President's Message

We just completed the annual chapter membership survey and I want to share a few of the results with you.  Also, a PowerPoint presentation with all the results will be posted on the CCASTD web site in the very near future.  I hope you take time to review it.

This year, 207 members completed the survey and this represents approximately 18 percent of the chapter membership.  The figure is below what we had hoped for, but does represent a diverse cross-section of respondents with 35 percent having been a member of CCASTD for more than five years, 42 percent having been a member for between one and five years and 23 percent a member for less than one year. 

As for the topics members most would like to see CCASTD present programs on, four stood out – Designing Learning, Improving Human Performance, Measuring and Evaluating Learning, and Facilitating Organizational Change.  Coincidentally, these are four of the nine Areas of Expertise from the ASTD Competency Model which has served as the foundation for much of the chapter programming over the past several years. 

The survey also asked a question about what members found most valuable in attending CCASTD programs or events and again four areas stood out – Get new ideas, Listen to experts, Network, and Learn new skills.  If you haven’t attended a chapter program recently, these are four pretty good reasons to attend one in the near future.  In fact, on July 21 st, the chapter is hosting a networking event (there will be no presentations and no PowerPoint slides) at the Hard Rock Café in downtown Chicago from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m.  In addition to CCASTD members, a special invitation is also being extended to all the attendees of the ASTD certificate programs being held in Chicago that week at the Allerton Hotel.  So come join us and network with other workplace learning and performance professionals from not only Chicago, but all over the United States.

Regards,

Ken Phillips

CCASTD Board Elections

The Nominating Committee is taking applications for those who wish to run for office on the 2009 Board. We are looking for members who want an opportunity to contribute to the advancement of our profession while being in a highly visible position in the Chicago training community. All members are welcome to apply for any position. President Elect requires a minimum of one year service on a previous CCASTD board. Applications must be received by Friday, August 1.

Click Here to view the Board Member Application

Click Here to view the full listing of Job Descriptions

Questions can be directed to Nominating Committee chair, Shel Newman at shel.newman@sbcglobal.net

CCASTD Events

Using Conflict Creatively
August 21, 2008

How often have you experienced winning battles only to end up losing the war? Or been frustrated because you can't get what you want? If the answer is "Too often", this session is for you!

This session blends martial arts with science to demonstrate how conflict can be used in a productive way. You will leave with a fresh perspective about conflict and skills you'll be able to use everyday.

The session includes visual demonstrations, interactive exercises, light physical movement, and lecture. All learning styles are addressed in the program making it ideal for all types of learners. Enhanced leadership skills and the ability to cope with change are natural by-products of this program.

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2008
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 Registration/Dinner/Networking
           6:30 - 8:00 Interactive Session

Location: Newell Rubbermaid Office Products
                 2707 Butterfield Road
                 Oakbrook, IL 60523

Cost (Dinner Included):
         Members $29
         Non-Members $39
         Students $24

Click Here to View the Flyer
Click Here To Register Today

65 th Anniversary Celebration
September 4, 2008

Come one! Come all! Join us on Thursday, September 4 th, to celebrate CCASTD’s 65 th anniversary. We’re holding a cocktail reception and dinner at the recently opened Trump International Hotel & Tower in downtown Chicago.

In addition to good food and drink, you’ll also have an opportunity to meet and mingle with other CCASTD members and guests amidst the elegant trappings of the new Trump hotel. Who knows, you might even run into The Donald!

Date: Thursday, September 4th
Time: 5:30 – 6:45 Registration and Cocktail Reception
           6:45 – 8:00 Buffet Dinner
           8:00 – 9:00 Dessert
Location: Trump International Hotel & Tower

Cost: TBD

Click Here To Register Today

CPLP Boot Camp
September 13, 2008  

This half-day workshop is for Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) candidates preparing for the knowledge-based exam and/or the work product submission -- and for the CPLP-curious!

Upon completion of this interactive workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Understand the history, development, and purpose of the Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP) certification program, including what's in it for them.
• Define the criteria for both the Knowledge-based Exam and Work Product Submission phases.
• Begin to assess one's individual readiness to enter the certification process.
• Implement tips & tricks to successfully pass both phases of the certification program.

