What is Professional Development?
At ASTD Golden Gate, we define professional development as any webinar, program or workshop that helps our members build their own skillset and deepen their knowledge in a particular area. True, our monthly programs are designed to educate and inform, but professional development programs go one step further to provide opportunities to learn from and practice with the experts. Our professional development workshop facilitators are industry leaders and offer their services to our members at a significant value compared to a public webinar or conference. In fact, often times they are building upon content offered during a monthly program. 

Right now, you can register for an intensive two day workshop that will give you tools to lead effective employee engagement initiatives and offer proven strategies to boost performance.  If you attend this workshop, you will also receive free copies of Elizabeth Doty's The Compromise Trap and David Sirota's The Enthusiastic Employee. Look for upcoming workshops such as Change Management and Influence. These are all programs you do not want to miss.

If you have a suggestion about a workshop, please feel free to email me at profdev@astdgoldengate.org.

Exciting Monthly Programs for 2012
Keep abreast of the hot topics in workplace learning and performance by attending our monthly programs in 2012! During the first part of 2012, we'll continue with our exploration of ASTD's CPLP Nine Competencies, covering the remaining three topics: Improving Human Performance, Managing the Learning Function and Managing Organizational Knowledge. Stay tuned for the new program series beginning in May of 2012, to continue through the remainder of the year.

How to Drive this Website
We hope you find our new multi-function website platform useful and user-friendly.  New features include enhanced networking via searchable profiles and group forums; consolidated event announcements and registrations; the ability to track your own chapter activities and payments, even allowing you to print your own receipts, communicate with other site users, and the addition of several member-only areas, e.g. job listings, member directory, registration for SIG and GIG meetings.  

HOW TO LOG IN:
CURRENT CHAPTER MEMBERS: in order to access member rates and member-only pages, you must log into the site. Here's How: Enter your email address in the box in the upper right and astdgg as your initial password. You should then choose a new password, complete your profile and select your privacy and email settings.  You are now free to roam the site as a member.

NON CHAPTER MEMBERS: if you have been receiving event emails in the past, then your record has been imported, and you will continue to receive them. If you have not been receiving emails and wish to be on our mailing list, please log in to the site with the email address where you have been receiving chapter emails.  Then click on 'Forgot Password'.  The system will send you a password (which you may change). You may then set up your profile and email settings according to your preferences.  

NEW PAYMENT SYSTEM: 
When you register for an event or membership, you will be directed to our Paypal gateway, where you may use either your credit card or your own paypal account to remit payment.

SUGGESTIONS, GLITCHES, CONTACT: There will no doubt be some hiccups initially so please let us know if you have a problem or a suggestion or just need a bit more help. Send an email to admin@astdgoldengate.org and you will get a quick response.