Message from Richmond Chapter Past President

BDPA Richmond is the 5th largest chapter in the nation. The chapter motto is 'Educate to Elevate'. I encourage other BDPA chapters to look to the brothers and sisters as role models when it comes to the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program development.

Past president Jackie Pryor shared her thoughts on our BDPA students:

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Good morning BDPA family and friends.

I was one of the participants who interviewed students at the Richmond Technical Center on November 17th. It was a great learning experience. We were given a list of questions to ask the students and we were asked to rate the students on appropriate dress, appearance, grammar, completed documents (cover letter, resume, application), and how well or if they answered the questions. I'm sure you are not surprised as to what I saw. It's amazing how just signing the application was an issue for them, wearing the appropriate attire, and having all of their
references.

We have some very bright students who really want to do well in life. Some of these students have their stuff together. They had plan A, B, and C already set. Then there were other students who just aren't quite there yet. We are all professionals who have been where these students are and we made it to where we are today. They need our help whether they are the students with plans set for the future or students who just don't quite have it together yet. Either way, they need to see professional adults; minority professional adults; the professional they can become.

My request for you is when you see opportunities to volunteer to help our youth, please step up to the plate. It doesn't matter if you have just an hour to spare or a month, they need us to help guide them. That hour (or month) can be used to teach one of our HSCC classes that occurs every Saturday or to talk to one of our college chapters. Once you volunteer, you get hooked.

Thank you for listening and I look forward to seeing you volunteer in 2010. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Jackie Pryor, Immediate Past President
BDPA Richmond Chapter

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What are your thoughts about volunteerism in BDPA? What are your thoughts on Jackie's message?

Message from Richmond Chapter Past President

I have served on the National BDPA Board of Directors for the past two years with Jackie Pryor. She served as president of BDPA Richmond chapter from 2007-2008. Her legacy as a BDPA leader is remarkably positive.

Here is what Jackie had to say to her chapter members and supporters earlier this week:

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Happy New Year BDPA members and supporters.

Thank you to everyone that supported BDPA Richmond this past year. The year had its ups and downs and I know that we are all looking forward to new beginnings. Speaking of new beginnings, I would like to congratulate Jamar Arvin, the new president of BDPA Richmond, and Christopher
Parker, the new president-elect of BDPA Richmond. These gentlemen have some really good plans in store for BDPA Richmond this year.

I would also like to thank Julia Harris for stepping up once again as the VP of Finance.

Please come out to our meeting on January 27th at Anthem on Staples Mill Rd for their induction and to hear their plans. You will see more information concerning the meeting within the next week.

As for me, I have enjoyed being the president of BDPA Richmond. I am not stepping away; only stepping down to behind the scenes. You will still hear from me in the future. I will be working with the Middle School Computer Terminology Quiz Bowl and will be soliciting your help.

Once again, thank you for your support during my term as the president and thank you for your continued support to BDPA Richmond.

Have a blessed year!!!
Jackie Pryor, Immediate Past President
BDPA Richmond Chapter

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Her chapter is the defending winner of the Chapter Membership Award ... and it currently stands as the 2nd largest chapter in the nation. I encourage you to use the COMMENTS option below to share some 'BDPA Love' with Jackie!

Message from Richmond Chapter President

BDPA Richmond earned the 'Chapter Membership Award' earlier this year. I marvel at the work done by this chapter in social networks (CollectiveX, YahooGroup, Facebook), comprehensive SITES program and aggressive fundraising initiatives. So, I wasn't surprised when Jackie Pryor, one of the strongest BDPA presidents in the nation, shared the following message with her chapter stakeholders:

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Dear BDPA Members, Friends and Colleagues,

Heading into the Holiday Season provides us an opportunity to reflect on the positive things we have experienced during the past year and prepare for the New Year with even bigger goals and aspirations. It is time to feel grateful for our health and family and to be thankful for the many things we take for granted. The Holidays also give us a chance to recharge and assess the true meaning and purpose of our lives.

I am very proud of the BDPA Richmond Chapter and our members. I am thankful for the achievements of our Executive Board and dedicated members who worked hard to serve our chapter.

BDPA Richmond continues to close the Digital Divide by helping the community maintain an awareness of the value of computer technology. This year we delivered programs such as LEGO, the Middle School Computer Terminology Quiz Bowl, and the High School Computer Competition Training program. With our continued support of the SITES program- Student Information Technology Education and Scholarship Programs, we gave students over $3,500 in scholarships in 2008.

This year our chapter has been the third largest chapter in BDPA. This is a remarkable growth and proof that interest continues in our organization to grow. This means also that our collective BDPA wealth of member experiences has grown phenomenally and your professional networking opportunities are more abundant than ever.

