Chapter News

Ms. Rebecca Hanson Bass, a graduate student at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville pursuing her Master's Degree in Management and Human Resources, is the 2018 recipient of the Smoky Mountain Chapter's Student Scholarship!  As the distinguished recipient, she received a $1,000.00 scholarship from the ATD Smoky Mountain Chapter. 

In her application Rebecca stated, “I’ve chosen to become certified in Emotional Intelligence after attending the [June 2018] ATD Smoky Mountain Chapter presentation by LeeAnn Foster. Receiving this scholarship provides me the opportunity to increase my knowledge and push myself out of my comfort zone, so I may always be learning.”

For more information on the Smoky Mountain Chapter’s Scholarship Program, or to make a donation to the Scholarship Program, please click here. 

March 2018 -- Chapter Member Receives CPLP

Congratulations to Smoky Mountain Chapter Member Anne Scott!  Anne recently passed the rigorous requirements involved to become a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)!  

Becoming a CPLP places Anne among an elite community of learning and development professionals world-wide.  We are so proud of you! 

To learn more about the CPLP process and exam, click here.

January 2018 -- Meeting Prepay Option

In working in a struggling economy in the recent years, there has been the need for what I call “creative development”.  The type of development that doesn’t require travel, an expense account, registration fees or per

diem.  Plainly put, this is development on a shoe-string budget.  This is a challenging concept but one that OD professionals have adapted to in the recent past.  So, how can you offer development to your entire team (fairness) at the same time (alignment) with minimum financial impact (cost)?  Starting a staff book club may be the answer.  For several years, I’ve had the pleasure of leading a team of professionals through the development phase of their career with this approach.  Depending on the organizational goals of the company as well as the foundational competencies of the team, I compile a list of 4-5 book options and ask the team to vote.  The book receiving the most votes wins.  Each team member receives a copy along with a prescribed reading schedule for the next 8-12 weeks.  20 minutes is set aside each week for the team members to discuss their reactions, findings and observations to the assignment.  At the end of the book, the team chooses one area, either personal or business, in need of improvement and applies a new concept from the book.  Each team member then provides updates on their progress for the remainder of the year.  Over the years, my team has covered a variety of topics ranging from the algorithms of technology to how love works in corporate America.  In turn, I’ve been exposed to concepts and ideas that wouldn’t ordinarily interest me but have certainly broadened my perspective on business and increased my capacity for the unknown.  As Plato once said, “Necessity is the mother of invention”.  What development tools have you invented during these lean times?  

January - 2015

The Smoky Mountain Chapter has proudly achieved 100% CORE compliance for 2014! This process involved meeting 18 rigorous requirements from ATD National.

January 2015 -- Chapter Moves to Fridays for Monthly Lunch Meeting

• Engaging adult learners in the classroom
  
• Creating a stimulating learning environment
  
• Fifteen tips for getting learners back from break on time
  
• Nine strategies for appealing to visual learners
  
• Eight tactics for gaining and holding learner attention
  
• Five strategies for enhancing your learning environments