Q & A
with Jason Plourde, BETA Group
How did you first become involved with the Plan NH Charrette Program, and what drew you to volunteer in the beginning?
Driven by the passion of my wife (a special ed rockstar) and my daughter (an aspiring OT), I felt a calling to create some serious good in the world. Then, fate stepped in via the Stratham Town Planner in 2011, who mentioned a Plan NH "Design Charrette." Intrigued, I reached out to then-Executive Director Robin LeBlanc to see how I could get involved. That single, curious email turned into a decade-long love affair with community planning! I have since participated in 10 (and counting) Plan NH Design Charrettes and currently volunteer on the Design Charrette Committee.
What keeps you coming back to participate in charrettes year after year?
Every municipality in New Hampshire has its own secret sauce – that special mix of big dreams and local pride that makes that place one of a kind. I love listening to residents gush about why they love where they live; there’s nothing better than figuring out how the right support can turn those "what if" ideas into "wow" reality. I am also a huge fan of the ultimate teaming-up opportunities. Getting to brainstorm with professionals from different fields is amazing and humbling – I enjoy soaking up their insights and blending all those diverse visions into designs that are smart and truly inspired.
Is there a particular charrette moment or project that stands out as especially meaningful to you?
In 2019, I had the profound privilege of joining the Plan NH Design Charrette Team on an eye-opening journey. Together with Families in Transition, we poured our hearts into re-envisioning an emergency shelter in the soul of downtown Manchester. Our mission was to breathe new life into these walls, transforming a mere facility into a sanctuary of dignity – a community-centered haven designed to meet individual needs while weaving a thread of hope and connection throughout the neighborhood we learned to care for so deeply.
How have you seen the charrette program evolve during your time as a volunteer?
The Plan NH Design Charrette has leveled up over the past decade. While the classic two-day lineup of walking tours, stakeholder brainstorms, and community listening sessions is still the heart of the event, the behind-the-scenes vibes have shifted from "mystery" to "pro precision." Back in 2011, joining a team felt like a blind date with a community; experts showed up on Friday morning barely knowing their teammates or the project details. Fast forward to 2026, and the initial preparation is strong with teams now meeting beforehand to share expertise and learn about the community’s application and purpose of why Plan NH was invited to be there. The final reveal blends high-tech digital tools and slick online imagery with the timeless, old-school hand-drawn sketches by landscape architects. The product is the perfect mix of modern technology and artisan craft, all served up in one high-energy weekend.
What impact do you believe the charrettes have had on New Hampshire communities?
Do you ever feel like your community has big dreams but is stuck in the "what now" phase? Plan NH sees these hurdles and turns those "what-ifs" into "challenge accepted." I look at Plan NH as assembling a team like Mission Impossible – assembling the ultimate group of diverse experts in one room and letting the magic happen. The process turns into fast-track decisions, supercharged collaboration, and development of real, tangible results.
In what ways has volunteering with Plan NH influenced your own professional or personal growth?
Volunteering with Plan NH has been a total game-changer for both my career and my outlook on life. On the professional side, I have been in a masterclass on community impact. I have learned how smart design and local collaboration can transform a neighborhood. Collaborating with professionals from all sorts of fields has pushed me to think bigger, sharpen my problem-solving skills, and learn the art of "speaking the same language" as people with totally different perspectives. We find that sweet spot where big creativity meets real-world feasibility. On a personal level, this journey has been a huge reminder of why showing up for your community matters. Seeing so many dedicated people team up to make our municipalities better places to live, work, and play is both humbling and incredibly inspiring. This experience certainly shows how even small ripples can create big waves of change. I have taken this "service spirit" to my community. These days, you can find me serving as Chair of my local Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. Before that, I spent six years on the Zoning Board of Adjustment (serving as Chair for three of them), and I have also volunteered on the Economic Development and Capital Improvement Plan Committees. We are all busy, but this ride has been amazing, rewarding, and fulfilling.
What do you enjoy most about collaborating with multidisciplinary teams during a charrette weekend?
A charrette weekend is that special time where people from competing firms leave their company logos at the door and where engineers and planners can see beyond philosophical differences to unite for a unique challenge – finding solutions for our neighbors. The energy is a holistic blend of focused panic, creative chaos, and the slightly electric hum of excitement. There is a shared realization that we are in this glorious, messy boat together, frantically paddling ideas before the deadline. There is an organic learning experience where we gain invaluable insight into how others think, how they see constraints, and how they go about their problem-solving process. The mutual respect and understanding that develop ensures smoother collaboration long after the Charrette ends.
As Plan NH celebrates 30 years of charrettes, what message or reflection would you like to share about the program’s legacy?
For 30 years, Plan NH Design Charrettes have shown that great planning starts with one simple thing: listening. The best part of this program is the way communities are provided with the confidence to dream big together. By gathering neighbors, municipal leaders, and professionals all in one room, the Charrette model proves that we get much better results when everyone has a seat at the table. As New Hampshire tackles big changes like the housing crunch and a shifting climate, this approach is more important than ever. The legacy of these Charrettes is something to be proud of and a great roadmap for the future: get involved early, really listen, think big, and plan together.
Plan NH is grateful for Jason's participation on the following Charrette Teams:
- Stratham 2011
- Rindge 2012
- Milford 2013
- Greenfield 2014
- Marlow 2015
6. Moultonborough 2018
7. Manchester 2019
8. Temple 2022
9. Manchester 2025
10. Nashua 2025
