Volume 2, Issue 2 Connections Page PPaaggee Page 1111 ...ASTD Nebraska P.O. Box 8273 Omaha, NE 68108 402.850.6710 ... Trainer's Institute provides a challenging opportunity for mastering

Page Page Page Page 1111 Connect ions Volume 2, Issue 2

Volume 2, Issue 2Volume 2, Issue 2Volume 2, Issue 2Volume 2, Issue 2 Spring 2009Spring 2009Spring 2009Spring 2009

Connections

ASTD Nebraska P.O. Box 8273

Omaha, NE 68108 402.850.6710

[email protected]

President’s Message - June 2009 Heather S. Davis

It’s June. Depending on your perspective, your year is half over,

or there is another half to make a difference. Is your glass half

empty or is it half full? If you’re feeling like your glass is half

empty, it’s time to reinvest in yourself by reconnecting with

ASTD Nebraska and ASTD national.

Build more word-of-mouth opportunities by meeting more people in your profession.

Have you ever met someone at an ASTD Nebraska monthly program and wanted to talk

more with them? Now is your chance! Join other ASTD Nebraska members for a fun

family social event at the Henry Doorly Zoo on June 27th. Call your ASTD Nebraska

friends and arrange to meet them there! In August, monthly programs return with

“Making Learning Real: How to Design Live Scenarios that Facilitate Effective

Learning.” Register on the ASTD Nebraska website today.

Additionally, ASTD Nebraska provides mentoring and mock interviewing opportunities

free to members. If you are interested in meeting on a regular basis with an experienced

training professional or would like to receive feedback about your interviewing skills,

contact the Director of Career Resources or Director of Mentoring today. You can find

board contact information on page 2 of this newsletter or on the Meet Our Board page of

the ASTD Nebraska website.

Hone your training skills. Mark your calendar for ASTD Nebraska’s award-winning

Trainer’s Institute program October 12th – 16th. Trainer’s Institute is a week-long

program that provides an overview for the training role. For individuals who are new to

the field of training, Trainer's Institute provides a challenging opportunity for mastering

the basic skills every trainer must have to succeed. During this five-day workshop,

experienced trainers share tips and techniques to help you improve your skills, confidence,

and professionalism. You engage in interactive sessions and receive personalized

feedback on your use of training techniques. Registration details will be posted soon to the

ASTD Nebraska website.

If you are more experienced, you should consider pursuing professional certification.

ASTD national offers the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)

credential that allows you to prove you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be a

high performing contributor to your employer or future employer. ASTD Nebraska

supports the certification with online resources and personalized coaching from local

CPLP-credentialed members.

(Continued on page 2)

Upcoming Events

June Family Social “Take a Walk on the Wild Side”

Henry Doorly Zoo Saturday, June 27

9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.

July No Program

August Monthly Meeting

“Making Learning Real: How to Design Live Scenarios that Facilitate Effective Learning”

Wednesday, August 12 10:45 a.m.—1:00 p.m.

For information on these and other upcoming events, visit

www.astdnebraska.org

In this issue...

President’s Message......................1

2009 Board of Directors .................4

June Family Social .........................3

Membership Information ................3

New Membership Pricing ...............4

Upcoming Programs for 2009 ........5

CPLP News ....................................6

Crucial Conversations ....................7

Membership Survey Results ..........8

ASTD Press....................................8

“Getting Return on Expectations:

The ‘New’ Kirkpatrick Model” .........9

“Economic Survival Guide”...........11

ASTD national Member

Benefit ..........................................11

E-Learning SIG.............................11


2009 Board of Directors2009 Board of Directors2009 Board of Directors2009 Board of Directors

Sign up to receive our online newsletter ~

Connections. Visit www.astdnebraska.org

President.............................................................Heather Davis [email protected] ...............................................................Home Instead, Inc.

