Chapter Connections

Welcome to Chapter Connections, your Community Hub for everything related to our Chapter's journey. More than just a space for reading, it's where you'll find the heartbeat of our community—connecting you to the insights, stories, and opportunities that empower your professional development.


  • 02/05/2016 5:59 PM | Paul Venderley (Administrator)
    by Denise Zdunczyk Share this on LinkedIn

    Our 2016 Vice President of Marketing, Lisa Kolbe, joined ATD Orange County in June 2012. During her first year, she attended as many events as possible. It was at these events where she made great connections that eventually led to her being asked to be a board member.

    Lisa explains that “ATD has a lot of great things to offer. Some of the best things for me have come from networking after the ATD events. You really do get out what you put into things, and ATD is no exception. My advice is to follow-up with people after the events. Go to coffee, pick their brains, listen, and share your own ideas. It is by connecting and sharing our experiences that this organization truly becomes great.”

    "With networking, the true value comes from the follow-up."

    To prepare for her role as Marketing VP, she “surveyed data from our members, interviewed those involved in marketing at ATD-OC last year, and sought the collective insight” of current and former board members.  She identified two main goals for Marketing in 2016.

    1. Operationalize the marketing processes
    2. Develop consistent and thoughtful communication with members

    Lisa plans to accomplish these goals by leveraging volunteers, documenting and automating as many functions as possible, and partnering with other similar organizations where applicable. 

    Lisa currently holds the title of Senior Program Manager of Change Leadership at Automatic Data Processing (ADP).  This position has a heavy emphasis on communication, coaching, team development, and organizational development, skills that will serve her well as an ATD-OC leader. She is passionate about learning new things, understanding how change affects the people it touches, and sharing information.


    Creating the Change Group

    Lisa’s interest in change is not only about how it’s managed, but how to identify and understand what tools are available to use change tools to influence organizational change.

    She utilized her network of people within ATD-OC and connected with Denise Lamont to develop the Change Leadership Special Interest Group (SIG). The Change Leadership SIG meets every other month on the first Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. More information on this group can be found on ATD-OC’s website at http://www.atdoc.org/SIGs.


    3 things you may not know about Lisa

    Lisa likes to garden and has a community plot in Orange where she grows vegetables all year long. She loves the challenge of eating seasonally grown foods, and also enjoys digging in the earth.

    Lisa lives in Orange with her daughter, Jaylee, two dogs named Luna and Bruce, and Rob the lizard.

    She loves to travel and recently returned from a visit to England to meet her baby niece. She also had the opportunity to go to Dublin and enjoy Guinness beer right from the tap. Her next travel adventure will take her to Costa Rica to celebrate her birthday in style.

    You can reach Lisa at Marketing@astdoc.org.


  • 01/13/2016 12:51 PM | Paul Venderley (Administrator)
    by Jeffrey Hansler, BizSIG Leader and Chapter President Share this post on LinkedIn 


    The BizSIG is dedicated to helping talent development consultants (both internal and external) distinguish themselves in a crowded field. They're applying the lessons learned from Peter Block's Flawless Consulting to an actual client -- the ATD-Orange County Chapter itself.

    We met last week, and discussed (among other things) the following:

    • What are two ways to draw attention to issues within an organization?
    • What is one technique for clarifying positions of stakeholders?
    • List two critical and personal reasons people defend the status quo?

    Our project with the Chapter is working towards a desired outcome of 'strengthening the chapter by adding greater value for members.' However, the group is struggling with defining action steps to that desired outcome.

    Usually consulting projects are project based (increase market share, cut costs, re-organize organizational structure) and the board spectrum of this outcome leaves an enormous amount of options: from membership, to chapter programs, to the value of member benefits such as the Member Profile and the Job Board.

    Additionally, the organization is viable and it has structure, support, and finances to continue operations for the foreseeable future without ever mentioning the word ‘change’. So what is this project all about?


    The project is about innovation for talent development – your professional development – and discovering the path for you and others.

    Recognizing that, we note that innovation requires an investment of time, engagement, and resources. Since ATD-OC is a volunteer organization, organizing groups to take action on any innovative ideas proposed by the BizSIG team will be a critical step.

    If you'd like to get in on this project while it's still in the forming stages, there's plenty of opportunity! We're meeting again in February, where the topic of discussion will be 'Discovery and Dialogue,' and we'll seek to define and commit to a success step for our client.


    Learn more about the BizSIG.


    Stay up-to-date on all SIG Events.


  • 01/05/2016 8:27 PM | Paul Venderley (Administrator)

    If you're someone who wants to get into writing, explore what's involved in the marketing and communications aspects of talent development, or simply looking for unique opportunities to network with seasoned practitioners in the talent development field, we're eager to chat with you.

