ATD Greater Atlanta Communities of Practice

Serving the Greater Atlanta Learning and Development Community

Serving on the Greater Atlanta ATD executive board from the fall of 2020, I've worked to grow and stabilize our chapters' Communities of Practice as Vice President, CoPs. My primary focus is providing unique learning opportunities where members can meet in smaller groups to learn about industry trends, try out new skills, network with peers, and grow professionally.

In 2020, I served as the director of the Career Development Community of Practice.

Below you will find information related to some of the responsibilities and achievements associated with the roles I've held on that committee.

Role: VP, Communities of Practice

Primary Responsibility: Overseeing the strategy and execution of the CoP Programming arm of Greater Atlanta ATD.

Additional Tasks and ongoing Responsibilities

• Developing a Community of Practice strategy to support chapter mission, vision, and goals

• Serving as the primary liaison for the CoPs with

• Collaborating with other Programming Chairs to define and execute a learning roadmap for our members' continuing education needs, maintaining a laser focus on practical programming for CoPs

• Applying a data-driven approach to addressing programming concerns and changing learner needs

• Managed CoP creating, planning, and release of marketing communications

• Rewriting existing web copy and other communications representing the CoPs in an effort to clarify the purpose and mission of CoPs

• Leading a team of three CoP Directors to provide programming in the areas of Learning Technologies, Learning and Development, and Career Development

• Recruiting, onboarding, and training CoP Directors and other volunteers

• Creating and managing the CoP budget

CoP Strategy Map .pdf

Strategy & Program Execution

Developing a Community of Practice strategy to support the chapter's mission, vision, and goals
Applying a data-driven approach to addressing programming concerns and changing learner needs
Defining and executing on a learning roadmap for our members' continuing education needs, maintaining a laser focus on practical programming for CoPs
Leading a team of three CoP Directors to provide programming in the areas of Learning Technologies, Learning and Development, and Career Development

Sample Events and Social Media Communications

Drafting, developing, and release planning for CoP marketing communications

Role: Director, Career Development CoP

Primary Responsibility: Producing events for a community of learning professionals interested in advancing their own careers and helping others develop their own skills and expertise.

View the Rise Like a Phoenix Resource Page

In mid-2020, I planned the Rise Like a Phoenix series, a three-part learning journey designed to address the career uncertainties that the L&D world faced due to COVID-19.

The entire event was designed to help professionals prepare for the inevitable career changes, engage them, and ultimately, become even stronger and more successful than before.

The first two sessions established a connection with L&D professionals who had two different, but difficult, career journeys.

Event 1: Rising Through Seas of Change was an interview with a learning professional who had navigated several ups and downs over the course of his career.

Event 2: Rising From the Unexpected examined the story of a learning professional who coped with an unexpected transition after more than 20 years in the same industry.

I facilitated interview-style conversations with the guests that allowed attendees to learn from their journeys. Importantly, in each event, the conversations also focused on how each guest dealt with their emotional uncertainties and the practical steps they took to overcome their unexpected career challenges and disappointments.

In the third and final event, we enjoyed an engaging and interactive conversation with a career coach.

Event 3: Preparing to Rise in Advance discussed how to prepare ahead of time to make a career transition, as well as the critical career planning skills needed to prepare for the inevitable ups and downs. Other topics discussed were:

- Building a winning resume
- Networking for future success
- Crafting a personal brand
- Staying interview-ready

Related awards and feedback from senior leaders and peers

Hi Esther,

I'm Steve from the ATD chapter in Oregon and I wanted to connect with you about the exemplary Community of Practice offering your chapter has. We're breaking ground on a similar offering for our members and of the several chapters we researched, your COP stands out the most!

I was hoping to chat briefly and get your top tips for a successful COP program. Are you open to that or might you suggest anyone else in your leadership? We would be very grateful!

Thanks,

-Steve

ATD-Cascadia President

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