2008: The Year of the Workplace Learning and Performance Professional
The Workplace Learning and Performance Profession (WLP)has come of age! Its a revolution and you are on the front lines of this exciting paradigm shift. How? By making a commitment to Membership, Leadership, and Self development. Let's face it: there is strength in numbers! As members of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of ASTD you have the power to influence organizational policy and articulate the importance of our profession to senior executives. Making a commitment to your profession is the only way to exercise that power. I envision three commitments:
First, our CEO Forum is one optimal venue to achieve this vision. In January 2008 we will be conducting a member survey to collect the most important and critical training and development issues facing you and your workforce. Your input will inform our report on April 3, 2008 at the CEO forum. It is our goal that through the CEO Forum and the Workforce Investment Board we will positively affect the strategic direction of the WLP profession.
Second, a professional organization is only as strong as it's members. There are over 5,000 WLP professionals and benefactors throughout the Lehigh Valley, Poconos, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Imagine the possibilities when the collective talents, leadership, consulting, and training skills of 5,000 + WLP professionals come together to affect meaningful workplace learning and professional development! This may sound grandiose to some, but together we can make this happen. I challenge each of you to enlist at least 5 WLP colleagues and or sign up for a joint ASTD local/national membership.
Third, take a leadership role in our chapter by volunteering to serve on the membership development, WLP programs, or marketing committees. These committees are designed to minimize your individual time contribution by spreading the tasks across multiple committee members. Leadership roles are shared so no single team member is overwhelmed. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop leadership skills that you may not necessarily get to develop at work. It is also our future leader pipeline for executive board succession planning.
This One Voice will enable us to make a meaningful and positive impact on our profession locally, regionally, and nationally. Furthermore, the inherent camaraderie of this network will create a robust environment for job security, career advancement, business development, and sharpening our talents as WLP professionals.
Its our Year! Lets Roll!
Pedro Luis Anes, PhD (c)
President 2008, Eastern PA Chapter