The State Chapter of the National Career Development Association

A Time To Rebuild

Dear GCDA Members and Prospective Members,

It is a pleasure to serve as the President for the 2022-2023 season for all of you. When I am asked to describe GCDA I first share that:

 “GCDA is made up of the nicest group of people. They were so welcoming at my first event.  I felt like I belonged and have felt like I belong ever since.”

I hear over and over that post-pandemic, we are all doing some similar things:

●      Taking time to consider if we want to do something

●      Taking time to consider if we have to do something

●      Trying to find the enthusiasm to do something

●      Trying to be at peace with decisions and circumstances for ourselves

None of these thoughts are positive or negative. They are different for each of us. For some members, the Pandemic has been a time to build new adventures in our careers and pursue interests we longed to have the time to pursue. For others, it has been a time requiring kindness to ourselves to process loss in different quantities and corners of our lives. For most, it’s been a mix of it all.

We are all rebuilding. GCDA is rebuilding too. We have begun slowly this Fall and are gaining momentum to inspire you in thought or action:

●      Our Fall Kickoff event will soon be offered as our first On-Demand Course.

●      We are working on cross-collaboration partnerships with organizations in Georgia, creating opportunities for our active members to share their talents in the Career space this Spring and Summer.

●      We have woven in-person events back into our Coffee and Conversations and have hit the road to host a Friday Coffee in the North, South, East, and West.

●      Our Book Club is reading Why Women Don’t Ask by Linda Babcock.

●      Mini-Conference:  you can pencil in Friday April 14 as we confirm our Keynote speaker - it’s a GREAT one!.

●      Articles from our Email Newsletters have been picked up by NCDA.

●      We are updating our website and communications plan - slowly.

●      There is more to come and great energy in our members and volunteer Board.

Now is a great time to renew your membership for yourself at www.thegcda.org to experience the knowledge and insight that GCDA inspires. We’d love to have you dive into:

●      Help plan the Mini-Conference

●      Complete a Call for Proposals for the Mini-Conference

●      Host a Coffee & Conversation Virtual or In-person

●      Write an Article for our Newsletter

●      Help us build content for the website.

●      Be our Treasurer or Social Media Coordinator.

Please reach out to me at anne@amkcoach.com or any member of the Board.  I look forward to seeing each of you this year and beyond.

Best Regards,

GCDA President & Board

Anne M. Kelly   |   President GCDA  |  amkcoach career & leadership coaching, llc          


President, 2020-21

Past President's Reflection

(2020-21)

Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving as GCDA’s President for the past year. On behalf of the board, we are thankful for each one of you and the commitment you’ve shown to GCDA this year. To the board, I am extremely proud of the leadership and innovation displayed by each of you this year. Amidst the change and uncertainty of our past year, the dedication of the board and membership was something I knew I could depend upon.  

When I look back on our past year as an organization, several highlights come to mind with one central theme - connection. When disconnection was felt strongly across our world, we chose to come together. We did this in many ways. From monthly Coffee & Connection Zoom meetings to our GCDA Book Club, Social Justice Roundtables, and new awards. We came together to support each other, advocate for our clients, prepare for the future of work, and so much more. We’ve offered each other a safe place to land and space to share challenges within our work and lives in deeper ways than ever before. I truly feel as though GCDA became more than a professional organization this year. It became a family. In this year alone, we’ve connected to grieve the loss of loved ones, celebrate the start of new businesses, fight injustices of many kinds, cheer on graduates, and admire new pets. Thank you for your commitment and vulnerability this year. Thanks for choosing to connect.  

Serving as GCDA’s President has been an absolute joy. I've loved giving back to an organization that has offered me consistent support, learning, and growth. I am excited about our coming year under the leadership of David Harris, who deserves a special thank you for serving as my President-Elect. Your guidance and support were invaluable to me this year. I’m pleased to pass the baton to you! 

Warmly,

Maggie O’Brien

GCDA President 2020-21  
Warning: browser cookies disabled. Please enable them to use this website.

Select membership level

* Mandatory fields
* Membership level
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software