| | ----- ----- ----- Training Class Checklist for Course Coordinators ----- ----- ----- |
| The following items are requested by the instructor in advance of the class in order to ensure a prompt start and a trouble-free course presentation. The instructor is usually traveling the day before the course starts, but routinely arrives early enough to inspect the training room ahead of time (either the morning of the course or the evening before). |
| 1. | Mailing address for shipment of training materials in advance of course (this will usually be one week prior to the course): note, the boxes are heavy, the mailing tube is awkward. |
| 2. | A training room needs to be arranged. It needs to be capable of comfortably seating the number of participants expected for the class: see "Training Room Set-Up" diagram. I will require advance notice of at least one week if you anticipate using a VCR/TV system rather than a computer/LCD system. Please see that each student has sufficient "table space" to sit comfortably and take notes (some people do a lot of note-taking in the class). |
| 3. | A list of expected participants' names and their parks (if coming from multiple locations) on Friday, COB, before the week of the course via e-mail. I realize this can and will change right up to the last minute. To the extent that I can, however, I like to bring tent cards with names on the them for use in the class; I always bring some blanks as well. |
| 4. | A note confirming the time when the training room will be opened up in the morning in advance of the class, and confirmation of the announced starting time for the course on day one. |
| 5. | Extension cords and at least one power strip // for lcd projector, vcr or whatever is being used. |
| 6. | An LCD projector unit or a VCR/TV unit. Anymore, everyone seems to use the projection systems hooked to a computer --- I bring my own laptop, but I rely on the park or the training facility to have an LCD unit, complete with power and RGB analog cable. If you are using a VCR/TV unit, remember the rule of thumb is one inch of screen measured diagonally for each participant: usually need at least a 30" screen on the TV. |
| 7. | If using an LCD projector unit, it also means the room needs to have a screen available. In addition, we will need a set of computer speakers to boost the sound; they need to have at least enough volume capacity to reach all corners of the room -- at a minimum, the speakers need to have their own power source; if they can operate without a power unit, they are probably too small. |
| 8. | We will need two flipcharts and at least one full pad of flipchart paper. Markers (reasonably fresh) are nice, too; I can bring markers if necessary, but try to let me know in advance. (I prefer not use white boards, but I can if necessary). |
| 9. | A knife or something else sharp to cut open the boxes and mailing tube is appreciated / or cut them open before bringing them to the training room. |
| 10. | Assistance in mailing back some of the training materials when the class is over / i.e. one mailing tube and one small box. I usually have the mailing labels already prepared, but I will need strapping tape to seal up the mailing tube. Sometimes I can get the stuff to the Post Office myself; but when schedules get pressed, I sometimes need to ask for help: I will pay the cost up front, whoever delivers can keep any loose change. |
| 11. | Often times training rooms are outfitted with water, coffee, rolls, and whatnot. That's fine, I don't count on it and I am not disappointed if its not provided. I bring my own water/coffee, etc. Providing such things is strictly a park or office choice -- usually managed according to whatever rules and customs apply to the site. |
| 12. | Practice makes perfect: Please let me know at any point if these checklist items are unclear, unreasonable or otherwise making things harder rather than easier. Call me, e-mail me or use this site's contact form. THANKS. |