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When I relocated to the Capital Region, the first organization I wanted to join was the local chapter of ASTD. It was, and still is, my experience that the local members of the training community are dedicated professionals who care about training and the development of people in the work place.
I was not disappointed. My involvement with our chapter has been positive and the people I’ve met have been helpful to me and have served as resources professionally and as a network of support and friendship.
On this 40th anniversary, I want to wish everyone the best and continued success.
FRANK R. SANTORA
NYS Department of Civil Service
I joined ASTD in the late 1960’s to meet people in the training profession, to learn training skills and to learn leadership skills. When I first joined, many of the members were NYS or GE employees. As time went, on we started getting a number of private consultants.
I have wonderful memories of the Leadership Conference I attended in Madison, Wisconsin as Vice-President of HM (I went because our President was unable to attend). The program was inspiring and I met a lot of great people from all over the US. I have fond memories of regional conferences, which I attended as president and a national conference in San Francisco (which I attended at my own expense) in the early 70’s. That was a fabulous national conference.
Benefits received: I had the opportunity to develop and practice leadership skills, which helped me in my career. I learned many good training techniques from other members. I met many people who were generous in sharing their expertise, ideas, resources and good fellowship. It is a great group of people - very professional and who know how to have fun.
MARY HELEN ROSENSTEIN
Retired, Director of Training
NYS Department of Taxation & Finance
I was very honored to have received the first Outstanding Independent Entrepreneur Trainer of the Year award in May 1999. It was a real privilege to have been recognized for my efforts and accomplishments by such a distinguished organization as the American Society for Training and Development. The various meetings, forums and conferences sponsored by the Hudson-Mohawk Chapter provided me with the tools and resources to promote innovative-marketing strategies and to develop and maintain a stable client base. Meetings were fun and chock full of innovative ideas. Top-notch speakers provided the specific “how tos” for immediate implementation of new methods and techniques. The networking opportunities were, without a doubt, invaluable and directly contributed to the success of my language consulting practice.
I am indebted to the Hudson-Mohawk Chapter of ASTD for empowering me to reach my full potential and to continue to reach for new challenges. Congratulations to the officers and members on this 40th anniversary celebration.
BARBARA DWORKIN
President, EnglishPerfect
I attended my first local ASTD dinner meeting in September of 1990. As each attendee introduced himself or herself, I grew increasingly uncomfortable. What would I say, having been laid off from a failing private sector corporation? I was beginning to pick up a few consulting opportunities but was really in search of a salaried position. What finally came out of my mouth that evening was: “Hi. I'm Harvey Huth. I do some training consulting but it’s really my euphemism for a laid-off trainer looking for work.” That evening, I connected with another trainer at my table - Ira Baumgarten - and started a new position a month later with CSEA's Labor Education Action Program as their Deputy Director.
Two years ago, that organization merged with two other state-funded training organizations to become the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training where I now manage labor-management services. HMASTD benefited as well from our association as I became increasingly involved with the chapter and served for several years during the 90’s on the executive board and later as the chapter treasurer.
Chapter meetings were always a great source of new ideas, insights, and solutions to problems that - although new to me - were not for other colleagues. That was especially apparent as I worked with a team of trainers from CSEA’s Labor Education Action Program and the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations - most of who were chapter members - managing a basic literacy skills program called Project Reach. I was honored in Dallas that year to accept on behalf of that team the first annual ASTD State and Local Government Trainers Herrmann Award for creativity in government training.
A lot of that creativity came from our collective growth at Hudson-Mohawk chapter meetings and programs.
HARVEY HUTH
NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training
ASTD Hudson-Mohawk Chapter gave me strength, confidence, knowledge and friendships. As I look back on some 20 years in the training field, one thought is clear. I would not have made it, first as an independent trainer, and second as a workforce training program manager at SUNY Empire State College without the professional and personal growth opportunities available to me through the Hudson-Mohawk Chapter.
Like many back in those days (circa 1980), I stumbled into the HRD field, not knowing a thing about starting, more or less, running a successful training firm. I don’t recall how, but I found ASTD and soon realized I had a local resource of people who cared about helping me succeed. Running your own business is a lonely business at best. Making connections, building a network of support, learning, and establishing new friendships was the “menu” at every monthly meeting. My mentor at the time was Edie Greene (now West), one of the Chapter’s early presidents and consummate leaders. She and countless others surrounded me with warmth and caring as I created my little niche in the Capital District area HRD field.
