Central Iowa ASTD                                   
 
Where are they now...
By Steve Couchman
Central Iowa ASTD Webmaster

In this new series to the Central Iowa ASTD website, we will stroll down memory lane and catch up with some of the Past Presidents of our chapter. 

In the first installment, we catch up with LuRae Crawford.  In December 2011, LuRae was awarded the Central Iowa ASTD President's Award for her service to the chapter.

LuRae has a distinguished history with our chapter, first joining the board of directors in 1998 as Vice President of Programming.  During her time in this role, the Programming committee delivered four quarterly programs to the members.  Her model is still being used in the chapter today with our current programming.

In 2000-2002 she moved into the Executive Committee, serving as President-Elect, President, and Past President.  While serving on the Executive Committee, the chapter assumed full responsibility for the Trainer's Institute, implemented the Big Bucks program, launched the first website for the chapter, and first the first time in the history of the chapter was able to send the entire board of directors to the National ALC conference.  In 2008, she came back on to the board to serve in the role of Past President, and once again shared her knowledge and expertise with the chapter.  LuRae was known for always asking "What's the benefit for the members" to ensure the event or program had meaning and value.

In addition to her work on the local level, LuRae was very involved with National ASTD, including serving on the MAP review team, ASTD Leadership Design Team, and ASTD's National Advisors for Chapters (NAC).  During her time on NAC, she served on the One Voice Committee, which was charged with helping develop trusting relationships between National and the Chapters.  Because of her work on NAC, she was recognized in 2009 as the Volunteer-Staff Partnership Award recipient.

"She understood we all had other commitments, yet always held us accountable for our roles on the board" stated Cathy Belmont who served with LuRae on the board. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with LuRae and chat about the President's Award and more.

Q - What was your reaction when you found out about the President's Award?

LC - I was shocked, honored, had no idea, but also saw it as an opportunity to say thank you to a group of great people who have always been there for me over the years.

Q - You have a distinguished history with our chapter, is there one accomplishment that stands out during your time serving on the board of directors?

LC - Being able to send the entire board to the national event, and come back with so many ideas we could share with the chapter.  Additionally, we provided our members rewarding and fulfilling events that could benefit their professional advancement. 

Q - How has CI-ASTD benefited your career in the Learning and Performance field?

LC - The relationships, being able to have peers who you can share ideas with, who can be your sounding board, and the business connections. 

LuRae Crawford, distinguished leader, mentor, friend, and someone in our chapter you need to know.
 
 
© Central Iowa ASTD