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On Monday, August 6, 2001 about 15
members of PRODN and the Steering Committee met with the Board of
the OD Network. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange information
regarding specific issues each organization faces, brainstorm areas
of potential collaboration and network at a personal level. The gathering
lasted about 2.5 hours and proved enlightening and enjoyable for all
involved.
A summary of the information exchanged
is included below.
Major issues & challenges currently
facing PRODN include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Declining membership
- Limited diversity in membership
and at events
- Increasing numbers of external consultants
as membership core
- Maintaining highest quality of monthly
meetings and learning events possible (being able to attract and
afford OD leaders for learning events i.e. the Barry Oshrys of OD)
- Bullet two, and tapping into the
skills and abilities of our own constituents
- Defining learning themes that focus
on relevant/cutting-edge areas
- Regular location to host monthly
meetings (at no cost)
- Generating high commitment and involvement
of membership
- Solid continuity from one year to
the next (we tend to be short-term in planning and acting)
- Lack of support for environmental
focus
- Fostering/developing the next generation
of OD professionals
- Professional insurance
Potential areas of assistance from,
or synergy with, the National ODN include, but are not limited to,
the following:
- "Chapter-ship" so we could
be a 501(c)(3) (possible tax savings)
- National acting as Regional’s office
(for membership records, etc.)
- Joint membership at some discount
- Access to software developed for
national to manage Regional web site(s)
- National to manage Regional web
site(s) (e.g., member directory)
- Assist in attracting big name resources
for Regional learning events
- Assist in setting themes/directions
for learning
- National to coordinate Regional
networks as one of their missions
- National to coordinate with other
professional groups like ASTD, SHRM, AQP
- Discounts for members at national
conferences
- Development of standards for professional
participation, e.g., what does it mean to be an OD Professional?
(Certification, recommended programs of study, review of programs
of study, etc.)
After PRODN presented the above, the
Board articulated some of the issues they are facing and some of the
questions they are asking as an organization. They include:
- Declining membership
- How well is ODN serving the OD Professional?
- What are we providing or not providing?
- Financial well being
- How can ODN serve diverse sectors?
(i.e. internal vs. external)
- Diversity
- "Professionalization"
Some of the areas of opportunity that
the Board is looking at include:
- Alliances/joint ventures
- More radical vision of who we are
(i.e. leading the field of OD)
- How ODN can better serve regionals.
- Additional services ODN can provide
members such as professional insurance, etc.
- Define/clarify educational standards
and continuing education for practitioners
While this summary probably doesn’t
fairly convey the level of exchange and learning that occurred, one
point is very clear. ODN is desperately seeking a more mutually beneficial
relationship with all regionals and is making this a priority in the
coming year.
Stay tuned for more!
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