ASCD affiliates view their programs as opportunities to develop educators' capacity for learning, teaching, and leading and to fulfill their mission and goals. Programs, products, and services help affiliate members shape policy, improve classroom practice, and affect student achievement. Read more in the Affiliate Developmental Continuum ( 51KB).

What Do You Know About Your Affiliate's Programs, Products, and Services?

Planning Conferences

Offering Professional Development Institutes

ASCD Programs, Products, and Services Resources

 What Do You Know About Your Affiliate's Programs, Products, and Services?

• What professional development opportunities does your affiliate currently offer?
• When and how often are they offered?
• Do you have an annual conference?
• Is it convenient for all of your affiliate's members to travel to your annual conference?
• What is the attendance at your affiliate events?
• Is affiliate membership included in the nonmember event registration fee?
• Does your affiliate publish a journal or newsletter? How often is it published?
• How does one contribute to the publication?

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 Planning Conferences

Depending on the affiliate, conferences range from less than a hundred registrants to several thousand. All conferences, regardless of size, take much effort and planning. Without the effort and cooperation of the leadership, the conference will not attract participants. 

Almost every affiliate has an annual conference. For some, it is the only event of the year; for others, it is just one of many conferences or professional development opportunities provided for members and nonmembers. It is important to have at least one meeting a year where members, new members, and potential members can come together to learn new ideas and to network. An annual conference is usually one of the greatest sources of income for an affiliate.

Of all affiliate documents and plans, those dealing with conferences and professional development are probably the most comprehensive. Holding a conference is a large undertaking and requires participation of a large group of committed planners. In most cases, conferences are run by a committee of officers and members. In many cases, the plans for a conference (e.g., location, topic, speaker, presenters) are developed at least a year prior to the conference itself.

In many cases the conference planning committee has leaders to handle specific tasks and function, such as overall conference chair, location and venue chair (includes developing prices for food and lodging), program chair, vendor and sponsor chair. Registration may be handled by a special registrar for the event or by the person responsible for the master affiliate membership list. Make sure your affiliate has a detailed plan of what is required, who will be responsible, and how each of task will be completed.

The conference theme should focus on current issues and professional needs of educators in the affiliate. While the annual conference is mainly for members, many others are attracted to the promise of fulfilling a particular need in their districts or schools. In some cases, affiliates will align themes and strands to the upcoming ASCD Annual Conference to reinforce and promote both events. Member surveys and requests for continual feedback are helpful in identifying focus and developing future themes.

Affiliates have developed professional development delivery methods that have been found to work for their geographic areas. Sharing conference ideas and conference planning with other affiliates helps all to grow in their abilities to develop a conference based on member needs and interests.

If your affiliate represents a large geographic area, members from outlying areas may prefer to attend a conference in a neighboring state or province. In such cases, consider working with the neighboring affiliates to plan a regional conference that will fill needs of members in both geographic areas and focus on topics that enhance the value for all participants. One notable example is the Northeast ASCD Affiliate Conference. For 10 years, ASCD affiliates in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ontario, Rhode Island, and Vermont work together to develop and present an annual conference in addition to each organization's individual offerings.

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 Offering Professional Development Institutes

Conferences present a variety of information and provide an opportunity for members and other educators to hear a more diverse collection of ideas and to network among each other, but smaller professional development institutes (PDIs) offer additional ways members can learn about specific topics, usually with shorter travel distances.

A PDI is typically a day-long event on a single topic with a single presenter where attendees can attend locally. A larger affiliate can present the same PDI content in multiple locations to reach the largest number of members and educators.

Developing a PDI is different from planning a conference. Because of its smaller size and scope, a large conference committee is not required. The leadership can work together to determine the need and the presenter, but the details are often handled by the executive director, who sets up the meeting venue, develops the announcement and forms, and processes registrations. A hotel with an appropriately sized meeting space is the most common venue, but you might also find a university or school that is willing to offer its facilities at a reduced rate or at no cost. Food service can be ordered from a local caterer for less than that charged by a local hotel.

Presenters are the largest cost of a PDI. ASCD can be a valuable resource for finding a presenter at a reasonable cost. The ASCD Author's Forum  offers affiliates speakers who have agreed to waive honoraria and fees.

One of the advantages of sharing knowledge and experiences among affiliates is discovering speakers that other affiliates have used. A personal testimony can provide information on the details of the presentation and how the person was received. You can determine whether the speaker in question will address the issues and concerns of your PDI. 

The perception of an organization's value is guided by what it can do for its members. If your affiliate has an active program of professional development offerings that address the concerns of members and educators, you will be rewarded with a greater membership base and income to carry out your mission.

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