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How to Start a Global Network in your Country

The Global Network Mission:

To respond to interest among ASTD members outside the United States for local structures that offer convening and networking under ASTD's name

To offer a mechanism for human resource development professionals to meet and learn from one another in countries where a professional association in training and development may not exist

To facilitate the exchange of knowledge, resources, and perspectives among international and U.S.-based ASTD members

To further ASTD's international activities, membership and presence outside the United States


The Global Network Structure:

Global Networks are designed to meet the professional development and networking needs of ASTD members. They are not intended as a forum for selling products or services, promoting individual consulting services, or creating business activities unrelated to ASTD's mission

Initiation and maintenance of a Global Network rely primarily on ASTD members in country (or region) who volunteer their time and effort, with guidance and support from ASTD headquarters staff. Local volunteer leadership teams coordinate each Global Network

Global Networks are expected to meet specific outcomes, including programming and networking events, communication with members and ASTD headquarters about activities, and appropriate use of the ASTD name and logo. These expectations are defined in a written affiliation agreement between ASTD and the Global Network leaders

ASTD does not wish to create competition for members by creating a Global Network in a country/region where training and development professional associations already exist. Where appropriate, ASTD will seek to develop partnership activities with an active counterpart association


The Global Network Selection Process:

Evidence of interest among ASTD members or potential members in the country/region to initiate and support a Global Network. This interest must be documented with names of ASTD members who support the Global Network and a steering committee of at least three to five ASTD members who agree to serve as volunteer organizers of the group. Steering committee members must all be accessible by either email or fax and telephone and must represent two or more organizations.

The Steering Committee members must be ASTD members and the Chairperson must be an ASTD member for a minimum of two years.

A strong statement of purpose for the Global Network that is aligned with ASTD's mission and vision and incorporates the objectives and assumptions described above.

Information on the human resource development profession in the country/region, which indicates a viable audience of practitioners who would be interested in supporting a Global Network.

Information on existing training and development professional associations in the country/region and evidence that a Global Network will complement, rather than compete with the activities of these organizations.


The Global Network Application Process:

Submit a typewritten or word-processedstatement (limited to a maximum of five pages) to ASTD that includes the information below:

  • Contact Person Information. List the name, address, telephone number, email (required), and fax address for the ASTD member who will serve as the contact person for the application
  • Steering Committee Information. List the names, addresses, telephone numbers, email, and fax addresses for the ASTD members who will serve as the volunteer steering committee for the proposed Global Network. Note:
    • steering committee must consist of a minimum of three to five individuals
    • at least one steering committee member must have an email address
    • steering committee members must be ASTD members.
  • Support from ASTD Members. List the names of current ASTD members in your country/region who support the proposal to establish a Global Network. Global Networks are expected to have at least 20 active members (as verified by ASTD) by the end of the first year
  • Statement of Purpose. Provide a statement of purpose for the proposed Global Network. Describe how the Global Network would meet the objectives listed above; respond to the needs of ASTD members in your country/region, and further ASTD's mission and vision
  • Information on the HRD Profession. Describe the state of the human resource development profession in your country/region. What activities are practitioners engaged in? What industries do they work in? What knowledge areas are they focused on?
  • Information on Professional Associations. Provide information on professional associations for human resource professionals in your country/region. What services do they provide? How well are they meeting the needs of practitioners? To what degree would an ASTD Global Network compete with, or complement the work of these associations?

Send Global Network applications to:
ASTD International Programs
1640 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22313-2043
Email: nwashington@astd.org

Applications for Global Networks are reviewed and selected by a panel of ASTD staff. ASTD's Board of Directors give final approval for each group.