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2008
Time: 8:30am - 2:30pm
Location: DePaul University (Naperville Campus)
                150 W. Warrenville Road
                 Naperville, IL 60563
                 Room (To Be Determined)

Cost (Includes coffee service and lunch):
         Members - $99
         Non-Members - $124

Click Here To Register Today

Chapter Recognition Program and Networking Event
September 25, 2008

Are you curious about who has earned their CPLP credentials in the chapter and why they decided to do so? Did you join CCASTD to develop real relationships with chapter members? If you answered yes to either question, this is the event you don't want to miss!  

Join us for a Chapter-wide Recognition Event honoring members who have earned their CPLP credentials as Certified Professionals in Learning and Performance. We will be honoring over 20 of our current colleagues who have completed this journey! We urge you to come out to help celebrate them. This will also be an opportunity for others to gather more information directly from CPLP holders to access whether this is a credential right for you or members of your organization. Come out to participate in a spirited "Who Wants to be a 'CPLPnaire' " (a spin off of the "Who wants to be a Millionaire" game) with us. Sharpen your pencils and bring your questions with you because we will have a room of CPLP experts to give it to you straight.

The second half of this event is all about connecting with current colleagues and making   new connections. LinkedIn has nothing on us when it comes to face-to-face networking.  It will be a chance to spend a relaxing evening building and fortifying your professional network. This will also be your opportunity to continue the dialogue one-on-one with CPLP members if you still have unanswered questions.

You won't want to miss it!

Contact Person: Gwen Onatolu; gwen@teamforresults.com

Date: Thursday, September 25, 2008
Time: 5:30-8:00 pm
Location: TBD

Cost (Includes dinner):
         $25 Members
         $35 Non-Members

Click Here to View the Flyer
Click Here To Register Today

Other CCASTD News

Community Relations Spotlight

Do you want to help out in the community? Do you want to help someone become the best he or she can be? Do you want to expand your own experiences? Then you’ll want to check out the Community Relations page at http://www.ccastd.org/community_relations.html and explore the current community organizations that could use your expertise and care.

Two community organizations currently seeking assistance are the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater Chicago Chapter. The American Red Cross is looking for:

• Assistance in creating an employee mentoring program.
• Guidance in creating a supervisory training curriculum.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is looking for:

• A facilitator/motivational speaker to lead a training event or a group of volunteers.
• Assistance in developing a Junior MS Society Board comprised of young professional volunteers charged with fundraising and increasing MS awareness.

For more information about these opportunities click on the link above or contact Robert Addis, Director Community Relations for CCASTD at: addisr@ucanchicago.org or phone 312-738-5941.

Want To Get Published?

Consider submitting an article to Training Today, CCASTD's award winning quarterly magazine.  We are always looking for articles addressing issues facing people working in the field of Workplace Learning and Performance.  Follow the link below for contributor guidelines and more information about Training Today and the article review process. 

Click Here For Contributor Guidelines

Member News

Renewing Members

We would like to recognize and congratulate the following members on their multiple years of chapter involvement:

New Members

We would like to recognize and welcome the following new chapter members:

Around the Chapter

We would like to extend our congratulations to three chapter members, Veronica Bruhl, Howard Prager and Ken Phillips, for their recent accomplishments. Veronica was named National ASTD Volunteer of the Year and was honored at this year’s ASTD International Conference and Exposition in San Diego. Howard and Ken were chosen to present at the conference. Howard co-presented a session titled: “Learning in a Frenzied World: Strategies for Grabbing Learners Attention” and Ken presented a session titled: “Developing Valid Level 1 Evaluation Forms.”

CPLP News

CPLP™ Members: Have you started to prepare your Recertification Application?

The CPLP™ credential is valid for 3 years. To recertify, you will either need to retest (who wants to go through that again) or gain points through professional development. If the professional development option is selected, you must accumulate 60 CPLP recertification points within the three year recertification period.  If you were certified as part of the pioneer group, now is the time to begin thinking about preparing your recertification package.

The recertification process requires you to submit a completed application/tracking worksheet providing evidence of professional development activities.  If your certification began April 1, 2006, your certification application is due between 12/31/08 and 4/30/09.

