SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Dear Members,

For over twelve years ASTD Houston has kept steady the price of monthly programs, professional development events, and annual membership dues. We have absorbed the increases in costs from our service providers.

Your elected Board of Directors is responsible for the financial health of ASTD Houston.  
Our goal is to remain fiscally sound while offering members the highest quality programming for our general meetings and professional development events, networking opportunities, a content-rich website and services such as the annual conference, Career Center and Consultant Referral Directory. To accomplish these goals, we have increased our General Meeting Pricing and Annual Membership Dues.   

General Meetings

·       Pre-Registered Member $32.50

·       Pre-Registered Guest $39.50

·       Walk-In Member $40.00

·       Walk-In Guest $45.00

A great benefit to keep in mind is that ASTD Houston offers a General Meeting Discount Card (GMDC). The GMDC is available to members only, offers a discount on each General Meeting and is good for a twelve month period.  To use the GMDC, you must pre-register for the General Meeting at which time you will receive the discounted rate for your General Meeting purchase.

The GMDC is available in three amounts.

·       3 Months for $90.00 (a savings of $7.50)

·       6 Months for $170.00 (a savings of $25.00)

·       9 Months for $242.50 (a savings of $50.00)

The new annual Membership Dues are:

·       Regular $125/year

·       Corporate $115/year (minimum of five members per company)

·       Student $45/year (may be required to provide proof of enrollment with a minimum of 12 hours for undergraduate and 9 hours for graduate students per semester)

The 2007 ASTD Houston Chapter survey indicates that 60% of all membership dues are paid for by members’ employers. To assist businesses to manage their costs for this employee benefit, we offer a Corporate Membership Program that reduces the overall cost of membership when five or more employees of that Company join ASTD Houston at the same time.

The 2008 Board thinks that you will see a return on your membership investment in multiple benefits such as:

·       Personal and professional development through CPLP (Certified Professional in Learning and Performance™) study groups, professional development seminars and workshops, SIGs, and the General Meetings.

·       The opportunity to participate in a local conference as a presenter or member.

·       Removing obstacles to connect in ways such as the regional Lunch Bunch gatherings and enhanced technology on our website.

·       Working within the community for recognition of Workplace Learning & Performance (WLP) as a profession, building the credibility of all within the profession.

We appreciate your continued involvement in and support of the ASTD Houston Chapter. Your feedback regarding the needs that you and your organization have for WLP in the Houston community is valued and welcomed.

Please contact me at 281-450-6316 or Kathi.Crawford@astdhouston.org; or
Emmie Thomas, Chapter Administrator, at 713-552-1236 ext. 4 and Emmie.Thomas@astdhouston.org , if you have any questions.

On Behalf of the Officers of the Board,

Kathi Crawford

ASTD Houston
2008 President