
Consultant, Trainer, Project Manager, and Writer/Digital Journalist
San Francisco Bay Area

Consultant, Trainer, Project Manager, and Writer/Digital Journalist
San Francisco Bay Area
I explore, use, and write about Web 2.0 technology to creatively facilitate effective online collaboration nationwide. I also develop and manage workplace learning and performance programs; assist in strategic planning, project management, marketing and public relations, and other aspects of organizational development; and help clients improve face to face and online presentation skills.
My career includes:
•Expanding and managing a successful workplace learning and performance (training) program for the 850 employees in the multi-facility San Francisco Public Library system.
•Developing and managing mentoring programs in a variety of settings.
•Creating and developing effective volunteer programs.
•Serving as executive director of a nonprofit organization.
•More than 20 years of experience working with nonprofit and government agencies to build sustainable collaborations between agencies and their customers.
•More than 30 years of writing and editing for publication.
My most recent efforts have included documenting and sharing best practices in e-learning and in low-cost remodeling projects for libraries; writing courses for online delivery; serving as co-presenter for an American Library Association Conference (Chicago) on presentation basics and, at the same conference, presenting on the theme of "mentoring basics"; preparing articles about e-learning for publication (scheduled for publication in fall 2009); and serving as co-chair for the fifth annual Future of Libraries conference (September 23, 2009, San Francisco). As a consultant, I strive to bring that experience to clients in ways which benefit staff and the people they serve.
I work with clients and colleagues to creatively build bridges between them and members of their onsite and online communities and to develop their presentation and communication skills. The goal is to meet the needs of their staff and their current and prospective customers.
(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
January 2008 — Present (1 year 11 months)
Elected position on the Chapter's volunteer Board of Directors; current projects include working as one of two Chapter representatives on a national ASTD Membership Task Force, preparing presentations for delivery at the National Society's Chapter Leader Conference in Arlington October 30-31, 2009, and continuing to assist with the Chapter's organizational development at several levels.
(Professional Training & Coaching industry)
September 2007 — Present (2 years 3 months)
Currently working with American Library Association, ASTD (American Society for Training & Development), Infopeople, LE@D (Lifelong Education @ Desktop), and others; developing online courses for Infopeople and LE@D. Co-writing "Are You Following Me?: The Library and Nonprofit Trainer's Handbook to Leadership" with Lori Reed for ALA Editions (projected publication date: summer 2010), and also writing articles for American Libraries magazine, the e-Learning Guild's online publication, and blogs including ALA Learning Online (http://alalearning.org).
(Government Agency; Libraries industry)
February 1993 — September 2007 (14 years 8 months)
Designed, implemented, and oversaw all aspects of programs providing staff training and volunteerism, and remain willing to help others in these endeavors.
(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
1990 — 1992 (2 years )
Worked with Board of Directors and oversaw day-to-day management (human resources, financial, budgeting, fund-raising, marketing and public relations, volunteerism, and community outreach and collaboration) for this nonprofit organization.
(Writing and Editing industry)
1986 — 1990 (4 years )
Oversaw all aspects of writing, editing, and producing publications (collegiate catalog, monthly newsletters, promotional brochures, and otheres as needed) for this nonprofit educational/arts organization.
(Writing and Editing industry)
1986 — 1986 (less than a year)
Oversaw all aspects of writing, editing, and producing this monthly regional arts magazine in California's Monterey Bay Area region.
(Writing and Editing industry)
1984 — 1986 (2 years )
Had primary responsibility for media relations and the writing, editing, and production of Museum catalogs and publications for members; assisted with the creation and maintenance of a database catalog of the Museum's collections; assisted with grant-writing; provided administrative support for the director in a variety of areas including human resources.
M.S. , Library and Information Sciences , 2008 — 2009
Courses for my final semester (fall 2009) include "Managing Horizon Technology and Change" with Florence Mason and an independent study project, with Phil Turner, documenting and recommending best practices in the use of online social networking tools for library volunteer programs.
M.A. , Arts Administration , 1988 — 1990
Coursework included budgeting and finance; marketing; fundraising; collective bargaining; and other aspects of nonprofit management.
B.A. , Poli-Sci. History, Languages , 1972 — 1976
Coursework included requirements for the Political Science degree and included extensive work in history and languages.
Staff Training (Workplace Learning and Performance), Volunteer Programs, Mentoring Programs, and Organizational Development (team-building--onsite and virtual; facilitating strategic planning meetings; creating/revising bylaws for nonprofit organizations; developing marketing strategies). Web 2.0. Writing on Web 2.0 issues, e-leaning and other aspects of training, and leadership for magazines and blogs.
ALA (American Library Association), ALA Learning (American Library Association Learning Round Table), "American Libraries" magazine Advisory Committee member (July 2009-June 2011); ASTD (American Society for Training & Development--National Society and Mt. Diablo Chapter), CLA (California Library Association), PEN USA (Poets and playwrights, Essayists and editors, and Novelists), PLA (Public Library Association), Pacific Library Partnership Staff Development Committee (San Francisco Bay Area regional training consortium), and T Is For Training (Maurice Coleman's online community of learners for library trainers)
Accepted as co-presenter on the topic of keeping a national organization's local chapters alive in challenging times, presenter on the topic of nonprofit basics, and panelist for a discussion on successful and sustainable membership recruitment techniques for the American Society of Training & Development (ASTD) Chapter Leader Conference (Arlington, October 30-31, 2009)
Invited to serve as guest presenter on the topic of conducting online interviews via Google Chat for a University of Nevada, Las Vegas "Interactive Media Design" course (10/13/2009); session was conducted live via Google Chat
Accepted as co-presenter for American Library Association (ALA) Learning Round Table workshop on "Presentation Basics" and as presenter for "Mentoring Basics" workshop at ALA Annual Conference (Chicago, July 2009)
Elected as ASTD Mt. Diablo Chapter President-Elect (2009)/President (2010)
Invited to serve on national ASTD Membership Task Force (2009)