I feel indebted to each and every officer, board member, committee member and sponsor, as well as all those who actively engage themselves in our chapter, for their remarkable efforts and achievements this past year. Whether it was organizing a program meeting, planning a social or networking event, or introducing our profession to high school students, our volunteers do it all. Thank you everyone.

As you look back on 2008, take pride in what you have accomplished personally and professionally, and take a moment to acknowledge what others have done to help you along the way.

Our challenge in 2009 is to continue the implementation of our Chapter's two-year Strategic Plan. The purpose of the strategic plan is to link chapter priorities and objectives to the BDPA National strategic priorities, local member needs and community requirements.

As you set your New Year's resolutions, consider putting your involvement in BDPA high on that list. The benefits you will reap include professional development, networking and social opportunities, and simply making our profession better, which in my mind is priceless!

On behalf of the Richmond chapter’s Executive Board and all of our key volunteers, I wish you and yours a joyous and a very safe holiday season.

Best Regards,
Jackie Pryor, President
BDPA Richmond Chapter
Motto: “Educate to Elevate”

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Please use the COMMENTS section below to share some love with Jackie! Is your chapter president sending out messages like this as well?

BETF & Richmond Chapter Receive $18,000 Check to Support Youth Education

BDPA Education & Technology Foundation, in conjunction with BDPA Richmond chapter, is proud to announce receipt of $18,000 grant from The Community Foundation Serving Richmond & Central Virginia. This funding will be used to support the SITES programming for Richmond chapter in 2007-2008. The SITES program in Richmond includes their High School Computer Training program, Middle School Computer Terminology Quiz Bowl, and the First LEGO League program. Kudos to Jackie Pryor, BDPA Richmond chapter president, for leading the effort to get this funding!

Message from Richmond Chapter President

Jackie Pryor is the president of our BDPA chapter in Richmond, VA. She shared her overview of the 29th annual BDPA Technology Conference held last week in Washington DC. Her comments were as follows:

"Good afternoon BDPA members and supporters.

I want to thank all of those that attended especially our High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team, Youth Technology Camp (YTC) students, trainers, and the HSCC committee. I want to also thanks the the Parents Groups, sponsors and everyone else that contributed with donations or supporting our fundraisers to get our students to the conference. It was a blessing that the conference was in DC this year. But don't get too comfortable. We will be working on 2008 soon and we will need your help again.

If you weren't able to make it, you missed a good one. I was only able to go up on Friday, but in the short amount of time I was there, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and so did my daughter, who is only 10 years old. For those adults that like to have a good time, Target can throw a party. Yes, I said Target (the store). They were one of the National BDPA sponsors.

BDPA Richmond Chapter took a team of 5 members (Ashley Ragsdale, Kalifah Bey, Jhosdyn Barragan, Amber Henderson and Brittany Thomas), two chaperones, a coordinator (Yiddy Chaves) and 11 YTC students to DC in 2007. The whole experience was great!"

The chapter's HSCC Coordinator, Yiddy Chaves, provided an analysis on the performance of the team. He noted,

"Our HSCC team placed 11th out of 48 chapters. Last year we were in 6th place. The 11th place does not represent all the hard work that was done. Students knew more than the previous year; however, the score was not better. There are some reasons that can explain that:

1. The level of the competition was raised, although we did about the same that we did in 2006, other teams did much better.


2. We practiced with problems from 2004 and 2006 competitions; the 2007 problem was very similar to the one in 2005. So, teams that practiced with this problem did better, and the 2007 winner team was the same team that won in 2005.


3. I would also like to add that the 2007 Richmond team had more technical knowledge than the one in 2006 Richmond team, but a couple of obstacles (problem statement and database layout) stopped them from showing what they were capable to do.

I think it is fair to say that everyone in and out of the Richmond chapter is proud of their students. It is hard to get a group of teenagers out of their bed every Saturday during the summer to learn how to write computer programs. Yet, the students in Richmond did just that. They demonstrated a level of dedication that is worthy of praise. Hopefully, their experiences with BDPA will help them get ahead further in life."

If you know any of the five students from Richmond ... ask them to visit the BETF blog and share their comments directly with us. I would love to have them send me their own personal testimonial and photo for us to place for posterity on our BETF website.

Let's go one step further ... if you want to make a donation to the restricted BDPA Richmond chapter fund ... please use the Click and Pledge link over on the right-hand side navigation bar or you can make the donation directly to BDPA Richmond chapter's scholarship fund.

BETF thanks both Jackie Pryor and Yiddy Chaves for their comments and more importantly for their leadership! Leave a comment for the Richmond students and chapter leaders in the comments section below if you have time/inclination!