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Posted By Monique F. Berry,
Monday, March 05, 2012
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Membership offers many opportunities for you to get involved in BDPA activities and raise your profile within the global technology community. Don't just join, join in!
Volunteering
Volunteering can give you great satisfaction and enjoyment while enhancing your professional and personal development, as well as providing benefit to others.
You can get involved by:
- Helping to organise meetings and events for your Local Chapter;
- Nominate yourself for a seat on one of the committees, including the Board of Directors;
- Submitting research papers to the BDPA journals;
- Helping to author new publications;
- Speaking at a Chapter meeting;
- Becoming a BDPA mentor;
- Working on the conference team;
- Promoting BDPA activities in schools, colleges, universities and in places of employment.
Local Chapters
With over 50 Local Chapters, there is a community of BDPA members near you which provide a host of professional networking opportunities. The level of involvement is up to you. Simply go along to an event or get more involved by joining a committee and helping put together the program of events. You may even be interested in giving a talk - no matter the amount of time you can commit, your Local Chapter would be delighted to hear from you.
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Posted By Monique F. Berry,
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
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Who we are and how we're perceived is somewhat dependent on the folks we surround ourselves with. If you are always the star of the show or always the smartest in the room, you are not learning anything. You are not being challenged in any way. In order to grow professionally you must be willing to be the student to the master. That can mean surrounding yourself with people smarter than you, more charismatic than you, funnier, more technologically advanced than you, more adept at social media than you…you get the idea. Find your area for growth and follow/connect with people who are just better at it than you are. There's nothing to be gained by being the smartest person in your little room.
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Posted By Monique F. Berry,
Sunday, February 19, 2012
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Your volunteer BDPA hours COUNT and so we want to count your hours...we will use this information to report to federal, state and local governments and for grants and other funding sources. Locally, by tracking the volunteer hours generated by BDPA volunteers, we demonstrate where the community needs are by your time and the dollar equivalent of your volunteer service. Collectively, these hours demonstrate what an asset BDPA volunteers are to their community. We understand that reporting your volunteer hours may be a nuisance, but it is necessary and tells a meaningful story about all of you.
Please use this URL link http://bit.ly/yFArNm to submit information and give the best estimate of the number of BDPA volunteer service hours for 2011 (last year).
Thank you!
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Posted By Monique F. Berry,
Sunday, January 29, 2012
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Dear Members,
This is a very exciting time to be a member of NBDPA. As we continue to increase the value proposition for you, we are focused on accomplishing three main goals in the coming year:
- Helping YOU to set yourself up for success
- Helping YOU to land (and/or keep) a new job
- Helping YOU to feel secure and well-connected as a professional at the top of your game
On February 18th, we kick off Career Triage© a live webinar series. If your career is in the emergency room, you need Career Triage©. This is a fast-paced/action provoking 21st Century look at how to revive a stalled career presented by career coach, Janice Coleman, Pres/CEO Janice Coleman Corporation (formerly with Right Management, the world leader in career transition services)
Career Triage© includes:
- Resume Rescue©- tips on strengthening your resume to market yourself more effectively
- Interview Infusion©- strategies on effective interviewing skills
- Networking Nutrition©- techniques on developing and leveraging relationships for job seekers
Next month we kick off our Winter Regional Leadership Conference with an executive reception for local small businesses, secondary and post secondary educators and administrators, executives, officials and corporate sponsors. We want to introduce NBDPA and the National Technology Conference to the local community BEFORE we arrive in Baltimore in August. Our goal is to garner the support, sponsorship, and participation of the local community in an effort to have a successful conference with local participation. The weekend will continue with the National Board of Directors Meeting and Leadership Training Workshops. All chapter officers and members are encouraged to attend. Registration information will be posted on the national calendar soon.
The Hartford, Hampton Roads, Houston and Greater Birmingham chapters are prepped and positioned to be back on line soon. Vice President of Membership Management, Chad White and the Regional directors are working diligently with the local leadership to assist as needed.
This is Black History month and chapters across the country will conduct various Black Family Technology Awareness Week activities from Sunday, February 12 through Sunday, February 19. Check your chapter calendar for local events near you. I will host a BFTAW activity with the Philadelphia Chapter at the Black Engineer of the Year Award Conference on Saturday, February 19th at the Philadelphia Marriott.