Past President ...................................................Wendy Schultz [email protected] ............................................................ SuccessFactors

Secretary...................................................................Dollie Mott [email protected] ............................................................. Mutual of Omaha

Development Coach.......................................Angela Galloway [email protected] ..................................................................OPPD

national Liaison...................................................Kate Rempfer [email protected] ...............................................University of Nebraska at Omaha

Administration.................................................... Diane Eriksen ContactUs@ASTDNebraska.org..............................................................................OPPD

VP of Operations ...............................................Michael Merritt [email protected] .............................................Nebraska Medical Center

Treasurer...........................................................Amy Jorgensen [email protected] ............................................... Crew Training International

Director of Web ................................................... Sonja Hyman [email protected] ..................................................................TD Ameritrade

VP of Marketing & Communications ..............Andrew Houser [email protected]

Director of Marketing .................................Catherine Rawlings [email protected] ............................................. Applied Underwriters

Director of Communications................................Regina Dale [email protected] ........................................... Omaha Public Library

VP of Membership................................................. Angela Athy [email protected] ................................................Union Pacific Railroad

Dir. of Member Involvement .................................. Jamie Kelly [email protected] .............................................. HDR, Inc.

Dir. of Career Resources .........................Lee Anne Brownfield [email protected] .................................Union Pacific Railroad

Dir. of Mentoring .............................................. Amy Trenolone [email protected] ...................................................... Achieve Global

VP of Education...........................................Marilyn Czerwinski [email protected] ......................................................... Home Instead, Inc.

Director of Certification ......................................... Valerie Noll [email protected] ................................. Crew Training International

Director of Education............................................April Kassen [email protected] ....................Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

VP of Programming...............................................Sarah Julius [email protected] ......................................................West Corporation

Director of Programming.......................................... Terry Lee [email protected] .....................................Woodmen of the World

Director of Special Events.................................... Emily Hardy [email protected] ...........................................................Oriental Trading

In these uncertain times, prove the value of what you do. Mark your Fall calendar for ASTD Nebraska’s Measuring

Performance Series. In September, October, and November, we bring you the opportunity to spend time with Donald

Kirkpatrick, the originator of the Four Levels of Evaluation, and Jim Kirkpatrick, his son. In October, we provide a panel

discussion with practitioners who show their value in a tight economy, and in November, we bring you ASTD national’s

certificate program in Return on Investment (ROI) Skill-Building.

ASTD national also provides many resources for economic survival in our profession. See the “Economic Survival

Guide” article later in this issue for an overview of this amazing resource.

So are you ready for the beginning of the rest of 2009? Commit yourself to your professional development by scheduling

yourself and planning now, before the rest of the year slips away!

Comments? Concerns? Questions? Contact Heather at [email protected].

President’s Message (Continued from page 1)


Is Your Member Information UpIs Your Member Information UpIs Your Member Information UpIs Your Member Information Up----ToToToTo----Date?Date?Date?Date?

ASTD Nebraska Members—go to My Member Profile in the Members Only directory of the ASTD Nebraska website to update your information.

Step 1: Go to ASTDNebraska.org

Step 2: Log on to the Members Only section (you can request your user name or password if you can’t remember it)

Step 3: Select My Member Profile from the left menu bar

Step 4: Edit your information in the Edit Profile page

Step 5: Click Submit at the bottom of the Edit Profile page

You can also click the Edit Specialties link near the top of the page to add or delete specialties from your profile.

To stay informed of ASTD events, subscribe to the ASTD Nebraska Connections eNewsletter at www.astdnebraska.org/newsletter/subscribe.asp. You don’t have to be a member to subscribe. To unsubscribe, click the link near the bottom of the newsletter that you receive.

Sponsored by Oriental Trading CompanySponsored by Oriental Trading Company


Advertise with ASTD Nebraska. Contact [email protected] with ASTD Nebraska. Contact [email protected] with ASTD Nebraska. Contact [email protected] with ASTD Nebraska. Contact [email protected]

New ASTD Nebraska Membership PricingNew ASTD Nebraska Membership PricingNew ASTD Nebraska Membership PricingNew ASTD Nebraska Membership Pricing

The following are changes in ASTD Nebraska membership rates effective June 2009.

Classic membership rates will remain the same.

