President's Letter - February 2008
Greetings BDPA Philadelphia Members & Supporters,
As President of the Philadelphia chapter, I am often asked if our members are engaged. It’s a valid question and the truthful answer is, “Sometimes.”
I, as well as the Executive team, work full-time like you. We realize that you lead busy lives with work and family responsibilities, so we’re thrilled when we offer a program that generates above average program meeting attendance.
At the same time, we know we can offer more useful, relevant and technical programs: and to do that we look to you for your comments, questions, observations and suggestions.
We’ve noticed a steady rise in the number of visitors to our web site and a correlating increase in our membership. Increasing our membership base is a step in the right direction, but a more important step is to have an actively engaged membership.
It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Philadelphia chapter will be hosting the BDPA National Board of Directors meeting in Philadelphia the weekend of May 2, 2008.
Our goal is to showcase our members, sponsors, programs and city; demonstrating why the Philadelphia chapter is the 2007 Chapter of the Year,
I am also thrilled to tell you that our youth technology program begins on Saturday, February 16, 2008. We will train up to 25 high school students in our 2008 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. The SITES program in Philadelphia is divided into three components: Computer Camp, Youth Technology Seminar Series, and High School Computer Competition. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our corporate sponsors Deloitte & Touche for providing the training site and CIGNA for providing the laptop computers the students will be using.
Volunteering offers you wonderful opportunities for professional development and personal growth. If you are looking for ways to enhance your career, consider the following benefits:
- Volunteering offers incredible networking opportunities.
- Volunteering helps you retain and sharpen old skills.
- Volunteering is the perfect place to develop new skills.
- Volunteering offers opportunities to practice skills in a relatively risk free environment.
- Volunteering can help you expand your horizons and explore new career options.
- Volunteering give you the satisfaction of knowing you are doing good and being involved in your community.
- Volunteering gives you visibility.
- Volunteering can be energizing/renewing.
- Volunteering can create leaders.
- Volunteering demonstrates workplace skills/management skills/customer service skills/leadership skills that can be documented in a resume.
We have a number of initiatives planned for this year and ask you to get engaged by volunteering. Even if you have only a few hours a month to spare, you can make a significant difference for BDPA by offering your time and energy one of the areas that need help:
Role |
Responsibilities/Duties |
Time Commitment |
Contact |
Career Day Presenter |
Give a short (about 15 minute) presentation about your job tasks, career goals, and the career path that led you to your current position. Your audience will consist of elementary or middle school students. |
1 hour per commitment |
Adrienne Anderson Ferrell
vpeducation@bdpaphilly.org |
SITES Instructor |
Working knowledge of one or more of the following: Computer Science, Networking Fundamentals, PHP, Database Management, Presentation Skills, Team Building, Microsoft Office |
1 - 8 hours per subject or component |
Hayward West
hscc@bdpaphilly.org |
SITES Assistant |
Assist with fundraising activities, facilitate lunch orders for staff and students, support software installations, and administer quizzes and grading. |
1 hour per commitment |
Hayward West
hscc@bdpaphilly.org |
Program Meeting Greeter |
Greet members and guest during the networking portion of the program meeting. |
1 hour per commitment |
Byron C. Mayes vpprofdev@bdpaphilly.org |
National Board Meeting Photographer |
Take photos during the second quarter BDPA National Board meeting. |
4 - 16 hours |
Monique Berry
president@bdpaphilly.org |
National Board Meeting Hospitality Suite Manager |
Manage food, beverage and activities. |
5 hours |
Monique Berry
president@bdpaphilly.org |
National Board Meeting
Hospitality Suite DJ |
Provide music for the hospitality suite. |
5 hours |
Monique Berry
president@bdpaphilly.org |
Youth Empowerment Retreat Coordinator |
Manage the development and delivery of a full day event for area youth. |
30 hours over the duration of the project. |
Adrienne Anderson-Ferrell
vpeducation@bdpaphilly.org |
Career Development Workshop Series Coordinator |
Manage the development and delivery of 4 Saturday workshops focused on career development. |
30 hours over the duration of the project. |
Byron C. Mayes
vpprofdev@bdpaphilly.org |
Public Relations Director |
Issue press releases to both the print and Internet divisions of major and local news outlets |
4 hours per month |
Mark Abrams
vpcomm@bdpaphilly.org |
We look to exceed your expectations so please reach out and tell us what they are. Stay tuned, and be sure to check the chapter website often.
We are always an email away at info@bdpaphilly.org.
Thanks for all your support as members.
Monique F. Berry
President
BDPA Philadelphia
Vision: Partnering for Continued Growth!
president@bdpaphilly.org
Past Letter from the President
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