in this issue August "Spread the Good Word" Luncheon Letter from the President A request from ASTD's President and CEO: Call for Input - Coming Up in September Being a Board Member - WIIFM? Train The Trainer Program is Coming

Welcome to the New Sierra Wings Newsletter from your Sierra Nevada Chapter of the ASTD (American Society for Training and Development). Please be sure to follow the links for additional information. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. To submit an article, please contact Catherine King [catherine.king@igt.com] or Matthew Feiertag [mhfeiertag@earthlink.net].

August "Spread the Good Word" Luncheon

Wednesday, August 20th 11:30am - 1:30pm Sage Creek Grill, Donner Room (on South Virginia across from Meadow Wood mall)

Summertime is easy! Instead of an evening meeting in August we traditionally get together for an informal networking lunch. Please join us Wednesday, August 21st, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm for a no-host lunch at the Sage Creek Grill. We will also be taking this opportunity to "Spread the Good Word". Come prepared to tell us what you would like ASTD to know about you. What are you working on, promoting, interested in . . . ? Let us know about you and we can help spread the good word through the ASTD network. It's an opportunity not to be missed.

Please be sure to note the change of time and location!

	Letter from the President
Strategic Questions - More and more often, the training function is being considered strategically within companies and organizations. Strategic questions are being asked: "In light of where our organization is going and where we want to be in the future, what do our people need to know, do and be in order to move us from where we are to where we want to be?" Out of the response to these questions come the mandates for the training department. Of course, some prior strategic questions will have been asked and answered: Where do we want to be/what kind of organization do we want to be three (five, ten) years from now? What are the challenges we must overcome to achieve this future? How do we address these challenges; in what new directions must we move to address these challenges? How do we implement these new strategies? What is our mission? What is our shared vision? What has brought us to this point? What are our strengths and weaknesses in relationship to where we want to go? I know that every unit within an organization and the whole organization works together better if these kinds of conversations take place throughout the organization. Clarity of vision and focus on strategy mobilize energy and commitment to common goals when people are involved in thinking strategically together. The same is true for our organization. The Board has begun asking these kinds of questions about our chapter. The answers will shape our future. We need to have these conversations among our membership. Let's talk and work together to create our future, and make our chapter one that serves us strategically. Patricia Tuecke, President, Sierra Nevada Chapter ASTD

	A request from ASTD's President and CEO:
Your input is needed on a new mission statement. The proposed new mission statement for ASTD: "Through exceptional learning and performance, we create a world that works better." What do you think? Go to ASTD Survey »

	Call for Input - Coming Up in September
Coming in September: Humps, Hurdles, and Hazards: Handling the Worst Moments in Training - Come share experiences and learn techniques for turning disasters in to successes with Patricia Lees, Director of Training Services for Nichols Consulting Engineers, Chtd. We are collecting stories for a small group activity, and offering prizes for the best stories. Please write up a short paragraph about one or more of your more memorable or challenging training experiences - a surprising event or circumstance with people, logistics, etc. that you handled well, or wish you had handled well - that other trainers may appreciate or learn from. We will collect them for an activity that will become part of our September program. Please email your stories to Pat Lees at plees@nce.reno.nv.us by 9/8/03. Click here to e-mail your story »

	Being a Board Member - WIIFM?
When I closed up shop on my own training company in Europe to move lock, stock, and barrel to Reno, I fully, albeit somewhat over-optimistically, expected to find a job right away in my chosen field. But when I arrived, the reality was that I knew absolutely no one here in the field of training and development. It's pretty hard to get ahead in the field that way, so my first job turned out to be selling cars, a far cry from my initial expectations! Today, however, I am happy to say I am firmly ensconced in the T&D field and know most of the local "players" - and what a fantastic group they are! I am firmly convinced a crucial factor involved in my advancement has been, not only my membership in our ASTD Chapter, but also my five or so years of being a member of the Chapter Board of Directors. And, it's been great fun, too! Now, as President-Elect of the Sierra Nevada Chapter of ASTD, I am looking forward to the awesome perk of being sent by the Chapter to Washington, D.C. to attend the ASTD Leaders Conference in November (I'll be reporting back to you on that event!) and, more importantly, to having the privilege of taking over the mantle of the presidency from Pat Tuecke next year. As several of this year's Board members will be stepping down next year, there are new opportunities opening up for you, our membership. Now, you may say, that's all well and good, but What's In It For Me? From my perspective, there are a number of reasons why you would benefit from being an ASTD Board member, for example, the chances to: · Broaden your professional network · Develop and practice business and leadership skills you might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn · Gain recognition, visibility, and increased professional credibility within the community · Make a difference by benefiting others with your talents, new perspectives, and fresh ideas · Enjoy personal satisfaction and just plain have fun! To learn more about the open positions and how you can benefit yourself and others through Board membership, please take a moment to contact me, Shelley MacDonald, by phone at 329.4241 or email at training@nae-online.org. Seize this opportunity to grow with ASTD! email for more info »

	Train The Trainer Program is Coming
*Ready to learn or refresh your skill sets required of today's top Trainers? *Want to understand how adults learn? *Do you manage your classroom effectively? *Having trouble constructing and presenting with PowerPoint? *Do you know how to manage a training project? *Need to build on your questioning techniques? *Do you have a comprehensive high impact "Trainers Tool Kit"?*Ever been video taped and received quality feedback?*Can you conduct effective training on-line? If you cannot answer yes to all of these questions then T3, Sierra Nevada Chapter of ASTD's Train the Trainer certificate program, is for you!! This year we will be offering a basic/refresher training track as well as an advanced track. Here are the details: The cost of the "Basic Track" (Oct. 17th - Nov 21st , Friday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm ) is $295 for the complete track (5 sessions) or $65 per session. The "Advanced Track" (begins January 2004) and will be $499 for the complete track (or $99 per session). On September 5th you will be able to review the entire dynamic and engaging curriculum and sign-up on-line from the ASTD Sierra Nevada web page!! "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there" - Will Rogers

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