Student and Student Plus membership rates will also remain the same. (Undergraduate students must be

enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours, but graduate students are only required to be enrolled in a minimum

of 6 credit hours.)

Classic Plus membership combines the ASTD Nebraska membership with ASTD national membership.

Two additional categories: Seniors age 62 and over who want to join ASTD Nebraska only, and Senior Plus

for seniors who want to join both the ASTD Nebraska chapter and ASTD national.

To join or renew membership, download a membership application or complete an online application at

ASTDNebraska.org—click Membership.

*When joining ASTD national, use our CHIP Source Code: CH6064. Our Chapter receives credit for your

application.

Membership Type Description Cost

Student ASTD Nebraska Membership undergraduate students must be enrolled in a

minimum of 12 credit hrs.; graduates students,

6 credit hours)

$25.00

Student Plus ASTD Nebraska Membership & ASTD National Membership (undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hrs.; graduates students,

6 credit hours

$84.00

Classic ASTD Nebraska Membership $50.00

Classic Plus ASTD Nebraska Membership &

ASTD National Membership*

$219.00

Senior (Age 62 +) Classic (ASTD only) $35.00

Senior Classic Plus

(Age 62 +)

ASTD Nebraska Membership &

ASTD National Membership* $125.00


ASTD Nebraska 2009 Monthly ProgramsASTD Nebraska 2009 Monthly ProgramsASTD Nebraska 2009 Monthly ProgramsASTD Nebraska 2009 Monthly Programs

Mark your calendars for these 2009 ASTD Nebraska Monthly Programs!

The new venue for our 2009 monthly programs is the Scott Conference Center, located at 6450 Pine Street. The Scott Conference Center is a state-of-the-art conference center that offers advanced technology and versatile meeting space that better suits our needs.

Along with the change in venue comes a change in the meeting schedule, from the first Wednesday of every month to the 2nd Wednesday of the month.

The monthly programs fee is now $20 for members and $35 for non-members.

Upcoming 2009 Programs

June ......... Family Social at Henry Doorly Zoo, Saturday, June 27

July.......... Summer Break! No meeting scheduled.

August ..... “Making Learning Real: How to Design Live Scenarios that Facilitate Effective Learning”


CPLP Program ChangesCPLP Program ChangesCPLP Program ChangesCPLP Program Changes

The Knowledge Exam Content Outline Has Been Updated

The CPLP Knowledge Exam Content Outline has been updated to reflect changes to the profession as evidenced in a recent Competency Model pulse check study. While changes are not extensive, testers will find new and/or expanded information on the topics of leadership and technology introduced throughout the document. Please note that the new information will be in effect as of 3/31/09 but will only impact CPLP Knowledge Exam test takers who take the exam in September 2009 and thereafter. For complete information on CPLP Program Changes, go to www.astd.org/content/ASTDcertification/CPLPBulletinNoCQs.htm.

Work Product Submission

In an ongoing effort to maintain the quality and relevance of the CPLP exam and assessment process, ASTD CI has made changes to the work product submission requirements. You can also view these changes on the ASTD website - www.astd.org/content/ASTDcertification/CPLPBulletinNoCQs.htm.

CPLP 2009 Testing Schedule

Testing Window Registration Deadline Date

Knowledge Exam Work Product*

Sept 2009 August 7, 2009 Sept 19 –Oct 10

2009 March 4, 2010

Nov 2009 Nov 3, 2009 Nov 17 –Dec 13

2009

*Work product score turnaround is 8-12 weeks.

For more information

visit www.astd.org/

content/

ASTDcertification

CPLP 2009 Testing ScheduleCPLP 2009 Testing ScheduleCPLP 2009 Testing ScheduleCPLP 2009 Testing Schedule

The ASTD Certification Institute's Certified Professional in Learning and Performance Certification (CPLP) equips you with the tools to be the best in the field and lets employers know that you have real world, practical expertise that can be readily applied to the current work environment. CPLP gives you the capability, credibility and confidence to be a high performing contributor in your organization.

