We may only be halfway through 2025 and soaking up summer sunshine but the RTPI, like many others, is already looking ahead to 2026 and the chilly days of January.
Our teams are considering their next steps, setting projects in motion and making exciting plans for what we will deliver for our members in 2026. And, as always, we will need the expertise and ideas of our members to help us turn those plans into reality.
We are calling for all members, from any membership class, sector or background, to consider being part of the RTPI’s journey in 2026.
So if you are a passionate advocate for the planning profession and want to get involved, then why not nominate yourself? Roles available in 2026 are Vice President (President in 2027), Chair of the Board of Trustees, chartered Trustees of the Board and General Assembly representatives (student/licentiate, legal associate, associate or chartered).
Visit our Volunteer/Governance Roles page for information about the different roles.
And hear from members who have played key roles at the RTPI on why they nominated themselves and what happened next!
Lindsey Richards Vice President 2023, President 2024 and Immediate Past President 2025
Step forward and give back. That was at the forefront in putting myself forward for Vice President of a profession I have been part of for approaching 40 years. I’ve lived and breathed planning for my entire career, it’s been tough at times but I believe in the valuable contribution we make as planners, to both local communities and the economy. So to be positioned to be an ambassador for the profession and represent planners was an absolute honour and being part of the presidential team for 3 years lived up to all I hoped for, and much more.
Looking back there were many highlights, including conferences, round tables, forums and some international travel, but visiting the Nations and Regions and meeting members is the most rewarding part of the year. I heard about excellence in teams, leadership and in projects, I saw commitment and dedication but I also heard about concerns, experiences and at times pain, I listened and relayed back those very pertinent messages.
Last year I talked often about planning being under attack, and I feel as a profession we have been listened to. I feel we have turned a corner perhaps, but there remain more ahead, including level 7 apprenticeships, Local Authority resourcing and calling out negative social media.
There remains a job to do so I say think about Stepping forward and giving back. I guarantee you will find volunteering rewarding. For me representing the profession as President has been the highlight of my career.
Dylan Lewis-Creser: Student/Licentiate Member of the General Assembly
I applied to be a student member of the General Assembly because I thought it would be very useful for my understanding of the wider profession outside the classroom, and because it's very important to me that students are listened to - we are the future of this profession and have valuable expertise that people we think might know everything need and want to know!
My two years on the General Assembly has been great; networking and meeting interesting people, getting to join in on conversations around the future of planning, interesting things happening out in the world, and how the RTPI is helping the whole membership, has been great!
I also have sat on the England Policy Committee for the past two years, and that has really been so helpful to me from an academic and a career perspective. I would really recommend standing to be a student/licentiate rep.
John Scott: Chartered Member of the General Assembly
I have been a Chartered Member of the GA for the last 2 years, having been through the election process for the first time (I had previously served on GA as the regional representative for the East Midlands). The election process initially felt a bit daunting, but it was actually quite straightforward. Despite having been a Planner for nearly 40 years and having been involved at regional level withe Institute, I questioned why people would vote for me. However, I focussed on what I felt I had to offer, which was many years’ experience working in National Parks and on rural planning issues - we all have something that is important to the profession and which we can represent on behalf of others, so don't undervalue yourself.
The meetings themselves have been really interesting, with very varied agendas, normally focussing on the Institute and supporting planners in the morning and then planning (policy, research, practice) in the afternoon. I usually arrive thinking that I will be in "listening mode", but invariably get involved in the Q&A sessions and the roundtable discussions.
Since joining the GA, I’ve also became a member of the Membership and Ethics Standing Committee, which has been a great experience. It's great to be able to meet a wide range of people who are enthusiastic about the profession and to get out of my own "bubble". I have found that my membership of the RTPI (and paying my annual subscription) feels much more worthwhile when I can participate in developing the policy of the Institute and the promotion of Planning as a profession.
Give it a try, I don't think you will regret it.