    ATD-OC is looking to add to our community's pool of knowledge through the creation of original content. The content would address topics of interest to the talent development community, and would explore the myriad of development opportunities our chapter offers its members.

    You could submit original content based upon your experiences in training, instructional design, or eLearning, or you could select from one of our Community Content Calendar topics. And while we'd be thrilled to list you as a "Chapter Writer," we'll be equally elated if you elect to take on a single article. Either way, you'll find a way to get your unique voice out to a community of talent development professionals.

    To get started, simply complete our Call for Writers interest form, or contact our Social Media Coordinator at SMOC@astdoc.org.


  • 12/01/2015 1:45 PM | Paul Venderley (Administrator)

    by Denise Zdunyck

    With knowledge at our fingertips, we sometimes forget the beauty and power of connecting with other people. When like-minded people gather to share their insight and experience, the room comes alive.

    On Oct. 28, 2015, ATD-OC welcomed award-winning eLearning designer, Kevin Thorn, for an evening of “Tapas, Wine, and Storyline.”  The evening had almost a fireside chat feel to it as Gloria Hays expertly guided the conversation with Kevin. Sitting in the audience, we felt we were as much a part of the conversation as the star speaker.

    Listening to Kevin, one gets the feeling that it is possible to attain one’s dreams even when unsure where those dreams lead. Kevin learned Storyline basically on a dare. And, in his stories, he dares us to dream and think bigger – or at least differently.

    Kevin shared tales about how something as simple as doodles became the logo for his company, Nuggethead Studioztm, along with insightful perspectives on process design.

    Through that story, and several others, Kevin encouraged eLearning developers to “think differently about their design” -- to think through the behavior of what they want their learners to experience -- the user experience. Focus on this, and design from this. Too often, Kevin shared, individuals building programs ask development questions when they should be focusing on design questions.

    One of the questions asked by Gloria prompted a lively discussion amongst the group. She asked “[Do you have] any tips for how to get the stakeholders involved in the eLearning review cycle, earlier in the Design process?”

    In the subsequent discussion, one guest in the audience insightfully leveraged her Executive Experience saying: “Tell them nothing. Ask them everything”.

    Not only is Kevin Thorn a Storyline Star, he’s genuinely a nice guy. He took the time to talk with all of the participants who approached him, he answered questions, told fun stories, and, to top it off, he described ATD-OC’s hospitality as “exceptional.”



  • 11/16/2015 8:00 AM | Paul Venderley (Administrator)

    When Senator Paul Ryan announced that he would entertain the House Speakership, he did so with a few conditions. One of those: that his weekends were reserved for his family. "I cannot and will not give up my family time," he said.

    This requirement for work-life balance isn't new, but it is a defining trait of today's leaders. According to an EY study: "Work-life Challenges Across Generations," approximately half of managers globally are working more than 40-hour work weeks. Four in 10 say their hours have increased over the past five years. 

    This challenge to work-life balance appears to have impacted Millenials the most, who the EY report states are almost twice as likely to have a spouse or partner working at least full-time than Boomers -- a conclusion that highlights the differences between the multiple generations within our workforce.  

    Baby Boomers are typically characterized as driven, working long hours to establish self-worth, identity, and fulfillment.  Seen as sacrificing family for work-ethic, they're currently blamed for a rising divorce rate, a sharp contrast to the Millennial desire for both solid family time and rewarding work.

    A potential side-affect from this approach to work: Boomers perceive that the ability to lead comes from the work experiences they have gained during those long work weeks.  Millennials, coming into management with fresh MBAs and leadership certifications, lack that experience.  As they bring their ideas and mindset into the workplace, these young leaders often challenge the established workforce with their "way of doing things" that hasn't been tried and tested over time, and won't be tried or tested if they insist on sticking to an 8-to-5 schedule.

    Work-life balance is one snapshot of many in which Millennial managers impact a multi-generational workforce.  This month Devon Scheef, co-founder of The Learning Cafe, will share other snap shots of Millennials as formal organizational leaders, how they view their own leadership, and how these create a gap between those protecting an organizational legacy and those pushing forward with approaches unencumbered with past practice.


    Join us for lunch this November 18 to explore this topic further!


  • 11/12/2015 8:03 PM | Denise Ross-Admin (Administrator)

    With sadness, we announce that ATD-OC has lost a long-time member, devoted volunteer, and friend. Sheri Long passed away on Monday, November 9, after a two-year battle with cancer. She was at home, at peace, and surrounded by family and friends. 

