In the Spotlight - Deanna Cambridge, MPLAN, RPP, MCIP, CP3

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The IAP2 Wild Rose Chapter is excited to highlight the outstanding P2 professionals who guide and shape our community of practice in Alberta! 

This month we connected with Deanna Cambridge, MPLAN, RPP, MCIP, CP3 to talk about her career in P2, an unusual school project she worked on, the TV show that best represents her work, her volunteer experiences and more. Below is some of what she had to share.

What song or movie title best describes your career in P2?

It's not a movie or song, but it's a TV show called Parks and Recreation. I would say that's probably both portions of my job. It’s obviously satirical, but it’s the one I would go to.

How did you get into the field of P2 and into your current position?

I did an undergrad of urban and regional studies and then a Masters of Planning. Much of that education is focused on public engagements. It ultimately led me to my current position as the coordinator of long-range planning with Strathcona County, and my primary designation as a registered professional planner. My P2 career has land use planning as the fundamental core.

If you could choose one word to describe your work in P2, what would it be?

I'd say it would be varied. It's very different, every project. Some of my projects are two to three years, some of them are three months. Some of my projects are subdivision development type of files, which is a very different process from say a new city plan. 

What’s one quality or skill that you think is key to success in the field of P2/engagement?

I would say flexibility. We always start with a plan, but I don't know if I've ever stuck to a plan because we react as we go. We adjust based on the level of interest, challenges we’re seeing and other things. 

Do you have any favourite engagement techniques that you find really effective?

I think there's two for me. The one-on-ones because I just feel like you get a lot more open communication when it's in a smaller group. The other is meeting people where they are. We try to go to different societies, committees, advisory boards when they have a scheduled meeting and try to get on an agenda. It can work well to go where people would have been already versus asking them to spend their time with us.

What have you enjoyed most about being an IAP2 volunteer?

I’d say learning new skills has been number one. I've done quite a few things I don't typically do in my day-to-day job. For the P2 Palooza last year, setting up tickets for registration and monitoring attendance and funds - that's not something I would typically do at work. 

If you could switch jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be, and why?

I think it would be a home renovator or landscaper. We’ve done some big renovations on homes – some complete gut jobs and some smaller renovations. I love to take a space, tangibly change it and see a result right away.

What does it mean to you to have your CP3 designation?

The reason I went for the CP3 designation is because my title says land use planning when people hear it. They often don’t understand the level of competency that land use planners have and don’t make the connection to public engagement. I thought earning my CP3 would be a good way to recognize my competency in that area and how big a part of my job it is.

What's the most unusual task you've had to do at work, or the most unusual situation you find yourself in?

When I was an intern, I led this public engagement project that was integrated into the school board's Grade 6 curriculum. It was like this planning 101 program that taught students about planning and how we make decisions. It allowed them to do a mock council meeting, hear from stakeholders and make a land use decision. As part of that, we did a series of videos. I was writing the storyboards and doing the voice-over. I was the narrator, and they called me Miss D. Then at the end of it, the children created their own communities for a planning fair. It was a lot of fun and we won a couple awards. My understanding is that they continued it for several years.

Here's one of those videos featuring Miss D. for anyone who may be interested.

Do you know someone in the field of public participation who you think should be our next member in the spotlight? Email your suggestions to info@iap2wildrose.ca