The Final Sprint
 

Nearly five years ago I spent August nine months pregnant. For nine months most everyone who heard my due date, Sept 10, responded, “It’s going to be a long hot summer for you,” as if that were encouragement. Instead, I spent summer grateful I could still walk, wasn’t on bed rest and worked up until the day my son arrived. A long high-risk pregnancy, it was the final sprint, and all a matter of lasting to the finish line. I’d planned a natural child birth, and the first doctor to see me that morning advised me, “We have one goal – to come out the other side with a healthy baby.” Again, keeping the goal in site, and all a matter of perspective.

Single-mindedness
 
In the Charlotte Chapter of ASTD we have a singular mission: To provide our members excellence in training and development services by enhancing their knowledge and skills, which impact the effectiveness of their clients, organizations, and communities. I’d like to share with you some ways this mission has manifested.
 
1.      Every fall we survey you, our members, to gauge your satisfaction, and interests for the year ahead. We then issue a call for proposals and plan the next year’s programs based on your feedback. Takeaway: Respond to the membership survey. It’s your voice to the board.
2.      Every fall we issue a call for board members. This is your opportunity to take a stretch assignment that might be too high risk for the office, dabble in a new interest area, and give back to a community that helps you grow.  Seats are still open for Marketing, Membership, President Elect and others. Contact: Owen Davis at presidentelect@astdcharlotte.org.
3.      In July 2009 the Charlotte Chapter was recognized by ASTD National as Chapter of the Month for our work on the Day of Learning, our Special Interest Group(s) and overall quality programming and management of the chapter.
4.      In August 2009 we were awarded the ASTD National Membership Star based on our high percentages of dual memberships in national and local chapters.
 
Fall Opportunities Abound
 
It may have been a long hot summer, but the board leveraged modern climate control and planned a fall teaming with activities aligned with our mission.
 
1.      Our August meeting complements our speaker with a Back to School night including representatives from ten colleges available to answer any
questions you may have regarding enrollment, degree programs, certification programs, etc.
2.      September includes board elections and our membership survey in addition to regular programming.
3.      October debuts an evening-long workshop with Marcia Jackson that is free for registered members. Keep your eyes peeled for this announcement.
4.      Fall also includes a debut of our new web site.
 
It’s amazing what people can do in the heat of the summer or, as Ed Gash told me, when we take “20 minutes and a cup of coffee” to think about what is important to us.
 
Kary Beaman, 2009 ASTD Charlotte President