Education Department Update
Apr 25, 2019
The National Education Department held its historic Spring meeting in Toronto at the Hilton Airport Hotel on March 22 – 24, 2019. This year has been a bit different from one held in the near past, the National Membership Committee held a meeting at the same time in the next room and met with the Education Committee in a joint meeting Saturday afternoon.
The Education meeting has been very inspiring, the DEOs’ and Course Chairs were presented with all the changes to come in the Department. They had the opportunity to sample most of the Seminars that are now available and the new ones to be delivered shortly. They were also informed of the status of the new ROC-M course manuals, presentations and exams. They were able to discuss their concern with the obligation to register to have access to the new Online Study Guide and were explained the reasons why they had to register. Some attendees were still with this obligation to register and it has been decided to produce a short video showing how to process.
The Outreach Committee was able to provide a sample by Eileen Germain on how the new tools part of the Instructor Tool Kit could be used in the field. The Education attendants were able to participate in a SWOT analysis session held by Eileen and Murray Richmond, both part of the Outreach Committee. This exercise allows everyone in the Education Department to realize the:
– Strengths – Weaknesses – Opportunities – Threats
Five teams were created to discuss each points separately and to share with the other teams at the end of each session.
Tom Beaver offered us a “Progress Report” on the Online training, giving us the backgrounder, how online course delivery works, what has been accomplished to date and an outlook on the opportunities and challenges to come. We have been presented the actual composition of the Outreach team. Immediately after everyone was handed out a copy of the price structure and presented by Tom with a Power Point detailing all the prices for Online courses.
Environment Thrusts of the Future has been also presented to all, it is a very important aspect of our boating life and we think that it is important that all boaters realize the impact of plastic pollution in our water. CPS-ECP has produced a short seminar on the matter using information received from two of our new and younger members, Jennifer Pate and Jackie Hildering.
John Kabel, Chair of the Electronic Navigation courses met with as many persons as possible, from different areas and position within the CPS-ECP, to create a new manual that would meet our needs. He was also available at the Hospitality suite sponsored by York East District to answer any questions anyone could have.
John Gullick gave us an update on the RVCC program and on the Flare recovery program. We have not yet received confirmation that our two programs budget request were accepted. So far we have all the sticker and form for the RVCC program, but no shirts or sign were approved. John told us we could move on this program with only the basics. However, for the flare Recovery Program, Squadrons are not to initiate anything on this program because there is no funding.
Vanessa Schmidt and Nour Bawad for the Graphic Department at the National Office were available at the Hospitality Suite to meet everyone and answer any questions related to their works and on the use of Pressbook on the editions of our manuals.
The joint meeting with Membership was also very interesting as we discussed ways to:
• How to Promote Membership in Course Notes?
• How to Promote Membership in Class and Events?
• How to Promote Education at Member and Other Events?
By: Jean-Robert Lavergne, PA
National Education Officer
Photo: Jim Atkinson
