Message from the executive director.

The Professional Development Institute (PDI) will convene in Cleveland, Ohio, June 1-4, 2004. In keeping with our plan to grow and improve ASMC, we will offer several types of innovative instructional approaches. In addition to their specific contribution to the PDI, they will illustrate the types of creative instructional presentations each chapter can offer to improve the local training program.

The first type involves using subject matter experts from outside and sometimes unexpected sources. To this end, the faculty of the Federal Executive Institute will present workshops and symposia. That outstanding faculty will bring a rich new perspective to the PDI. The teaching point here is the necessity for program committees to seek instruction from new and nontraditional sources.

The second type involves all-encompassing presentations on specific topics. The workshop on Individual Financial Readiness will present the pros and cons of emergency lending, or so-called "payday lending." Here ASMC serves as an intermediary to bring out all sides of a controversial issue. The learning objective is that ASMC chapters can help illuminate issues by putting forth information from all points of view.

The final type involves the development of a virtual library that can be used for continuing professional education. This venue will enable us to make each training event available to the largest possible audience.

Developing an innovative training program is the greatest challenge at the national and the chapter levels. While the National PDI continues to grow and improve, so do most of the local chapter programs. Keep up the good work.

James F. McCall,

LTG U.S. Army (Retired), CDFM