Here is an excerpt from a great article written by NCI alumni, Susan H. Cipperly, also a 2007 Irving Hand Professional Development Award Recipient “One thing I have been aware of during my career as a planner is that unless a comprehensive plan is created with the active involvement of community representatives and government officials, it is most likely to be relegated to a shelf or corner of a Web site and not really consulted or used very much. I have also noted that the general lack of training in planning schools with regard to eliciting the input of the community for whom the plan is being created. Newly-minted planners have been taught the history of planning, trends, zoning techniques, etc., but very few have been schooled in public relations, meeting dynamics and facilitation techniques that really are crucial to being effective in the field of planning.”  To read more of this article view it here.