Special Divisions - Your community
In many cases Special Divisions are the easiest, most cost-effective, and most efficient way of networking, connecting with the Chapter, and gaining valuable knowledge and skills. We have groups available geographically covering much of Los Angeles County as well as groups focused on specific learning and development subjects.
Participation is easy! For more information on specific groups see the information below.
Topical Divisions
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Regional Divisions
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Topical Divisions
E-Learning Special Division
Meeting 3rd Wednesday of every month (10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Pacific) online.
If you're interested in E-Learning and training technology, then this group is for you. If you're techno phobic, so much the better: Come hear what the buzz is all about! Email elearning@astdla.org if you have questions.
External Consultants /Trainers Special Division
Meeting 2nd Friday of every month (2 p.m. - 4 p.m.) in Torrance
We’re external trainers, consultants, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, internal trainers who plan to be external trainers some day, and people who just enjoy the interactions of a small group. We’re interested in getting visibility, finding clients, keeping multiple clients happy and being the most valuable and effective trainers we can be. Our meetings are open to all ASTD-LA members (and any interested guests who bring cookies). We meet in a beautiful conference room close to the 405 in Torrance.
We have adopted a new salon-style format. Each meeting we will announce a topic ahead of time through the mailing list and we will discuss it during the meeting. We are a small but lively group. We are always glad to share our ideas and experience and eager to hear your viewpoint. Please join us.
Please join us the second Friday of every month, 2PM to 4PM, at the Western Federal Credit Union, 1899 Western Way Torrance, CA 90501. To be on our mailing list, get additional information, or RSVP for a meeting please email Carol Jacoby, cjacoby@jacobyconsulting.com.
USC Campus Special Division
Meeting quarterly on the USC Campus.
This group is dedicated to sharing the training and development profession with the USC campus community. ASTD-LA members, prospective members, guests, USC staff, faculty, alumni and graduate students are all welcome to attend meetings. To find out more, email USC@astdla.org
Virtually Learning Special Division
Meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month (7:30 - 9:00 p.m.) in the virtual world known as Second Life®
If you are a forward-thinking professional, ready to experience a bleeding-edge, cost-effective, eco-friendly, and engaging learning/training platform, check out 3D virtual worlds. This technology is literally changing the paradigm for learning in corporate, academic, government, not-for-profit, and other enterprises. (Don't leave the comfort of your computer -- send your Second Life® Avatar instead!!!)
If you DO NOT already have an SL® Avatar, plan to spend an hour to prepare for your first meeting. In that hour you'll create an Avatar, download some free software, and take part in a 3D tutorial to learn six basic skills of "virtually living." If you need assistance, just ask. To arrange for your NAO (New Avatar Orientation) session, just email your request to Debbie Newman at DNewman@WorkingRelationships.BIZ.
Grad Student Special Division
If you are a graduate student who is interested in applying what you've learned in class to real life, or perhaps a working professional or undergraduate considering pursuing graduate education, then come join our Graduate Student Special Division! Our division focuses on building the bridge from student life to the professional world, addressing the specific needs of our graduate students. We offer opportunities for networking with professionals and students from various SoCal universities, and a platform to build on your experience and expand your skills and knowledge.
Non-Profit Professionals Special Division
Typically meeting 4th Wednesday of every month (6:45 – 8:30 p.m.) in West LA...The Non-Profit Special Division is taking a break!
After 16 months of interesting meetings with engaging discussions on topics relevant to non-profit professional, we are taking time to refresh our plans for future sessions. Please watch for announcements. If you have suggestions or inquiries, please contact Leslie Robin at leslie@bambooassociates or 310-913-0310.
Non-Profit Professionals are facing many challenges training volunteers and staff in this current environment. Our goal is to provide a forum for nonprofit professionals who work for a nonprofit organization, serve as external consultant or work for "capacity building” organizations to learn, share concerns and challenges and network in a "non solicitation” environment. Join us, and please invite colleagues to join us, develop a network, build this new division and create a non-profit presence within ASTD-LA.
Organizational Development Special Division
Meeting 4th Thursday of every month (6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.) in West L.A. and occasionally in Alhambra, just east of downtown LA.
Be strategic. Get the bigger picture beyond training! The OD group features speakers who address topics and lead discussions for both internal and external OD professionals and those interested in the OD field. Our speakers lead lively discussions. Bring your questions and professional wisdom and join us!