For detailed information regarding the recertification program policies, process, a copy of the recertification application/tracking worksheet, a listing of recertification program FAQs and a copy of the recertification PowerPoint presentation introduced at the 2008 ASTD International Conference and Exposition, visit the ASTD website below.

http://www.astd.org/content/ASTDcertification/CPLP+Recertification.htm

Professional Development Networks

PDNs exist as way for the CCASTD community to share information and collaborate in a relaxed setting on training, workplace performance, and organizational development topics. PDN audiences include training professionals, independent consultants, students, practitioners from corporate and small business, and anyone who has an interest in a particular topic that a PDN sponsors.

Speakers range from authors, facilitators, chapter members, allied organizations, vendors or open forums on hot topics, new ideas and common interests.

PDNs meet monthly, semi-monthly, quarterly or when it is convenient for the PDN core group and are free to attend.

We encourage you to visit any of the CCASTD PDNs. Email any of the conveners below for more information and meeting dates.

Corporate University
Provides a forum for professionals involved with corporate universities to share information and network.

Naomi Berkove, 312-960-8108, nberkove@owpp.com

Cognitive Learning Science (CLS)
Cognitive Science and Cognitive Neuroscience study how people think and learn. This is a rapidly expanding area, which uses quantitative, scientific methods to understand the mechanics of how people actually learn, and tie it to the underlying neurological mechanisms.

Dr. Marty Rosenheck, Mrosenheck@cedarinteractive.com
Susan Robbins, 847-331-3771, srobbins@cedarinteractive.com

Internal Consulting (Chicago)
The Internal Consulting PDNs partner with the local ODN chapter and are spit into three geographic locations. Each geographic area usually meets separately. The PDNs focus on internal consulting issues inside organizations that cross the spectrum of Organizational Development, Human Resources, and Training & Development topics. Key areas of focus include learning from one another’s experiences and exploring new perspectives and resources.

Chicago:
Christopher Tadda, 312-557-5295, cmt2@ntrs.com

Northwest Suburbs:
John Kelly, john.kelly@us.schneider-electric.com
http://www.northwestpdn.com/

Western Suburbs:
Cathy Mejia, 630 798-2554, cmejia@nicor.com

Lake Forest/Lake Bluff/North Suburbs
This group is organized to connect with HRD professionals in the northern suburbs to explore, discuss, and share resources with one another.

Ken Phillips, ken@phillipsassociates.com
Howard Prager, hprager@lfgsm.edu

Organizational Development Initiatives
Focusing on different OD interventions, such as Dialogue, Open Space Technology, and Culture Change, that the learning community is particularly interested in exploring.

Eleanor Alandy, 847-317-4943, eleanor.alandy@gmail.com

Job Postings

6/24/08
Computer Applications Trainer
Northwestern University
http://www.northwestern.edu/employment/index.html

Job Description/Requirements:

The central responsibilities of the Computer Applications Trainer are to manage and facilitate all software application courses offered to University employees through the Development Division of the Office of Human Resources, and to keep abreast of and help implement on-line technology for learning and performance support.

Specific Responsibilities:

Preparing for and delivering all software computer applications workshops;
Conducting custom computer applications coaching sessions for individuals and departments;
Keeping abreast of and contributing to the design and implementation of on-line technology to support learning and performance;
Managing the computer training facility and handle room scheduling;
Leading and contributing to division projects and back up team members with coordination and administrative support;
Working with the Development team to assist with marketing material and course scheduling preparation;
Performing other related duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in education, education technology or related degree or the equivalent combination of experience from which comparable skills can be acquired (with coursework in adult learning, facilitation, instructional design preferred);
Proficiency in and a thorough understanding of Microsoft Office Suite, Macromedia Dreamweaver, PhotoShop, Adobe Acrobat, and other computer applications as needed;
The ability to be helpful, respectful, approachable, and team oriented to build strong working relationships and a positive work environment;
Excellent written and verbal communications skills;
Creativity;
A team player.

Preferred Qualifications:

Some coursework in instructional design and adult learning theory;
At least two years experience facilitating computer applications workshops.

Travel between Evanston and Chicago campuses required.

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter and salary range requirements.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.

Salary/Benefits: TBD

Contact Information
http://www.northwestern.edu/employment/index.html

Contact Preference: Apply Online

6/26/08
Training Manager
U.S. Bank
www.usbank.com

Job Description/Requirements:

Identify, design and assess training tools, resources, programs and policies to support the Wealth Management business line. Develop and recommend new training programs. Assess and advise management on effectiveness of programs and practices. Analyze training needs and investigate available training options. Analyze, recommend and negotiate vendor contracts.

