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PDI as a Virtual training and development event

  • 1.  PDI as a Virtual training and development event

    Posted 03-31-2020 09:01
    I recommend that ASMC seriously consider planning THIS year's PDI as a virtual training and development event. It will be more work and recovery if this event has to be cancelled at the last minute, when ASMC could choose to tailor it, in advance, to meet the needs of ASMC members. The ASMC virtual PDI has been available for a number of years. Speakers and course presenters can utilize an interactive environment. The presentations can be taped ahead of time and placed out on the ASMC PDI 2020 website. Individuals could still be on approved training status, and attend from their homes, via on-line. Members and non-members could pay a fee to obtain a uniquely assigned password to access the courses.

    A virtual event would additionally provide significant relief to each agency's travel budget (that's assuming the travel ban is even lifted), as well as provide an opportunity for many more of their ASMC members to take advantage of this training and development opportunity, rather than a selected dozen or so.

    Respectfully,
    Alita Kay, CDFM-A, DFMCP2
    Defense Logistics Agency


  • 2.  RE: PDI as a Virtual training and development event

    Posted 04-01-2020 01:44
    I completely agree. Need a to a virtual PDI. Too much unknown.

    Kindest Regards,
    Melissa
    +1.910.527.5707
    Rodeffer2@yahoo.com

    Believe and all your dreams will come true!
    Sent from my iPhone




  • 3.  RE: PDI as a Virtual training and development event

    Posted 04-01-2020 07:18
    I'll second that. In this pandemic environment, it seems very unlikely that ASMC members will be able to attend PDI in person. Alita's idea would ensure that, rather than everyone missing out entirely, many more of us get to participate. I encourage ASMC to strongly consider a virtual PDI for 2020.

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    Kenneth Harry
    U.S. Army, TRADOC
    Fort Leavenworth, KS
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  • 4.  RE: PDI as a Virtual training and development event

    Posted 04-01-2020 08:51
    ?Alita Kay,


    I support your recommendation. Limited funding has cause our command to only send a handful to the PDI each year. If virtual, I may consider using my personal funds to invest in myself. A virtual event has the potential to increase attendance.


    Very Respectfully,

    Vanessa Sweet

    Navy Personnel Command




  • 5.  RE: PDI as a Virtual training and development event

    Posted 04-01-2020 17:47
    I understand the advantages of a virtual PDI... reduced travel costs, easier for more people to participate, etc.   If I were to have one concern, it would be that if you do it once and it is even moderately successful, the question will be why can't  it be virtual all the time to reduce costs every year. If that that were to happen, everyone would lose the benefit of personal interaction and networking that goes with an in-person event.
    I know that coming out and canceling is not popular due to those lucky few that can attend losing CPEs, but be careful what you ask for.   You might just be (un)lucky get it.

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    Walter Koepp
    Stafford VA
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  • 6.  RE: PDI as a Virtual training and development event

    Posted 04-02-2020 08:03
    I agree with Walter. Going with a virtual PDI this year might well mean the end of PDIs as we have known them. Better to postpone, if possible, or just cancel this year.

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    William Arnold CDFM-A
    Heath OH
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  • 7.  RE: PDI as a Virtual training and development event

    Posted 04-02-2020 10:49
    In Virginia  we have a stay at home order that goes until 10 June.  And almost everyone in US is limited to where they can fly to and from in regards to any hot zones.  There are in fact many unknowns. And if in fact as many cases occur as predicted I can't see anyway to effectively hold a PDI 55 days from now when too much is still happening.  The curve isn't expected to peak until the end of April.  Based on other comments my vote would be to Cancel the PDI similar to the Olympics being cancelled and go for next year.  There are still plenty of ways to earn CPEs in the year at no cost to the government, and with this large stimulus package that has just been signed it would be prudent as financial professionals to work as a community and mitigate spending that would otherwise be incurred - like TDY and Travel.  Let's do our part and let's be financially responsible.   Thanks Mike A.  CPA, CDFM-A, DFMCL3   Stay Safe.​

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    Michael Alfano
    Arlington VA
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  • 8.  RE: PDI as a Virtual training and development event

    Posted 04-02-2020 11:22
    ​I suspect that for those pushing for a virtual PDI has more to do with the fact that you were not one of "the selected dozen or so" chosen to attend than it does with trying to save command travel funds or allowing for more folks to participate.
         Since this pandemic is a very unique circumstance, I believe that a decision by ASMC to postpone, or cancel, this years PDI should solely be based on the health and safety of the participants.
         ASMC has been hosting PDIs for many years and I do not ever recall anyone in the past lobbying that this great networking experience be turned into a virtual experience.
         Members and non-members have always had the opportunity to obtain the Virtual PDI from the Online Learning Center at ASMC's website after the actual event has occurred.  This is a great resource for those who could not attend in person to still be able to earn CPEs.  A majority of the content will allow you to earn up to 1.50 CPEs.  And if you do not want to purchase the Virtual PDI using your own funds, you could request that your local ASMC chapter purchase it so that all of the chapter members can benefit.



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    David Mann CDFM
    Defense Logistics Agency
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  • 9.  RE: PDI as a Virtual training and development event

    Posted 04-02-2020 13:45
    Certainly, I believe we would all agree that the decision on whether or not to conduct a live, non-virtual PDI, should definitely be based on the health and safety of the participants, given the COVID-19 situation. Additionally, if the PDI is just postponed until sometime later this year, there will not be any problem. If the event is cancelled, however, there will be no opportunity for any member to obtain access to a 2020 virtual PDI session from the online learning center. We all understand that both methods (virtual or live) have their respective tangible and intangible benefits and costs. A number of ASMC members have discussed those in responses to my original recommendation regarding this year's PDI. Any PDI participant would agree that the live event is definitely a positive networking experience. However, a virtual PDI would not completely eliminate member networking opportunities. ASMC established our ASMC ONLINE All Member Community as an organizational networking tool to encourage daily interaction/discussion between its members, who represent most government agencies and military services.

    This discussion of the various pros/cons of "virtual" rather than "in-person" PDI has been interesting and who knows what the outcome will be?

    Hope all of you stay safe and healthy!

    Alita Kay, CDFM-A, DFMCP2
    Defense Logistics Agency




  • 10.  RE: PDI as a Virtual training and development event

    Posted 04-03-2020 16:20
    ASMC could produce a virtual PDI product by having presenters use one of the many great digital meeting software packages DOD has to do their presentations.  The software allows for slides to be presented with the presenter in the lower corner.  ASMC can collect the presentations and make them available like previous virtual PDI's.  Some of the software is flexible enough to allow presenters quarantined at home with their DOD laptops (those with cameras for approved video conferencing) to do their presentations from there.  Others could coordinate with VTC facilities, if their laptops are not equipped for video conferencing, and they are not quarantined.  It comes down to "will" versus "way."  If there is strong enough will then we can find a will.

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    James Burdick CDFM-A
    Radcliff KY
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