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COGWorks

COGWorks is an initiative within the Land of Sky Regional Council’s Economic and Community Development Division. This initiative aims to provide learning, training, and networking opportunities around emerging issues in Western North Carolina. Opportunities within this initiative take the form of free or low-cost educational sessions with choice speakers covering a variety of topics. COGWorks sessions provide CM credits, which are essential for AICP planners, and opportunities for networking and education. All sessions are sponsored by NC-APA.

2024 Session Schedule

This page is updated quarterly with session details, credit amounts, and registration links.

MARCH

Generative AI Strategies for Small Towns (1.5 CM Credits)

March 15, 2024 | 1:00 – 2:30 pm | Virtual | Free

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), ranging from large language models to image generation, possesses a wide range of civic applications that can expand the capacity of planners and their organizations. Many local governments are exploring applications of generative AI in governance including applications such as ChatBots, plan evaluation, memo drafting, automation of administrative tasks, synthesizing public feedback, and enhancing data analysis methods. These applications create new tools for practitioners to use to improve the quality of work and speed of delivery for governments of all shapes and sizes. 

This session, hosted by the APA's Technology Division and Land of Sky Regional Council's COGWorks Program, focuses on how municipal planning departments can utilize language models and similar technologies to enhance staff capacity. This session will discuss the risks and benefits of this technology, emerging applications, and provide a brief tutorial on how to apply the technology in a planning context. While this technology cannot replace staff members, it is a tool that may enable practitioners, particularly in small rural municipalities, to better serve their communities.

Registration Link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CWZCAfTaSiS1pbHhDWi7oA#/registration 

MAY

AI Summit: Reaching New Heights with AI (5.5 CM Credits CM# 9290178)
May 30, 2024 | 9:30 am – 4:00 pm | In-Person | $30.00 

The program will include speakers on AI development, machine learning, data analytics, ethical AI use, and industry-specific AI applications. This event will attract technology professionals, researchers, business leaders, educators, and AI enthusiasts. There will be networking opportunities for attendees to connect, share ideas, and form collaborations. The purpose of the conference is to foster learning, inspire innovation, and promote integration in various sectors. This is an in-person only event and registration is required. A full agenda of the conference is available at https://www.mountainareaworks.org/wnc-ai-forum/ 

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ai-conference-tickets-814197896827 

Fair Housing Training (2.5 CM Credits CM# 9290323)
May 22, 2024 | Multiple Sessions | Virtual | Free 

Join Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Fair Housing Project, Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, and the Land of Sky Council of Government, for two free Fair Housing Requirements and Rights training sessions at the Dr. Wesley Grant Dr. Southside Community Center. This is an in-person only event and registration is required. 

(1) Morning Session 10am – 11am: Fair Housing: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Requirements for HUD Funded Grantees & Protections Against Housing Discrimination | Topics presented will include: 

  • History of the Fair Housing Act 
  • Basics of Fair Housing Law 
  • Fair Housing & Affordable Housing Development 
  • Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing - fair housing requirements for recipients and subrecipients of HUD funding (including CDBG and HOME). 

(2) Afternoon Session 1-2:30pm: Basics of Fair Housing: Know Your Rights General Training | The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on a person’s Race, Color, Religion, National Origin, Sex, Familial Status, or Disability (handicap). Topics presented will include: 

  • Fair Housing Law 
  • Who is Protected by the Fair Housing Act? 
  • Who Must Comply with the Fair Housing Act? 
  • What are the Rights of Tenants with Disabilities whether physical or mental (including reasonable accommodation and modification requests)? 
  • How does the FHA apply to housing decisions based on criminal records 
  • How can I make a complaint? Who can I contact for help? 

Registration: https://publicinput.com/f1602  

SEPTEMBER

Planning Ethics (1.0 Ethics CM Credits PENDING)
September 27, 2024 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Virtual | Free 

This session provides professional planners, with and without AICP certification, with a thorough and thoughtful discussion of ethical concerns that planners are likely to face in their careers. Planning serves to create a better future, which necessitates planners examine their own values and ethics as they pursue their work. This session overviews the importance of ethics in the planning field and the AICP Code of Ethics. Attendees will participate in scenario discussions in break-out groups moderated by an excellent group of panelists. Time for discussion and questions and answers will be set aside at the close of the session. Attendees will leave this course with knowledge of the current code of ethics in theory and practice. 

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qzvBDr_PSl2wVxt-tCUBRw 

The sessions are co-sponsored by APA-NC Section 1.