I am looking forward to NBDPA reaching greater heights in advancing African Americans in the information technology industry. I know that each and every one of you will do your share by volunteering at the chapter or national levels, donating to the scholarship fund and encouraging your peers to join this great organization.
Please read my blog to learn more about NBDPA.
Warm wishes, Monique F. Berry National President
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Posted By Monique Berry,
Sunday, January 08, 2012
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Dear Chapter Presidents,
It is my pleasure to serve as President of National BDPA. I look forward to working with all Chapter presidents to execute our strategy and ensure that NBPDA delivers value to our stakeholders.
NBDPA could not exist without the partnership and collaboration of its Chapter presidents. Your role is critical and you are the dedicated volunteers who spend countless hours leading our members, performing many tasks and wearing multiple hats.
With that in mind, it is important to maintain focus and truly represent the Chapter to the best of your abilities. In no way should you have to participate in every aspect of operations, nor work endless hours while the general membership reaps the rewards of your hard work and efforts. On the contrary, you must learn that only a with a team effort can the Chapter become successful and live up to the vision of developing IT professionals "from the classroom to the boardroom”.
As the president, you assume many responsibilities that extend beyond the basic operations of a Chapter. The members, corporate sponsors, and the national board of directors all look to you for strength and stability within the Chapter. It is very important for you to utilize your role as a lead communicator for these groups and use them as resources for information and guidance. People will look to you as the premier example of what BDPA represents in your city. Your actions will have a direct effect on the image of your Chapter.
Aside from the many expectations and responsibilities of the Chapter president, your position can be one of the most rewarding. You are now in a position to directly impact the Chapter's performance and future. You can be a catalyst for positive change, as well as provide direction so that your Chapter can benefit and prosper with the lasting legacy you leave behind.
As Chapter president, what are you expected to do?
- support, uphold and adhere to chapter and national by-laws and guidelines
- oversee chapter operations and general membership
- promote and sustain positive relationships with the local community
- represent the chapter on a regular basis with members, sponsors and community
- conduct a successful transition with your successor
While serving as Chapter president, you will work with many diverse groups within and outside of your Chapter. Your role involves maintaining constant communication with members of BDPA and individuals who assist the Chapter on a regular basis. Maintaining these crucial relationships is the foundation for developing a successful Chapter and the ideal BDPA experience.
Hopefully, you will take this opportunity to grow personally and professionally by:
- making an impact and assisting in the development of your Chapter and the IT profession
- being recognized as a leader in the field of information technology and your community
- counting the hours spent as a volunteer leader toward re-certification hours for PMI
- being part of an organization that gives back to the community
- assisting other members with their professional development
- developing your organizational and networking skills
- developing personal relationships with local corporate leaders
Over the next few weeks, I will be calling each of you. I will also connect with each of you on the National BDPA website. I hope you will visit the National BDPA website often. Use the Contact Us feature to let us know if you have ideas or suggestions that will make the BDPA services even more valuable to you.
Thank you for all that you do on behalf of NBDPA!
Monique F. Berry
President, National BDPA
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Posted By Monique Berry,
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
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When was the last time you wrote a letter to tell a friend what was happening in your life? If you're like me, it's been a while. I rely on e-mails, wall postings and tweets to communicate with members, colleagues, family and friends.
To say the least, the ways in which we communicate have changed how we do business, how we stay in touch and, in some ways, how we live. Social networking (or social media) is driving this revolution. Social networking has grabbed attention and imagination worldwide. The popularity of platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter has exploded:
1. Facebook reports 800 million active users. Fifty percent of those users log on to the site each day, and more than 40 million users update their status at least once per day. Over 200 million photos are uploaded each day.
2. LinkedIn counts more than 100 million members
3. Twitter has 360 million registered users,
4. Fully 65% of adult internet users now say they use a social networking site like MySpace, Facebook or LinkedIn, up from 61% one year ago. This marks the first time in Pew Internet surveys that 50% of all adults use social networking sites.
