Welcome ASTD Nebraska members and potential members!
I consider it a tremendous honor to serve as your president for 2010. I will rely on my experience as a long-time active member of ASTD, ASTD-Lincoln, and ASTD Nebraska to help carry our chapter forward in 2010 and beyond.
As a profession, we are experiencing significant changes in our industry. To a great extent, this is due to the overall economic climate in our country today. I strongly believe that we are on the right track not to get back to where we were, but towards a more efficient and more “realistic” world if you will.
As workplace learning and performance (WLP) professionals, this provides us an amazing opportunity to demonstrate our skills and the benefits of our profession. My personal mission statement is to continuously develop myself so that I may contribute to the development of others. What a better way to live up to my mission statement than to be active in our chapter. I challenge you to think about what your mission is for 2010, both personally and professionally, and to see how our chapter can support you in your goals.
This is a time for all of our ASTD Nebraska Chapter members to contribute, especially those “old-timers” or “seasoned members” like me who have the experience to share, as well as those new members who have the enthusiasm to learn and be active in our profession. I ask you to take full advantage of your membership, whether you are a new member or a seasoned member, as we all can benefit from the many educational opportunities that our chapter provides its members and that our members can provide to each other.
During these rough economic times, organizations that invest in staff members who are focused on WLP will be poised for the inevitable resurgence of our country’s economy. An organization committed to WLP boosts the morale of its employees, motivates them into action, increases productivity in a “do more with less” environment, increases their engagement and commitment to the organization, thus showing employees that they are a valued resource. Look for the ASTD Nebraska Chapter to be making more direct contact this year with the local businesses that support us in our community to share the benefits of our organization.
The mission of the Nebraska Chapter of ASTD is to enhance members' abilities to train, develop, and support clients and organizations and our local and global communities.
On a monthly basis, we provide leading edge, highly relevant learning programs that support the ASTD National Competency Model and position WLP professionals as leaders in our organizations. I have challenged our Programming Committee to offer at least one workshop each quarter that will provide a deep dive into the information presented to try to balance the level of information we provide to our new and seasoned members. They have gone above and beyond this challenge so look for additional learning opportunities this year as well as more regionally and nationally known speakers.
Why should you be active in ASTD Nebraska?
• Build your knowledge and experience in workplace learning and performance
• Explore new technologies that are changing the way we work and train
• Network, share ideas, and expertise with other members
• Take the opportunity to present at a monthly program, lead a Special
Interest Group, or volunteer on a committee
• Learn about career opportunities in our area
• Build relationships – you may find that some of your best friends and
strongest relationships are developed with your fellow members
ASTD Nebraska is like a second family for many of us. We step up and volunteer, not only to help our chapter be successful, but to assist our members as well. I feel this is what drives the dedication to our chapter that so many of our members have. I ask you to get involved today to see how you can make a difference in our chapter and in the lives of our members.
Our volunteer-run organization of WLP professionals is dedicated to the practice of servant leadership and promoting our profession throughout the business community. Your chapter leadership is here to be of service to you. You can find our contact information on the Board Information page of the ASTD Nebraska website.
I thank you for your continuous involvement and support of ASTD Nebraska.
Michael Merritt, MAEd
President
ASTD Nebraska
President@astdnebraska.org
