SERVING AMERICA'S RURAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING PROFESSIONALS

RPO America (Rural Planning Organizations of America) was established by the NADO Board of Directors to serve as the national professional association for rural transportation planning professionals, practitioners and other interested stakeholders. Founded in June 2006, RPO America is a program affiliate of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and the NADO Research Foundation.

Complete the RPO America contact form: pdf form | Online

2007 National RPO Council of Peers: PDF List

Remarks on RPO America Formation: Senator Bond (R-MO) | Rep. Oberstar (D-MN)

Presentations from the January 2007 RPO Council Meeting

• Transportation Planning Capacity Building, Rob Ritter, FHWA
  
• FHWA Office of Planning FY2007 Update, Rob Ritter, FHWA
  
• FTA Office of Systems Planning 2007 Update, Charles Goodman, FTA
  
• National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, Kent Van Landuyt, Missouri Department of Transportation
  
• Setting the Stage: What is the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety? Gina Baas, University of Minnesota's Center for Excellence in Rural Safety
  
• American Planning Association and Rural Transportation Education, Carolyn Torma, APA

PURPOSE AND DUTIES

The primary activities of RPO America include:

• Provide information, education, peer networking and research initiatives aimed at enhancing the professional and organizational development of rural transportation planning professionals, policy officials and stakeholders.

• Serve as a national clearinghouse and forum for the exchange of information among individuals involved in the planning and development of the nation's rural transportation infrastructure and systems.

• Sponsor and conduct activities aimed at showcasing the accomplishments, benefits and responsibilities of rural transportation planning organizations to public officials at all levels of government, the public and the private sector.

• Advise NADO and its leadership, membership and management on matters related to rural transportation planning and development.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in RPO America consists of the dues-paying organizations of NADO. Representatives to the affiliate are designated to serve in this capacity by the executive director of the NADO member organization. There are no additional annual dues required to be associated with RPO America.

GOVERNANCE MODEL

The leadership of RPO America consists of a steering committee elected each year at the affiliate's annual business meeting held in conjunction with the National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference. The elected (chair, vice-chair and secretary) and non-elected (NADO's executive director serves as treasurer) officers of the steering committee serve as the executive committee of the National RPO Council of Peers. Members of the NADO Executive Committee and the chair and vice-chair of the NADO Transportation Policy Task Force also serve as ex-officio voting members of the steering committee.

The National RPO Council of Peers provides advice, input and ideas to the NADO Board of Directors, transportation policy task force and management. In addition to the steering committee officers, the remaining members of the Council are appointed by the NADO president, with the advice and consent of the NADO board, for one-year terms, without term limitations. The Council meets at least annually in conjunction with the National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference.

For more details, download the bylaws and organizational guidelines for RPO America.

Updated: June 29, 2006