AUSTIN CHAPTER: Facilitating Asynchronous Learning via AI 

The Austin Chapter partnered with in-kind sponsor Howspace, a digital facilitation and artificial intelligence (AI) platform, to support community of practice (CoP) programs and foster engagement both during and after CoP events. The Howspace platform allows the chapter to turn CoP events into interactive sessions, including polls, visualizations, and real-time AI insights based on participant interactions. It also enables the board to upload event recordings so individuals who couldn’t attend the session can still view the recording, submit their answers to included activities, participate in discussion posts, and interact with other chapter members. As a result, the chapter has increased engagement with CoP programs and extended learning opportunities beyond the live sessions. The board has also used the platform to support its strategic planning efforts, the chapter’s annual summit, and more. 

HAWAII CHAPTER: Digitizing Records and Migrating to a Free Bookkeeping System 

After years of paper records and a QuickBooks subscription, the Hawaii Chapter board undertook a financial overhaul during which it digitized chapter records and transitioned from QuickBooks to Wave, a free bookkeeping software. Migrating to a cloud-based system simplified the handoff between board members, while making financial records more accessible and increasing overall transparency within the board. Additionally, moving from a paid bookkeeping program to a free alternative resulted in annual cost savings for the chapter. 

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER: Improved Chapter Workflow via Free Project Management Tool 

To better maintain operational continuity amidst volunteer turnover, the Central Massachusetts Chapter implemented project management templates within the free project management tool, Asana, aimed at streamlining workflows and standardizing key processes. By developing templates for various workstreams such as communications, financial audits, and programming, the chapter improved operational efficiency and maintained consistency despite transitions in board membership. This initiative facilitated clearer documentation of standard operating procedures, enhanced collaboration among team members, and ultimately led to more organized and effective chapter operations. 

GREATER BIRMINGHAM CHAPTER: Making the Business Case for Simple Investments 

In response to a surplus reserve fund, the Greater Birmingham Chapter board decided to develop an investment strategy, aiming to generate passive income while minimizing risk. They evaluated a wide range of investment options, including mutual funds, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit, to determine which would be the best fit for the chapter. After researching each option and drafting competing proposals, the board chose to invest a significant amount of chapter funds into certificates of deposit. Throughout the process, the chapter demonstrated prudent stewardship of chapter funds and the importance of proactive financial planning, allowing them to increase their interest earnings and promote the chapter’s financial sustainability. 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER: Book Exchange 

The Rocky Mountain Chapter created a member-only benefit on its website for a talent development book swap. Books about the industry can sometimes be expensive, and the chapter had a few members retiring who were looking to give away their books. To simplify the process, the chapter created a member-only webpage and forum through which they can request books or post the books they would like to give away. The members work with each other directly to determine pick up/drop off of books. When the chapter returns to in-person meetings, the goal is to establish a library for the chapter. This strategy created an added bonus for members and provided and opportunity increase learning at little to no cost 

LAKE SUPERIOR CHAPTER: Making the Most of Your Member Appreciation Night 

To celebrate their membership, the Lake Superior Chapter hosted a member appreciation night focused on professional and personal empowerment. The program featured a keynote presentation, professional headshots for attendees, networking opportunities, door prizes, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. The event, free for members plus one guest each, aimed to combine networking, learning, and professional development opportunities. The chapter received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, engaged a significant portion of their existing membership, and recruited new members—growing their membership by approximately 10 percent. 

SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN CHAPTER: Developing an RFP Process to Select a Chapter Administrator  

The Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter conducted a comprehensive review of its administrator vendor services to align with the chapter’s evolving needs while maximizing value and efficiency. This process included drafting service priorities, creating a Request for Proposal (RFP), conducting interviews and reference checks, evaluating potential vendors via an evaluation matrix, and ultimately selecting a vendor. As a result, the chapter improved administrative efficiency and fiscal compliance, while freeing up time for board members to focus on high-value tasks aligned with the chapter mission.  

SOUTH CAROLINA CHAPTER: Committing to DEIAB in Chapter Bylaws 

The South Carolina Chapter revised chapter bylaws to recognize the chapter’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) and modernize and improve overall chapter governance. The board established a Bylaws Committee, made up of board members, past presidents, and chapter members from diverse backgrounds, to review the chapter’s existing bylaws. In addition to addressing outdated clauses, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies, the committee drafted a DEIAB statement to formally recognize the chapter’s commitment to inclusivity and equity throughout chapter operations. This effort not only brought the bylaws up to industry standards and created a process for future bylaw reviews, but also set the foundation for a more inclusive and well-governed chapter. 

CENTRAL IOWA CHAPTER: Engaging With Local Nonprofits  

The Central Iowa Chapter launched a focus group initiative aimed at understanding the unique talent development needs of area nonprofits. Through comprehensive discussions with nonprofit leaders, the chapter gathered valuable insights to inform future strategies for supporting these organizations’ growth. As a result of this effort, the chapter founded a Nonprofit Special Interest Group (SIG) to provide free leadership and personal development training to individuals who work for local nonprofits. The initiative also strengthened strategic partnerships and increased the chapter’s visibility by demonstrating its commitment to fostering talent development within the local community.  

PUGET SOUND CHAPTER: Ramped and Ready! Preparing Your Volunteers for Success 

The Puget Sound Chapter developed and implemented a comprehensive onboarding program for chapter volunteers using the free resource, Good Classroom. This initiative standardized the onboarding process and automated several tasks, addressing previous inefficiencies and reducing the administrative burden on the chapter. As a result, volunteer engagement and satisfaction increased, and the onboarding experience became more streamlined and effective, ensuring volunteers were better prepared and integrated into their roles. 

FORT WORTH/MID-CITIES CHAPTER: Delivering a Learning Series as a Member Engagement, Retention, & Recruitment Tool  

The Fort Worth/Mid-Cities Chapter developed a 5-part learning series to support teachers and military members transitioning to civilian careers, aimed at both existing and prospective chapter members. The series offered discounted session rates for non-members, providing them with affordable access to career resources and the option to transition to full membership at the job-seeker rate. This initiative led to an increase in membership, an uptick in social media engagement, and a significant boost in sponsorships. Overall, the series strengthened the chapter's community presence, attracted new volunteers, and fostered relationships with potential sponsors, while expanding support for career transitions within the L&D field.