President's Message    

It's hard to believe that we are already in the 2nd month of 2015! The year is off and running, and so is ATD RMC! After a wonderful and inspiring Board retreat in January, the Board members spent a Saturday brainstorming and working hard to create achievable goals in 2015. Our overarching goal for 2015 is Building a Legacy. Building a legacy is something that is near and dear to my heart, professionally and personally.

Last year, under the tutelage of our current Past President, Becky Magnotta, we saw many positive and exciting changes in our chapter. One of the best changes we saw is the legacy that Becky left behind. We improved all around as a chapter and brought you award winning programs as well as being honored nationally as Chapter of the Month in September. Additionally, we gained and retained chapter members and we are financially healthy!  

All of these accomplishments came from hard working and passionate board members, but there was one person who held us all accountable and whose excitement and determination was contagious, and that was Becky Magnotta. She was motivating, determined, and inspiring, and ultimately took the Rocky Mountain Chapter to new heights.  

As I embark on my term as President, I recognize that I have big shoes to fill and I look forward to carrying the torch. Thank you Becky, and board members, for all your dedication. I think it's also important to say thank you to all of our sponsors and members for continuing to join us for events and supporting the chapter as a whole.

Over the holidays, as I prepared to take the reins in 2015, I was reflecting on this past year and I began thinking, "What do I want to leave behind? What will my legacy be to this amazing chapter?" These questions, and the reflection of the past two years of my service on the Board brought me to the 2015 goal of Building Our Legacy. Everybody has a legacy, so what's yours? How do you want to be remembered? As a hard worker? A team leader? A successful entrepreneur? A risk taker?

As your 2015 President, we will continue to grow our membership and finances, and continue to apply for awards in all facets of our chapter. In fact, we are already submitting an application for the Chapter Excellence Award in the category of "Advancing the profession through the Certified Professional in Learning Performance (CPLP) credential."    

In 2014, our board member, Yvonne Bogard, tirelessly devoted her time and energy to the CPLP program and had success in not only achieving her own CPLP credential, but organizing virtual study groups for both Colorado and Wyoming chapters. Now, Yvonne is actively involved in a pilot program to develop a robust chapter CPLP program.

As I close this President's Message, I think of every Saturday Night Live monologue I have ever watched. Each guest host says at the end of their monologue, "We have a great show for you tonight!" So, why reinvent the wheel? "We have a great year ahead of us!" Stay tuned for educational and exciting programs, continued success, more awards, and most importantly leaving a legacy of passion, success, action, and betterment in 2015!

Very Truly Yours,

Michele Padilla, M.A.

2015 ATD Rocky Mountain Chapter President