A Message from the VP of Finance

Doing More With Less . . .

It’s not original, but it is the overall theme for many of us professionally and personally right now. Your ASTD-Cascadia Chapter is not any different. Hello, I’m Holly Barats, the ASTD-Cascadia Vice President of Finance for 2010 and a training professional for 15 years. I have been a member of the chapter since 2006 and a volunteer on the finance team and other teams since joining.

Officially the 2010 board positions started in November of 2009. At that meeting I got to present past budgets, set the ground work for the 2010 budget process, and deliver the news that we are operating fiscally on the tightest budget we have seen in the past 12 years (I didn’t check back any further). If we are unable to offer valued services and programs our members want, then as a chapter, we cannot sustain our services to the end of the year. Trust me, not a popular message, but one that needed to be heard.

So with that on our minds, the wheels began turning, dialogue about chapters needs, direction, and services happened, and all with one question at the center: Do these things provide value in meeting one or more of our chapter objectives:

• Professional Development
• Business Development
• Networking Opportunities
• Giving Back

In December, just 3 weeks later, we sat down to finalize our 2010 budget. What came out of that process left me in awe. I cannot impress upon you enough what a dedicated, creative board you have this year; heavily buoyed by the numerous volunteers helping make the commitments with regards to what we can accomplish this coming year. They came back and said, this year we will do more with less. By the end of the meeting we had our 2010 budget finalized, and “in the black”.

In 2010, we may not see coffee or food at chapter events and programs, but it’s not about the coffee, is it? It’s about learning and growing as professionals and knowing we have a strong network to support us in that undertaking . . . so you will see more value in the core offerings. More events, more programs, more occasions to network, more professional development opportunities, and more chances to volunteer. In that endeavor, your board is dedicated.

Your participation in chapter events not only helps you, but it helps your chapter too! Read the newsletters, check out the website, get involved and join other training professionals all doing more with less . . . Contact anyone on the Board if you want to know more. And by all means, join us at a Board meeting. We want to know how the chapter can provide value to you!

Holly Barats
VP of Finance
ASTD-Cascadia Chapter
hmbarats@gmail.com

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