Important update about the Chapter Operating Requirement for joint membership in 2010. Click here for the announcement.
CORE: ASTD Chapter Operating Requirements
What is CORE?
ASTD Chapter Operating Requirements (CORE) are a set of performance guidelines designed to help chapters deliver consistent benefits to members. CORE consists of elements in five key areas: administration, financial, membership, professional development, and communication, which are necessary for running a chapter like a business.
Where did the need for CORE come from?
Chapter leaders requested a clear set of standards to assist them in providing excellent services and benefits to their members. ASTD appointed a task force of chapter leaders to develop these standards, which came to be known as CORE elements. These requirements must be met for chapters to remain chartered ASTD chapters
How were the CORE standards developed?
Although originally developed in 1998, the CORE process has been redesigned and will become effective in a phased approach, beginning with the 2007 submission, due in January 2008. The CORE Committee, made up of current and past chapter leaders and representatives of the National Advisors for Chapters (NAC), in partnership with Chapter Services staff, has thoroughly reviewed the elements and revised them to assist chapters in delivering consistent benefits to members and to attain the greatest level of success possible.
CORE Resources for Chapter Leaders
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2009 CORE Planning Workbook |
Created to help leaders gather and document CORE-related information for the CORE survey. The workbook mirrors the online CORE survey. It is recommended that chapters complete this workbook prior to completing the online CORE submission.
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CORE Policy |
Outlines series of actions taken to assist chapters that do not achieve 100 percent CORE.
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2009 CORE Submission Summary |
Summary includes results and demographic information based on responses provided by chapters in the 2008 CORE survey. Many chapter leaders use this information to benchmark their chapters with others.
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CORE Element Quick List |
A handy reference guide listing all CORE components and elements.
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2008 CORE Element Matrix |
Lists all CORE elements, their purpose, and how chapters can go about accomplishing them. Also includes resources available to assist with each element.
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2009 ALC CORE Presentation |
Presentation given to chapters leaders who attended the 2009 ASTD Chapter Leaders Conference. This presentation will assist chapter leaders in understanding the CORE elements and policy. It also answers many frequently asked questions from chapters including:
· What is CORE?
· Why is it a requirement for chapters?
· What are chapters that achieve 100 percent CORE doing successfully?
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2008 CORE FAQs |
Lists answers to the most frequently asked questions chapter leaders have about CORE.
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Model Bylaws for ASTD Chapters |
Model bylaws that align with the national ASTD bylaws. This is a good resource for chapters planning to review and update their bylaws.
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Chapter Board Roster - CORE Template |
Template in EXCEL format that chapter leaders should use to submit their board roster with the CORE submission. (Updates should be sent to the chapter coach when changes occur.)
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Chapter Membership Roster - CORE Template |
Template in EXCEL format that chapter leaders should use to submit their membership roster with the CORE submission. (Chapters not using ChAMP can send the roster to the chapter coach at any time to find the chapter’s joint membership percentage. ChAMP chapters can calculate the joint membership percentage using the ChAMP roster report.)
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CORE Samples and Templates Requested
The Chapter Recognition Committee and the CORE Committee are joining forces to identify chapter best practices for the Sharing Our Success (SOS) recognition that link to the new and updated CORE elements. If your chapter’s best practice, sample form or template links to CORE and is accepted for SOS recognition, it will also be posted as a resource on the CORE homepage and help other chapters with their CORE achievement efforts. To submit your SOS best practice, click here.
Chapter Membership Stars & Superstars Announcement
In 2008, about 75 percent of ASTD chapters met or were above the CORE requirement of 30 percent joint membership. The CORE membership goal helps establish that members of the national organization and its chapters are part of the same organization with shared valuable resources and a shared compelling mission that effectively meets members’ professional development needs. ASTD would like to give recognition to those chapters who went above and beyond the 30 percent requirement; these chapters are our membership STAR and SUPERSTAR chapters.
Special recognition goes to the Mid New Jersey chapter who had 91 percent joint membership within their chapter. This is an remarkable achievement and shows their commitment to informing members of the benefits of both ASTD national and its local chapters. The Mid-NJ chapter received one complimentary registration to the ASTD Chapter Leaders Conference (ALC). Congratulations to the chapter – be sure to attend ALC to learn how they did it!

The following chapters were 100 percent CORE and Chapter Membership SUPERSTARS: over 50 percent joint membership
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Alaska |
Golden Gate |
Mount Diablo |
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Inland Empire |
Northern Rockies |
Central Florida |
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Tallahassee |
Fort Lauderdale |
Baton Rouge |
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Central Massachusetts |
Maryland |
Mid-Michigan |
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Springfield |
Big Sky |
Eastern North Carolina |
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Mid New Jersey |
Greater Las Vegas |
Genesee Valley |
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Greater Toledo |
Northeast Ohio |
Greater Cleveland |
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Reading Area Trainers Organization |
Eastern Pennsylvania |
Bay Colonies |
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Midlands |
Memphis |
Smoky Mountain |
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West Texas |
Utah |
Northeast Wisconsin |