     

    Sheri, who joined our Chapter in 1993, was a consummate learning, development, and diversity professional. As a child, she grew up on a ranch alongside Mexican farm workers, thereby learning Spanish at the age of six. Later, she lived and studied in Mexico. This background, plus training and experience as a family counselor, lead to the vocation she loved so much. Her company, Amigos At Work, helped organizations lead, train, and engage their Hispanic workforce. Sheri volunteered for many organizations, especially those serving Orange County's Hispanic communities. She performed many volunteer roles for ATD-OC, including 2014 Vice President of Talent Management.

     

    If you knew Sheri, you know how much she is already missed. She had a rare kind of positive energy, which she brought wherever she went. David Hartl, Sheri's close friend and fellow Chapter member, captured her perfectly in the email he sent to inform us of her passing: 

    "Please, take a moment to pause and remember Sheri: her vitality, her talents, her laughter and party spirit, her colorful ideas and surroundings, her extraordinary bilingual skills, her knowledge of people and organizations . . . her impact on her many clients and systems that benefited from her leadership . . . Also, remember her love of fun and joy, and her amazing ability to share those qualities . . . "

    If you called Amigos At Work, and got her voicemail greeting, "Hola, amigo!" you felt she really meant it. When Sheri and I first worked together on the Chapter Board, I noticed right away her generous use of the Spanish word for friend -- and got used to being called "amiga." 

    Sheri's husband, Lee Pound, asks those who wish to share thoughts and memories of her to email them to lee@leepound.com. Be sure to type "About Sheri" in the Subject line. Also, a celebration of her life will be held at a time and place to be announced. If you wish to attend, please be sure Lee has your email address. 

    In the meantime, as David Hartl said, "we're going to miss that girl." 

    Yes, we will. Good-bye, amiga.

    Respectfully,

    Kathleen Ashelford, Past President

    On behalf of ATD-Orange County

  • 11/12/2015 9:34 AM | Denise Ross-Admin (Administrator)

    2016 News: Your 2016 ATD-OC Board has been working hard in preparation for next year. First they met with the current board for wisdom transfer and next an onboarding session and idea exchange meeting on October 17th. Last night we met in virtual meeting to discuss details to create member value through programs, volunteer and leadership opportunities.

    The underlying theme for 2016 is Explore, Experience, Share and our focus for first quarter ATD-OC programing is ‘Local Treasures’.

    Over the next few months, we will be reaching out for presenters to fill various program needs for 2016. Additionally, if you have dynamic content to present or know others with exciting content our members would enjoy experiencing, please contact or have them contact presidentelect@atdoc.org or president@atdoc.org with information about these "Hidden Treasures."

  • 11/09/2015 9:34 AM | Paul Venderley (Administrator)

    We are saddened to learn of the passing of Jay Cross, a pioneer in the informal learning field. Jay was an ASTD Orange County presenter in the late 'aughts where he spoke, I believe, on what he called "time deflation" and its impact on learning, predicting a further reliance on eLearning as a training solution, and identifying a push for informal learning to support an employee's need to learn on the job.

    This presentation was unique (for our chapter) in that Jay delivered it from his boat anchored off the Central American coast while we listened in the DoubleTree Club conference room, simultaneously informed and inspired with new life goals.

    Jay was on a continuous quest for knowledge, the results of which you can glean from his continuously expanding digital footprint.  You can learn more about how far-ranging Jay's quest took him from his Internet Time Alliance peer Harold Jarche.



  • 11/02/2015 7:57 AM | Paul Venderley (Administrator)

    2015 ATD-OC Programs Value Survey

    We would like to start by thanking each and every one you for your time, your attention, your perspective, and your obvious genuine interest in advancing the mission of the ATD Orange County Chapter.

    In July, we sent a survey asking for your input and insights into chapter activities, programs, and overall value. Click the link to find the final results and recommendations from the program survey.

    Thank you again for contributing to YOUR chapter and YOUR membership. Look forward to seeing YOUR programs in 2016.

    Yours in service,

    Jolynn Atkins, President

  • 10/06/2015 10:36 AM | Paul Venderley (Administrator)

    We asked Kevin Thorn, Articulate Community Hero and facilitator of this month's Articulate Fundamentals Workshop, what will you want you learners to be able to do by the end of the class? 

    The answer surprised us.  "By the end of the class," Kevin replied, "I want them to think differently about their designs.

    "If you think differently about the way you design and not try to design within a tool... if you think through the behaviour of what you want your learner to experience -- the user experience -- think about that first, design that, and I guarantee you Storyline can build what you want to design." 

    In this "extended cut" from our Kevin Thorn interview, we hear more about his approach to eLearning design, and why pencil and paper are such important resources at this stage.

    You can listen to the extended cut here. 

    Haven't heard the entire interview? Check it out here.


    More details on the Storyline Fundamentals workshop here.





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