Association for Talent Development (ATD) presentations are a valuable source of knowledge and insights for talent development professionals. In one such presentation, the Chapter Recognition Committee (CRC) emphasized the importance of submitting Share Our Success (SOS) stories. SOS stories are unique achievements and best practices that chapters can share with the wider community. This blog post explores the importance of SOS submissions, the process involved, and the benefits it brings to chapters.
Finding and Sharing Success
During the presentation, the CRC highlighted the availability of SOS stories. The SOS repository serves as a hub where chapters can explore and search for shared successes. Chapters can gain inspiration, replicate successful initiatives, and discover new ideas to enhance their operations by reviewing these stories.
Benefits of SOS Submissions
Submitting an SOS story offers several benefits for chapters. First and foremost, it is a prerequisite for chapters aspiring to be recognized as Chapter of the Month. Recognition as Chapter of the Month comes with a $500 reward and provides chapters with increased visibility. Chapters are acknowledged on the homepage, receive a mention in the letter from the President, benefit from press releases, and are granted a special logo for their website.
Moreover, sharing successes through SOS stories allows chapters to highlight their strengths and connect with other chapters. It creates a platform for collaboration, enabling talent development professionals to learn from each other, exchange ideas, and establish valuable connections within the ATD community.
The SOS Submission Process
To submit an SOS story, chapters need to fill out a form that is then sent to the CRC. The CRC reviews the submissions based on specific criteria. An SOS story must be replicable, demonstrating support for the Chapter Affiliation Requirements (CARE), and possess measurable outcomes. The submission must also be unique or distinctive.
Examples of Successful SOS Submissions
Several examples of successful SOS submissions were shared during the presentation. These examples showcased simple wins that chapters had achieved, such as writing a welcome letter with easy access links, providing recognition for anniversaries, and implementing action planning processes. The example we submitted highlights the effective use of Asana and templates for organizing events, newsletters, and onboarding new members. These examples illustrate that SOS stories can encompass a wide range of initiatives and practices.
Unlocking Growth and Recognition
By actively participating in the SOS program, chapters not only contribute to the collective knowledge of the ATD community but also fulfill the requirements of the new CARE Plus program. The SOS stories serve as evidence of a chapter’s commitment to professional development, growth, and engagement.
Conclusion
The Share Our Success (SOS) program offered by the Association for Talent Development provides chapters with a platform to showcase their achievements, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration. By submitting replicable successes with measurable outcomes, chapters can not only qualify for Chapter of the Month recognition but also strengthen their connection to the larger ATD community. The process of submitting SOS stories to the CRC is straightforward and can unlock numerous benefits for chapters. So, let’s embrace the opportunity to share our successes and propel the growth and recognition of our chapters within the talent development field.
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