New CPLP Support Program launching this Summer!New CPLP Support Program launching this Summer!New CPLP Support Program launching this Summer!New CPLP Support Program launching this Summer!

We prepared a terrific support plan for CPLP candidates testing this fall, including online resources, subject matter coaches and CPLP mentors. The study program launches July 27th. However, in order to complete our planning, we need your input too. So please, don’t put it off any longer. Call Valerie Noll, CPLP, at 402-312-1118, or email [email protected] and let’s talk about your CPLP plans.


Certification ConversationCertification ConversationCertification ConversationCertification Conversation

Do your clients know what your CPLP credential could mean for them? Is your boss familiar with the quality associated with the acronym? Do you know how a CPLP employee brings value to the organization? If you answered no to any of these questions, take heart. Your ASTD Nebraska CPLP team has been hard at work this spring preparing to get the word out about our profession’s recent advances.

CPLP stands for Certified Professional of Learning and Performance. Earning this broad-based credential for Workplace Learning & Performance is a rigorous and challenging process. CPLP’s knowledge and expertise in the profession results in understanding the importance of balancing financial performance with the needs of the people in order to gain the best business results.

Many members of ASTD understand the value CPLP professionals could bring to their employer. Local communities across the country are much less exposed to this information. To help get the word out about CPLP benefits to organizations and businesses in our community, the Certification area within our chapter developed a presentation explaining ASTD’s transition from training & development to workplace learning & performance, and the CPLP’s role in business. Our well-received proposal is now ready to go on the road.

Would members in your organization benefit from learning more about ASTD’s certification, and how WLPs fit into the big picture? Contact Valerie Noll, CPLP, at [email protected] or Joe Hare, CPLP, at [email protected].

ASTD - Nebraska Chapter

Our Mission...

The mission of the Nebraska Chapter of ASTD is to enhance members' abilities to train,

develop and support clients and organizations and our local and global communities.

The Nebraska Chapter's Vision...

...is to be the preferred leader in workplace learning and performance.

Strategic Goals

Membership ~ support and advance member's career development

Profession ~ Demonstrate the value of the Workforce Learning and Performance profession

Community ~ Provide service to our community to encourage growth in ourselves and others


From ASTD Press...From ASTD Press...From ASTD Press...From ASTD Press...

Career Development Basics by Michael Kroth and McKay Christensen.

Even in the best financial times, career development is often relegated to the

back of the bus because it’s seen as a short-term cost rather than a long-term

investment with lasting impact. But the reality is that career development helps

people strive for meaningful accomplishment in the workplace, and both

individuals and organizations thrive when their goals are being met.

This book is intended to empower training and development leaders with the

knowledge and tools needed to become catalysts for bringing a career

development focus to their organizations. Because busy managers in today’s

hectic business environment already have plenty on their plates, Career

Development Basics jump-starts the learning curve by providing a succinct,

ready-to-apply approach to this challenge.

For more information, visit http://www.astd.org/content/publications/

ASTDPress/CareerDevelopmentBasics.htm. When making a purchase, remember to use the ASTD Nebraska

CHIP Source Code: CH6064. Our chapter receives credit for your purchase.

ASTD Nebraska Membership Survey ResultsASTD Nebraska Membership Survey ResultsASTD Nebraska Membership Survey ResultsASTD Nebraska Membership Survey Results In November of 2008, ASTD Nebraska conducted an annual end-of-the-year survey. The survey was designed

to obtain feedback to better understand the needs of our current members and help guide the chapter in future

planning. The survey was distributed electronically to the chapter’s then 350 members; a total of 125

members participated. Check the quarterly newsletter and bi-weekly Connections for more results to be

released in the future.

Positions of ASTD (ebraska Members

This graph shows the division of positions of the participants in this survey.


H ow do you know your training actually

delivers? You spend time researching the

topic, you create engaging activities, your

materials are well-crafted and relevant, and the

participants always seem to give you excellent scores

on the training evaluations you collect after class.

You are a very good trainer and you work hard to do

right by the people you serve. Being an expert

facilitator with altruistic motives, however, is not

enough to deliver what is expected of you as a trainer.