Soon I found myself wanting to give back and being recruited into the chapter officer ranks. I saw the chapter grow from about 12 attending members to a membership of almost 250. I was finding myself helping others learn about the field. I was creating the chapter mentoring program, serving in most officer and committee positions, starting the “Trainers’ School”. I learned quickly that by giving I was learning even more! And then, upon my retirement, I was humbly honored with the creation of the “Douglas Long Chapter Leadership Award”.
Now, as a semi-retired and aging (gracefully I hope) trainer/consultant, you ask me to look back and ask myself what ASTD Hudson-Mohawk meant to me. Well, that’s easy. It meant EVERYTHING. I always told those who sought my advice, “They would find success, not by competing with others, but by cooperating with and helping others”. Hudson-Mohawk afforded me an opportunity to help others and in so doing be successful in my own endeavors.
On the occasion of the Chapter’s 40th. Anniversary, from my retirement home in Lake Lure, NC, I send my best to every member of the Chapter and wish each of you success and happiness as you help others through education and training. And my advice. Get Involved.
DOUG LONG
Retired, SUNY Empire State College
I was there during the early days of people like Doug Long...Edie Greene West...Howard Cross...and people like that.
We ran one of the best ASTD chapters...later other NY chapters formed and we assisted them in growth.
ASTD allowed me a place to learn from the best. We brought in excellent trainers like Bob Pike...Creative Training Techniques...and people of that caliber.
Doug Long and I started Trainers’ School. I came to Doug with an idea from one of my other groups...the National Speakers Association. In New England every year, we would run Speakers School. I asked Doug if we could set up a Trainers’ School at ASTD. We put together some key people for a planning meeting...and we developed the first ASTD Trainers’ School. I’m glad to see it is still going today.
I am too busy now to stay involved with ASTD. I am on the road constantly presenting over 200 seminars, workshops and training sessions across the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
I owe a lot to Hudson-Mohawk ASTD and my fellow members. It gave me a great start in the training profession.
Best of Luck to Hudson-Mohawk ASTD.
JIM PUGLIESE, ABR, CRB, GRI, CBR, CSP, ITI
Jim Pugliese Seminars
I have many positive and memorable thoughts about my years working with the Hudson-Mohawk ASTD Chapter. When I opened my consulting business I went to a meeting and saw this very jovial man with white hair talking to people. They seemed so engrossed in what he was saying that I decided to stand on the outside to listen to him. As soon as he saw me he invited me into the small group and they continued talking. I was so impressed with him and when I noticed that he had the same last name as my former husband I teased him and said, “Who knows, we could be relatives.” Dr. Doug Long, who sometimes looks like he could use some of my natural African American tan laughed heartily - and we have been friends and colleagues for the past 25 years.
Doug, being the effervescent and knowledgeable man that he is, did not waste time including me into the fold of the group. I have given workshops alone and with him in the Training School. I have had contracts through which I hired him and he did the same for me. At one meeting of ASTD, while introducing myself, I mentioned that I was looking for an administrative assistant. Cathy Ertelt, who visited the group for the first time, said she was looking for a job and said she wanted to speak to me. That was the beginning of another positive working relationship. Cathy worked with me for over six years until she decided to spend time at the Ashram. Peggy, Doug's lovely wife, and I enjoyed a positive special relationship. I was able to tell her about several great sales at Stein Mart before they closed, which she thanks me for several times. We both enjoy getting good buys!
I made many lasting friends. But my favorite person Doug Long, who is now retired, and we still keep in touch.
I think the organization grew through Doug’s influence and hard work and many of us grew spiritually, intellectually and professionally because of many of the people in the group.
ANNETTE De LaVALLADE
I could list so many ways I’ve benefited from my experience with ASTD; suffice it to say that since I joined ASTD, everything I have accomplished professionally has been linked one way or another to a contact I had through my association with ASTD! Congratulations and best wishes to all those associated with the Hudson-Mohawk Chapter. I’d love to visit with you all again.
Cheers!
EDIE WEST
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