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Greetings!
The next chapter meeting will be held Wednesday, July 21 from 5:30 pm
to 7:15 pm at Washoe Professional Center, 75 Pringle Way Room 108.
This month's speaker is Dr. Steven Rubin, MD, Adult & Geriatric
Psychiatry, and his topic will be: "Keeping Your Balance - Oxygen Masks"
President's Message: The Power of Peer Review 
Why do we as trainers attend conferences, read the newest books in the
field, research the latest trends in training? One reason is that we want
to be deliberate, and not haphazard, in our work. Too often, however, we
are not as deliberate as we should be, delivering standard training
modules again and again without properly assessing needs, identifying and
establishing clear learning objectives, customizing and updating content,
setting follow-up to training initiatives, and conducting evaluation that
goes beyond "smile sheets". We need to continually consciously consider if
we are delivering the highest quality possible - and we can help each
other do so by engaging in systems of peer review.
Peer review is not just for maintaining consistent standards within one
training department; it is also a type of quality control that independent
trainers can employ by observing and constructively commenting on each
other's training sessions and materials. Through peer review we can
generate fresh ideas to enhance and revitalize curriculum and delivery,
maintain greater consistency where needed, and share in the opportunity
for professional development without high costs and time constraints.
Moreover, it is a two-way street, not just a learning event for the person
being observed, but also for the reviewer, who has the opportunity to
experience training from the participants' point of view.
Read
on...
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ASTD is bringing E-Learning Pioneer, Dr. Eric Parks, to
Reno! |
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 The local Sierra Nevada ASTD
chapter is thrilled to announce that as part of our ongoing advanced
Train the Trainer program, we are bringing a national market leader
and e-Learning pioneer to Reno on October 1, 2004 at Truckee Meadows
Community College: Dr. Eric Parks, CEO of ASK International
(http://askintl.com).
This one-day hands-on seminar will focus on using the widespread
and easy-to-use Microsoft PowerPoint program to create engaging yet
low cost (and quick to develop) e-Learning training courses. More
information about this event will be coming your way shortly, so
stay tuned! In the meantime, Dr. Parks has graciously allowed us to
share the following article to whet your appetite. Enjoy!
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I was scheduled to speak at the Online Learning 2003 conference
in Los Angeles in the worst possible time slot; the last hour of the
event. The expo hall was closed at 2:00 pm, people were leaving to
catch their shuttles to the airport and I was scheduled to speak
from 3:15 to 4:15 pm along with a dozen other presenters. Speakers
call this the Siberia of speaking slots, a typically cold, barren
place where 5-6 attendees is considered a crowd. To say the least I
didn't expect many attendees to stick around so late in the day. As
I set up my computer 15 minutes before my presentation, only a few
people sat in the large room with seating for 60. I felt relieved
that a few people were there; at least I wouldn't be speaking to an
empty room. As each minute passed people streamed into the room, 10
minutes later all 60 seats were filled. I was stunned. There was
standing room only. I would like to think it was my charismatic
speaking style but I have been assigned to the Siberia slot before
and never attracted more then 5-6 attendees. So why was this
presentation so important? What attracted so many people to attend?
Before the presentation began I went around the room and spoke
with various participants. They expressed the following: "I feel
un-empowered." "I feel frustrated with existing tools; they're hard
to use." "I don't want to feel dependent on consultants and long
development cycles." "Why can't I use the same tools I create my ILT
training to create my e-Learning?" As e-Learning tools and LMS
products continue to evolve, the attendees at my presentation felt
that the publishing quality of e- Learning courseware has become
more difficult, more complex and more frustrating, forcing them to
feel that they cannot do it themselves.
Get
the rest of the story... »
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From Your Treasurer: Julie Lamoureaux |
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 Sometimes I scare myself. Now hold on, I realize
those might be unsettling words to hear from the person who handles
your group's finances, but hear me out on this one. When I first
volunteered for the position of Treasurer of our local ASTD Chapter,
I envisioned myself writing a few checks and balancing a bank
statement once a month, that's it, end of story. I didn't know
anything about complying with ASTD National requirements or exactly
how challenging it could be to have signatures changed on a few bank
accounts. Well, I've learned a lot in the last 7 months!
I am happy to report that your Board has accomplished a great
deal when it comes to the fiscal health of the Sierra Nevada
Chapter. During the first part of the year, we worked diligently to
approve an operating budget that best suited the needs of our
membership (you can view it on our website). Then, during March and
April, the Board's liability insurance was re- evaluated and
renewed. Finally, in May an external review of our books for the
year 2003 was conducted. This means that we are now 100% compliant
with ASTD National requirements in the financial department.
Last month I excitedly e-mailed our Board President, Shelley
MacDonald, and told her that I had accomplished my personal goal of
entering all of our transactions for 2004 into Quicken. Not only
will this allow me to present the Board with a more detailed account
of where we stand each month, it also creates a transferable program
for the next Treasurer who holds this position. Now, here's where
the scary part comes in. When I finished entering all of the
transactions I was actually giddy. Yes, giddy.
Like I said earlier, sometimes I scare myself. --Julie Lamoureaux
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Employment Opportunity! Director of Organizational
Development Needed! |
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 A National Staffing firm with Headquarters based
in Reno Nevada, is growing and expanding and is looking for a strong
individual who has the ability to lead and create the companies'
training and development program.
This person will be the Director of Organizational Development
and facilitate leadership and facilitate initiatives across the
enterprise. Plans, develops, implements and administers programs for
company employees consistent with overall organizational development
strategies and the company's broad strategic goals. Will develop,
implement and maintain a comprehensive Human Resources Development
Strategy for career development and career path; succession
planning; training; new hire orientation; and performance
management.
Direct the needs assessment for training and staff development to
enhance the effectiveness of employee performance in achieving the
goals and objectives of the company, identifies/incorporates best
practices, designs and develops HR training programs for management
and employees. If you know of someone who has an interest in this
position, feel free to forward to this e-mail or have them give me a
call at Strategic Staffing Group (SSG).
Gary Reynolds President gary@staffingjobs.com 724-865-2500 Fax:
724-865-2719 www.staffingjobs.com |
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