Technical Training Special Division
Meeting 4th Friday of every month (12 p.m. - 1 p.m.) online
The Technical Training special division is the newest edition to the lineup. If you are involved or interested in technology training, vocational training, or any type of technical training, then this is the place for you. Let’s learn from each other and take our design and delivery to the next level by sharing best practices and helping one another in a lab format with our projects, whether they be hypothetical, professional, or academic.
Please join us the fourth Friday of every month, 12PM to 1PM, online. You can easily register for our online meetings from the main Calendar. To get additional information, or if you are interested in being a co-chair please email Christina Bayma, christina.bayma@jacobs.com or call (562) 787-8607.
Facilitation Special Division
Facilitation is a core skill for any training and development, organizational development, or consulting professional. Here is your opportunity to collaboratively develop a special division that will offer a safe, nurturing environment to practice, hone, and keep this skill sharp, instead of waiting until the stakes are high with a client.
To get additional information, please contact Sierra Smith (312) 399-6636,
ssmith12@antioch.edu.
Regional Divisions
Conejo Valley Special Division
Meeting on the 1st Friday morning of every other month from 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. in Agoura Hills at Farmers Insurance University.
The Conejo Valley Special Division offers meetings on diverse topics with networking opportunities for both internal and external training professionals. Please contact Conejo@astdla.org to be added to our Special Division mailing list and notified of scheduled meeting dates and topics.
Note: For those who may be unfamiliar with "Conejo Valley", it is located at the eastern boundary of Ventura County and the western boundary of Los Angeles County, approximately 35 miles from downtown Los Angeles, and includes the communities of Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Lake Sherwood and Newbury Park.
Downtown Special Divsion
Meeting 1st Wednesday of every even month (8 a.m. - 10 a.m.) in Downtown Los Angeles @ LADWP
The Mission of the Downtown Special Division is to provide a forum of learning, discussion, and networking for external and internal training professionals. A wide range of topics are presented at an early morning meeting for downtown professionals who might otherwise have trouble attending evening meetings.
San Fernando Valley Special Division
Meeting every other month on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.) in Woodland Hills
We host speakers on a wide variety of topics relating to training and development, customized to the interests of our members. All are welcome and we are a "sales free" zone. Join us for engaging presentations and lively networking.
San Gabriel Valley Special Division
Are you a learning professional in San Gabriel Valley who would like to meet with others and rekindle a SGV Special Division? Meetup Friday, March22, 2013 at Panera Bread, 3521 E Foothill Blvd Pasadena, 91107 at 8:00 AM.
Come and join the discussion. Be part of making it happen!
Future Topics List: Classroom Training, Training Systems, Sources for Info, What's in your Bookmarks?, Technology & Reverse Instruction...
Santa Clarita Special Division
Meeting every month on the 4th Friday (7:30am – 9 am) in Santa Clarita
This is a great place to both learn from others and share your expertise undefined as a discussion participant, or even as a discussion leader. Each month someone will identify a theory, model, method, article or film in an area of their expertise and assign it to the other division members. Participants then come to the meeting prepared to discuss the topic.
The goal is to create a collaborative network fostering learning and professional growth.
South Bay Special Division "Training Professional's Breakfast Meeting"
Meeting the 1st Friday of every month (7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.) in Torrance
This "Training Professional's Breakfast" maintains a clear emphasis on issues important to training and development professionals across a variety of industries, including external consultants. The meetings are friendly, interactive, and focused on professional development in the field of performance improvement. These meetings always end by 9:00am – so the rest of your day is still open. Networking among internals and externals is encouraged and welcomed, though this is a "sales-free" zone.
Visit us and you'll also see why we enjoy our meeting space, generously provided by the Toyota Auto Museum in Torrance.
In 2013 there will be an engaging new dimension to our sessions. We will use the GEMS RoundTable methodology to understand and discuss cutting edge ideas and articles in our field. This text-study RoundTable format will be used:
- March 1st
- May 3rd
- September 6th
- November 1st
Check our calendar for more details.
Westside Breakfast
Meeting the 2nd Friday of every month (7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.) in West Los Angeles The Mission of the Westside Breakfast Special Division is to provide a forum for learning, discussion, and networking for training professionals. All are welcome! Our only ground rule is to provide a "sales free" zone. We meet on the 2nd Friday of every month from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. in West Los Angeles. A wide range of topics are presented each month. We hope you will join us. Contact Rachel Karu at rachel@raedevelopment.com or call (310) 441-1104 for questions or to RSVP to one of our meetings.