Social networking sites now reach 82 percent of the world's online population, representing 1.2 billion users around the world… In October 2011, Social Networking ranked as the most popular content category in worldwide engagement, accounting for 19 percent of all time spent online. Nearly 1 in every 5 minutes spent online is now spent on social networking sites.
Social media is now a leading reason people use the Internet. And social networking is not just for kids. Facebook says it has more users in the 45 to 65 year old range than in the 13 to 17 year old range. Forty-five percent of users are age 26 and older.
So what does this mean to you, and why am I blogging about it here? For you and for NBDPA, social media presents tremendous opportunities for networking, collaborating, sharing best practices, communicating and connecting to a nearly unlimited pool of people with similar needs and wants, as well as to information that may benefit you. The world truly is getting smaller. Instead of reaching out to single contacts, you can now create networks of hundreds or thousands of people located around the globe—and you can do so almost instantaneously.
NBDPA's use of technology continues to evolve as well, as we seek new ways to communicate with and engage our diverse membership. Our online iRadio program is a great example of these efforts. These radio shows go far beyond traditional radio because we incorporate the Chat feature during the broadcast creating an opportunity for listeners' to dialogue and network during the broadcast. Moreover, each program is recorded so they may be accessed on demand, a great benefit to time-crunched professionals and members on the go who no longer need to worry about time differences.
You may be participating in social networking already. If so, you probably have found many different ways to connect with other NBDPA members. NBDPA is supportive in building these communities, but the real drivers of these conversations are you, the members. By sharing your thoughts and adding to the dialogue, you create value for all members.
If you haven't given social media a try, I urge you to do so. First connect with your friends, colleagues and fellow members on www.bdpa.org. Second join us on Facebook page, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and JOIN our LinkedIn group. You will find it not only fun, but also valuable. If you need a place to start, connect to me.
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Monique Berry
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Posted By Monique Berry,
Sunday, January 01, 2012
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2012 New Year's Greetings to You!
 I would like to thank you for the opportunity and honor of being the president of National BDPA for the next two years. I am thrilled to serve this incredible association and its extraordinary members. It is relatively easier to lead an organization that continues to flourish. Much of the credit for NBDPA's recent accomplishments goes to Yvette Graham, the immediate past president and her leadership team. We appreciate their tireless efforts, continued support and dedication. NBDPA will continue to grow and develop with the support of its committed leadership, chapters, members, and partners. Together, with the members of the new governing body, we will continue to move forward striving for excellence in every endeavor we undertake. Meet our Board of Directors. As with any established organization, we have some challenges ahead: getting our members involved and serving them, recruiting new members, establishing new chapters, and much more! Along with meeting these challenges for years 2012 and 2013, we will work to improve communication, increase corporate participation and identify additional revenue streams. Here's a brief look ahead at what you can expect during the first 90 days:
- Registration opens for the 2012 conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Career Triage, a live webinar series presenting a 21st Century look at how to revive a stalled career presented by career coach, Janice Coleman. FREE! for members and $25.00 per class for non-members.
- Our membership campaign begins. Members who refer new members are eligible to win prizes such as a: Kindle, iTouch, Nano, Nook and more! Sign in nowt o refer your friends and peers.
- National officer appearances on BDPA iRadio program.
- Eastern Regional Leadership Conference and National BDPA Board of Directors meeting in Baltimore, Maryland.
- STEM Online Simulations page added to the National Website
- Regional Vice President Chapter assessments begin.
- Regional Vice President teleconferences with Chapter Presidents.
Check out our website as we continue to develop new partnerships that will provide more resources and opportunities for members in the coming year. View our calendar to watch for NBDPA events at a chapter near you! You will also see regular communications, news and updates on the website and in BDPAToday. I encourage you to reach out, contribute, volunteer, and get involved. VISIT our Facebook page, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and JOIN our LinkedIn group. Members are invited to provide suggestions, comments, and questions anytime, especially during the next 90 days, by using the Contact Usform available on the website. I assure you, they will be reviewed carefully. Your voice is important to me, as it is to all of NBDPA and we can't do this without you. I commit my best efforts to NBDPA and its members. On behalf of the NBDPA Board of Directors and Executive Committee, I wish you all a prosperous and successful year! Monique F. Berry National President
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