, or otherwise help their town thrive. Planners come in a variety of flavors.
They often, though, share some traits in common. They’re typically not self-promoters. They’re willing to lead, but they’d rather shine the spotlight on the work itself or the accomplishments of others. They can see the long-term benefit of work that often isn’t flashy. They care deeply about the communities they serve.
Perhaps you know someone like this. Odds are, you know more than one. Precisely because these community planners aren’t in it for fame or glory, they and their contributions deserve to be recognized. With this aim in mind, Southwest Region Planning Commission is seeking nominations for the Monadnock Region Planner of the Year. The award is a first of its kind and seeks to highlight the service of both volunteer and professional planners in the region.
Nominations are due by May 16, 2025. The awardee will be honored at SWRPC’s Annual Meeting, scheduled for the evening of June 3rd.
Eligibility
Both volunteer and professional planners serving an SWRPC member municipality are eligible. “Planner” is broadly defined and need not be in the nominee’s title or job description. Nominations are welcome on behalf of anyone who has helped spearhead a local planning initiative, develop or reform local policy, implement a community project, or has otherwise demonstrated leadership on a local planning issue.
Criteria
There is no single recipe for what makes an effective community planner. However, the following are some characteristics that we’ll consider when reviewing nominations.
- Community impact and results. Recognizes tangible improvements—new policies adopted, projects built, programs launched—that advance housing, energy, transportation, natural‑resource stewardship, recreation, or economic vitality.
- Vision & innovation. Rewards forward‑looking ideas, creative problem‑solving, and the ability to translate an aspirational vision into actionable plans that address long‑term community needs.
- Leadership and initiative. Rewards forward‑looking ideas, creative problem‑solving, and the ability to translate an aspirational vision into actionable plans that address long‑term community needs.
- Collaboration & relationship‑building. Values the coalition‑building that good planning requires—working across boards, departments, organizations, and the public to reach consensus.
- Inclusivity and relationship building. Recognizes efforts to broaden participation, give voice to under‑represented groups, and foster community ownership of outcomes.
- Stewardship and sustainability. Rewards strategies that balance present needs with future resilience—environmental, fiscal, and social.
- Dedication to public service. Celebrates sustained commitment, integrity, and humility—hallmarks of planners who “make the work shine” rather than themselves.