Master's degree or equivalent work experience. Eight or more years training experience. Advanced knowledge of the design, delivery, administration and evaluation of training and development programs. Excellent consultative, project management, analytical, planning and organizational skills. Ability to interact effectively with all levels of management. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

Salary/Benefits: Excellent and complete benefits package. Position located downtown Chicago.

Contact Information
Linda Sincoff
1520 5th Avenue
Seattle, WA. 98111
Tel: 206-344-5306
www.usbank.com

Contact Preference: Apply Online

7/2/08
Training Manager
Hometown America

Job Description/Requirements:

Training Manager
Hometown America was recently selected "Best in Class" by its peers. As Training Manager, you will create a "Best in Class" experience for employees by implementing programs that align training and developmental plans with competencies and skill development needs.

Responsibilities include:
. Assessing and monitoring current and future learning needs
. Creating technical/soft skill training courses
. Constructing programs of study for operations positions
. Facilitating soft skill training to internal groups
. Recommending/maintaining a process for tracking course schedules, attendance, instructors, completion, and certificates
. Designing and delivering train-the-trainer programs
. Assessing and monitoring the effectiveness of training programs
. Selecting external training development vendors where needed
. Developing the training and development budget with the VP of HR and COO

Requirements:

. Five to seven years of success as an internal training and development practitioner
. Five to seven years of developing, analyzing, and measuring soft skill and technical web based learning
. Comprehensive knowledge of instructional design techniques, methods, and resources
. Five to seven years delivering and facilitating training programs
. Intermediate Microsoft Office skills required
. Working knowledge of WebEx or similar platform preferred
. Availability for overnight travel

Salary/Benefits: $85,000

Contact Information
Chris Devereux
Chicago, IL
Tel: 630-655-1010
Fax: 630-655-0564
cdevereux@yourhradvisors.com

Contact Preference: Email

7/9/08
Instructional Designer
Option Six, Inc.
www.optionsix.com

Job Description/Requirements:

Option Six (O6) focuses on the development of custom blended and e-learning solutions.

The primary responsibilities of the instructional designer are to understand our clients' needs, design an effective instructional approach, lead the development team, and ensure the overall project quality and success.

By focusing on trusted partnerships, Option Six has become a preferred provider at a variety of Fortune 500 companies. We have been recognized repeatedly for the quality of our products and our business; winning six international awards for our products and eight awards for entrepreneurship. Option Six was recently named by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will work closely with the client stakeholders and subject matter experts to:

. Make appropriate design decisions that lead to the development of effective performance solutions
. Collaborate with the O6 & client teams to determine effective instructional strategies, appropriate objectives, logical content organization, meaningful scenarios, and effective instructional media
. Use effective SME interview techniques to efficiently gather content information and feedback.
. Write content and media scripts in ways that promote efficient and effective learning
. Write engaging practice and assessment activities that match objectives.
. Review content and scripts written by others for quality, creativity, and adherence to O6 principles
. Analyze feedback gathered during Alpha & Beta testing

Qualifications: Solid understanding of instructional design and performance development required. Demonstrated time management, client facilitation, team leadership, and interpersonal skills. Must display original thinking and creativity and excel at meeting challenges with resourcefulness and innovative ideas. Must enjoy working with teams in a fast-paced, energetic environment.

Education: A master's degree in instructional systems or related field. At least two years experience in the training industry is optimal.

Salary/Benefits: Based on experience

Contact Information
Natalie Bouse
Tel: 812-330-0606
jobs@optionsix.com
www.optionsix.com

Contact Preference: Email, or Phone

Alliance Organization Information

Chicago International Society for Performance Improvement (CISPI):
For more information, visit: www.cispi.com

Chicago Coaching Federation
For more information, visit: www.chicagocoaches.com

Chicago Organization Development Institute Chapter
For more information, visit: http://www.codic.us/

National Speakers Association—Illinois
For more information, visit: http://www.nsa-il.org/index.html

Society of Human Resource Professionals
For more information, visit: www.stc-chicago.org/portal/index.php

Association of Professional Careers International
For more information, visit: http://www.acpinternational.org/events.html

Society of Insurance Trainers and Educators
For more information, visit: http://www.insurancetrainers.org/guests_index.php