Welcome to 2010 to all our Charlotte ASTD members and friends. As we have moved into the New Year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who made 2009 a successful year for ASTD, to highlight what your ASTD Chapter has accomplished over the past year, and give you a glimpse of where we are heading in 2010.
 
I would like to extend my appreciation to Kary Beaman for all of her leadership during the past year. 2009 was a difficult time for our community and our members. In addition to Kary’s leadership we had an active Chapter board, who without their help we could not have accomplished anything. Kary maintained her focus on finding ways to provide value to our members. Her years of association with the chapter are impressive and along with an active board and group of volunteer the chapter was able to achieve several goals in 2009, many we had not accomplished in the past.

The following is a quick snapshot of some of the chapters accomplished in 2009:
• Provided workshop to members for no additional fees
• Fee reduction program
• Guest pass program
• Started “New Beginning” SIG
• Education fair
• Launch of new website
• Launched use of social media tools (Linked In, Facebook, Twitter)
• Implemented new member virtual orientation program
• National ASTD - Chapter of the Month winner
• National ASTD - Share Our Success winner

I look forward to continuing Kary’s goal for finding new ways of creating value for the membership and our learning community. As for 2010, the board is finalizing our plans for an exciting year, and over the next month or two we look forward to finalizing our annual meeting speakers and agenda, plans for the second Day of Learning Workshop, a Senior Learning Leader Forum and other ideas for providing increased value to our membership and community.

Regards,
Owen