Posted on behalf of Ayub Khan, with apologies for cross posting. 
CPD **** New Qualifications Framework *** New skills **** Revalidations *** Fellowship 
Dear all, 
Renewal forms for CILIP should have hit letter boxes by now... are you going to join the same Special Interest Group as in the previous year.. why not try something new (if you are not a member already). Join thousands of others and join the Career Development Group, one of the largest Special Interest Groups of CILIP and growing in numbers each year... Why ? 
What is the Career Development Group?
The Career Development Group works to assist new, existing, student, and potential library and information workers by supporting and promoting issues in the personal and professional development of its members. Over half our members are Chartered Librarians. 
This ranges from formal and structured kinds of professional development, such as Chartership, to more informal and ongoing approaches to developing personally and professionally. We have a membership of over 5,000 members and growing.
Why is career development so important?
Personal and professional development affects everyone throughout his or her entire life. Increasingly people are required to update and develop skills on an ongoing basis to enable them to keep abreast of fast-changing developments effecting the profession, which might impact their working lives. Being a member of the Career Development Group can help you to take responsibility for your ongoing development and help you to maximise your potential personally and professionally.
Benefits for members
"It's great meeting up with and learning from people who work in such different contexts." 
"Career Development Group events are always informative and good value for money."
"I have greater focus, feel less daunted and will be able to charter more smoothly and quickly."
Journal
Free copies of Impact, the Journal of the Career Development Group, issued to all members of the Group 4 times a year.
Impact includes articles on current library and information issues, conference papers, book reviews and details of forthcoming events in your area.
Support
Opportunities for networking through a UK-wide Regional support network. Get ready for revalidation: become involved in your local group
Training
Participate in specially designed, low-cost courses and talks on topical issues. Our conference in 2003 was on the theme of Skills for the Future which was very popular and the papers are posted on our web site if you are interested in finding out more. Discount for our high-profile National Conference.
Chartering and more..
Local support and courses to help you achieve formal professional development through Chartership. Also note 56% of our members are chartered. We support learning and development your whole career
Students
Responding to issues which matter to students through the student committee. We have a student conference planned for March 2004.
Campaigns
Raising awareness of important and topical issues, such as Freedom of Information and tackling discrimination.
International
Opportunities to influence practical initiatives overseas and visit other countries. Study tour in 2003 was to Finland. We are planning the 2004/5 conference now... Our current book project is in South Africa and we support a VSO librarian. 
Publications
Professional literature at reduced prices to members. Our publications include standard bibliographic aids, and works on topical issues of interest and relevance to those working in the library and information field.
Web site - masses of information and links. 
Join now - just write `A` - Career Development Group in the Special Interest Group membership renewal box 
New year new Group. Also don't forget you can join additional Groups for less than a fiver.
Ayub Khan 
President, Career Development Group 
Jan 2004 
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Rowena Macrae-Gibson MCLIP
Hon. Membership & Marketing Officer,
Career Development Group
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
tel: 020 7955 6148
http://www.careerdevelopmentgroup.org.uk/index.htm