If you have learned the Kirkpatrick Four Levels for

evaluating training programs, you know how to

resolve this dilemma. Anyone who does any kind of

training for his or her company has likely been

exposed to this classic instruction for creating

effective training programs. Donald L. Kirkpatrick,

PhD. gave us this model fifty years ago and it has

proven itself to definitive and classic: our primer for

the art of transferring knowledge and skill to adult

learners. In short, the Kirkpatrick Four Levels is how

we prove our worth as trainers.

At a time when economic strain shakes every rung of

the corporate ladder, the notion of proving that what

we do provides real value to the bottom line is

extremely welcome. We all want to show the

connection that links performance to profit and the

good news is that we trainers have a way to do it.

Kirkpatrick calls it “Return on Expectations” (ROE)

and explains that this happens when we focus our

training efforts on the expectations of those who

request our training—the managers, supervisors, and

executives who ask us to help solve performance

problems and increase productivity with our training.

What does it mean to focus on their expectations? It

means asking, “What does success look like?” before

asking, “What will the training look like?” It means

spending more time building a partnership with

managers than designing the actual training programs.

It means following the four levels in reverse order

when we create training.

Research shows that we don’t do this. According to a

Columbia University study done in 2004 by Dr. Brent

Peterson, we invest about 85% of our energy and

resources into the actual learning event, only 10% in

the design and development, and a meager 5% in

follow-up. In order to create real training

effectiveness, to make it “stick” so to speak, he found

that a more appropriate ratio is spending only 24%

on the learning event, 26% on the pre-work,

and a whopping 50% on follow-up. This reinforces

the notion that we must have a strong relationship with

the managers we serve so that we can be involved in

what happens after

training. A study

done by ASTD in

2006 reveals that

70% of training

failure happens after

the training is done.

In other words, no

matter how well we

train it, if employees

don’t go back to

their desks and use

it, they lose it.

T h e w a y t o

overcome this is to

use the Kirkpatrick

Four Levels model

and work backwards

when we create our

training programs.

Recall that Level 1

is “Reaction.” This

is where we get

“ sm i l e y f a c e ”

feedback; where

trainees fill out

training evaluation

(Continued on page 10)

Getting Return on Expectations: The “New” Kirkpatrick ModelGetting Return on Expectations: The “New” Kirkpatrick ModelGetting Return on Expectations: The “New” Kirkpatrick ModelGetting Return on Expectations: The “New” Kirkpatrick Model Submitted by Catherine Rawlings


forms that tell us if they enjoyed the training and feel

it was helpful. Perhaps we even get a good idea here

and there for a way to improve the program. Level 2,

“Learning,” is the level of assessment where we pass

out the exam at the end of class or put the trainees

through a simulation that shows that they actually

learned something in the program. We are familiar

with these first two levels, they are easy to do, and

they are quite valuable.

Levels 3 and 4 are where we tend to drop the ball.

Level 3 is “Behavior,” and when we assess training at

this level we determine how well the participants

actually perform what they learned on the job. We

ask, “How well are they performing?” and “Are they

performing properly according to what was trained?”

Level 4 is “Results” where our partnership with

management really manifests its strength by helping

us assess how well those new behaviors affect the

bottom line. The partnership helps us answer

questions like “Did the new behaviors yield better

results?” and “How has the bottom-line benefited from

the increase in productivity?”

To work backward, we must create training that first

answers to Level 4 by asking, “What business results

are needed?” and “What does success look like for this

business unit?” That will direct the design of our

training program more effectively than asking, “What

should the training include?” or “How long should the

class be?” These questions come later, not first. Next,

we should transition to Level 3 by determining what

behaviors we want to create or improve in the

participants. This comes before asking what we want

them to think of the training. As counterintuitive as it

may seem, especially given that we are typically very

good at Levels 1 and 2 but most of us struggle with or

disregard Levels 3 and 4, we can find great success

when we start by considering the results and behaviors

needed and then move toward the design of the

learning and the learning experience.

