November 2009 Chapter of the Month - Maryland
Congratulations to the November 2009 Chapter of the Month: the Maryland Chapter!
The Maryland Chapter serves two large cities—Baltimore and Washington, D.C.—and members that are geographically dispersed both in terms of where they live and where they work. But this challenge is met squarely with thoughtful program planning by the leadership of the chapter. For example, the Maryland Chapter is being recognized for the Chapter Volunteer Fair and Micro Sessions event held recently to showcase volunteer leadership opportunities in the chapter. The event not only addressed a chapter goal to increase the number of volunteers in the chapter, it also resulted in the filling of a board position and the acquisition of two new members!
Chapter president Julie Spokus thinks the Maryland Chapter is unique for several reasons, including the chapter’s location between two major cities. Additionally, the chapter also has a partnership with the University of Maryland Baltimore campus (UMBC) that allows for collaboration during the school’s annual Fall and Spring Instructional Systems Design (ISD) forums. The university also actively promotes the chapter’s programs to their ISD students and academic audience.
Given the diversity of the chapter’s membership, meeting the needs of members is a key challenge that the Maryland Chapter manages through varied programming. In addition to evening programs, the chapter offers lunch-time webinars, weekend events, and a consultants’ Special Interest Group. The chapter is keenly focused on providing programs that reinforce the ASTD Competency Model, thus ensuring the varied needs of its audience are met. Moving forward into the new year, the Maryland Chapter is planning to take events that have been popular in other realms (like the IT field) and “apply a T&D/WLP [workplace learning and performance] spin” to them, says Spokus adding, “These events allow our membership to share their knowledge with each other in an organized yet fun way.”
Once again, congratulations to the November 2009 Chapter of the Month: the Maryland Chapter!