As incoming President for 2010, I want to take this opportunity to thank Carol Christensen for her dedication and hard work. Carol’s commitment to Sacramento ASTD has been a driving force in seeing the chapter through what has been a difficult year for ASTD. Membership has been down locally and nationally as a result of many companies’s cutting back on financial support for their training professionals.
One of the outstanding accomplishments for ASTD Sacramento was the development of a well thought out 5 Year Strategic Plan. One of my major goals as President is to work the plan and grow membership. I want to continue the emphasis on the “For Profit Sector” and launch a major effort at recruiting membership in the government and nonprofit sectors. Most of you are aware that the Sacramento region is host to many of the State’s agency headquarters where the primary responsibility for training resides. Likewise, the region has many city, county and quasi-government agencies. Additionally, Sacramento being the capitol of California is home to many nonprofit and association headquarters; thus opportunities abound.
Another of my goals is to improve on several areas identified in the strategic plan SWOT Analysis section, Weaknesses and Challenges. Among several areas that need improving, I would like us to focus on three this year: (1) Limited corporate presence in the market to fund memberships and event attendance; (2) Lack of sponsors, vendors, and advertisers; and (3) Low awareness in the greater business community.
If you haven’t taken a look at the, “Introducing the 2010 Board of Directors” article please take a few minutes and read the article and become acquainted with the volunteer leaders guiding your chapter in 2010. We have several new members and several returning members (many thanks to the board members that are continuing their service in 2010).
Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts and suggestions. I look forward to working with you to grow our membership this year.
Join us and invite a colleague to our January 19th evening meeting for What's New at ASTD National and What's New with You? Dr. Phillips will be making a presentation on Return on Investment methods for the training industry.
Happy New Year
Mike Hodge