Getting Return on Expectations (Continued from page 9) So, does your training deliver? Are you building your

training programs around clear expectations and

measuring results by monitoring the performance of

trainees at their desk as well as in the classroom?

Have you built the relationships you need to allow you

to truly partner with the departments you serve? If

not, this short article won’t do much more than give

you some clues for your search for success. However,

don’t lose hope! Your ASTD Nebraska chapter is

bringing the experts to you this fall. Not only will

there be a focus on measurement for the September,

October, and November programs—you will have the

rare and wonderful opportunity to hear all about the

Kirkpatrick model from Dr. Kirkpatrick himself!

September 9th will be a very extraordinary ASTD

luncheon, and one you won’t want to miss. Don

Kirkpatrick, PhD. will present “Evaluating Training

Programs: The Four Levels” and his son, Jim

Kirkpatrick, PhD., will follow his presentation with

“Training on Trial: Bringing the Business Partnership

Model to Life. This afternoon workshop will equip

you with the knowledge and skills you need to take

your training ability to the highest level. And really,

how can you pass up being a participant in a training

program designed by the experts who literally wrote

the book(s) on how to give participants exactly what

they need in a training program? In fact, be sure to

bring your books because they’ll be happy to sign

them.

In November, ASTD Nebraska brings a 2-day ASTD

national certificate program on return on investment.

The Economy might be down, but training provides

value, and there is a way to show it. So, as you ask

yourself these questions and as you tap into the

amazing resources of your ASTD membership,

remember that your worth as a trainer can and should

be proven. The tools exist and the training is available

to show you how to use them. ~


ASTD Special Interest GroupsASTD Special Interest GroupsASTD Special Interest GroupsASTD Special Interest Groups

For more information about e-learning topics, attend ASTD Nebraska’s E-Learning Special Interest Group

(SIG) meetings. ASTD Nebraska members can join the ASTD Nebraska E-Learning SIG Yahoo! group and/or

attend SIG meetings for free! Join the Yahoo! Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASTDNEE-Learning

and watch the ASTD Nebraska website for more information about monthly SIG meetings.

Economic Survival GuideEconomic Survival GuideEconomic Survival GuideEconomic Survival Guide

Submitted by Kate Rempfer

With economic concerns on the raise, members at ASTD can think easy. ASTD national provides resources

and information for trainer’s with questions and concerns about the latest economic situation. The Economic

Survival Guide(http://www.astd.org/ASTD/aboutus/Economic-Survival-Guide) is a collection of ASTD

articles, book chapters, job aids, and Web links, providing insight and information WLP professionals seek in

these difficult economic times. Some resources include articles focusing on

topics such as:

• Training Budgets Graph

• Gen Y Proves Loyalty in Economic Downturn

• Leadership in Lean Times

• Customer Care Remixed

• Shaky Confidence

• Steady Under Pressure: Training During a Recession

• Switching Gears Leads to New Careers

• Waiting to Exhale

More information may also be found by visiting infoline.astd.org. Infoline

provides concise and practical information written specifically for trainers and

other workplace learning and performance professionals.

Free Access to TrainingFree Access to TrainingFree Access to TrainingFree Access to Training----Related Magazines, Periodicals, and NewspapersRelated Magazines, Periodicals, and NewspapersRelated Magazines, Periodicals, and NewspapersRelated Magazines, Periodicals, and Newspapers

ASTD announces this exceptional new member benefit! You now have immediate access to full-text articles

from T+D, Learning Circuits, and thousands of leading periodicals, journals, newspapers, and regional

business news through quick and easy quick and easy searches of the ASTD Online Library (www.astd.org/

content/research/doYourOwn/doYourOwn.htm).

Search articles from more than 3,000 magazines, periodicals, and newspapers; access regional business news

and corporate profiles. This benefit is available only to members of ASTD national.

Volume 2, Issue 2 Connections Page PPaaggee Page 1111 ...ASTD Nebraska P.O. Box 8273 Omaha, NE 68108 402.850.6710 ... Trainer's Institute provides a challenging opportunity for mastering

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