How to Conduct a Post Level Training Event By Rick Pushies

Best Practices Planning & Organization Administration After Action 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Planning & Organization Scheduling Take the Initiative Team Input Far Enough Ahead Fifth Saturdays – Are Best Days Publish Everywhere! Scheduling It takes the good initiative or proactive work of the team leader to start the scheduling process. This is a challenge, because as many leaders know once a schedule is decided upon, soon conflicts appear. To help minimize scheduling conflicts include your whole training team and work through all the possible scheduling conflicts before a final schedule for your event is presented to the public. Don’t be surprised if after all you efforts to avoid conflicts if some still show up. Some believe the word “schedule” is a synonym for the word “conflict.” Far Enough Ahead Enough time must be allowed in the planning for a training to ensure things are done right, so schedule things far enough ahead of the event so there is enough time to actually do things right. The bigger the training event, the more time needs to be built into the event schedule. When conducting a training event for the first time, even more time should be devoted to the planning and preparation. Fifth Saturdays – Are Best Days When looking for a good day to hold your post training event, many like to schedule them on Saturday to get the best attendance. Selecting the fifth Saturday of the month usually offers the fewest conflicts with regularly scheduled post events. In a given year there are only 3 or 4 months that have 5 Saturdays. Since there are so few months with 5 Saturdays, the selection of a 5th Saturday also tends to give you more time to do you planning and organization. Publish Everywhere! Once the training staff puts together their schedule for the event let everyone know. This includes all the members of your Legion Family and your Legion Neighbors. 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Planning & Organization Marketing Efforts Internal vs. External Markets Right Message – Who, What, When, Where, Cost Right People – Legion Family, Legion Neighbors Right Frequency – As Often As Possible! Then Talk, a Lot & Use: “Word of Mouth” Marketing Efforts A good marketing efforts results in more people attending training. A training class with many dozens of participants offers a better training environment than a class of participants numbered in single digits. Right Message – Who, What, When, Where, Cost Right People – Legion Family, Legion Neighbors Right Frequency – As Often As Possible! Then Talk, a Lot & Use: “Word of Mouth”   The Right Message The right message, is a key element in a good marketing program. Often the marketing of events begin with a flier that provides the who, what, when, where, why, how and cost for the event. If the event the flier has all the information needed you are off to a good start. The design, graphics, colors and color paper are probably less import if the who, what, when, where, why, how and cost for the event is easily readable. Once the flier is produced share it with everyone! And, share it often, The Right Frequency The right frequency can be a challenge for many events, until everyone involved in the success of the training event become engaged in marketing the training event. The training staff become a powerful voice in the market place and the more they share with others the benefits of attending the training event, the more attendance increases The benefits fall into two categories, for the person attending and for the post Legion Family. Many Legionnaires want to become stronger members and stronger leaders and Training is the path to growth as a person and as a post leader. The Legion Family also benefits when our Legion Family members more clearly understand the vision, mission and programs of The American Legion. Training is the best way to provide that understanding. Internal Market Although we want our post Legionnaires to be well trained the post becomes even stronger, when the Auxiliary, Sons and Legion Riders are also well trained about The American Legion. Our post Legion Family is our internal market. External Market All those outside the post, neighboring posts, other veteran service organization, other veteran service organizations, veterans in general and the local community that make up our external market. Neighboring American Legion posts who may have members willing, wanting and waiting to attend a good quality training event to help them better serve our veterans. 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Planning & Organization Staff Selection Select the Best – Who Want to Serve Leader – “Servant of Hope” Trainers – “Training Objectives” Administration Registration - Handouts, Surveys Welcomer(s) – A Smile for Everyone Technology Guru – HDMI, Dual Displays Marketing Efforts A good marketing efforts results in more people attending training. A training class with many dozens of participants offers a better training environment than a class of participants numbered in single digits. Right Message – Who, What, When, Where, Cost Right People – Legion Family, Legion Neighbors Right Frequency – As Often As Possible! Then Talk, a Lot & Use: “Word of Mouth”   The Right Message The right message, is a key element in a good marketing program. Often the marketing of events begin with a flier that provides the who, what, when, where, why, how and cost for the event. If the event the flier has all the information needed you are off to a good start. The design, graphics, colors and color paper are probably less import if the who, what, when, where, why, how and cost for the event is easily readable. Once the flier is produced share it with everyone! And, share it often, The Right Frequency The right frequency can be a challenge for many events, until everyone involved in the success of the training event become engaged in marketing the training event. The training staff become a powerful voice in the market place and the more they share with others the benefits of attending the training event, the more attendance increases The benefits fall into two categories, for the person attending and for the post Legion Family. Many Legionnaires want to become stronger members and stronger leaders and Training is the path to growth as a person and as a post leader. The Legion Family also benefits when our Legion Family members more clearly understand the vision, mission and programs of The American Legion. Training is the best way to provide that understanding. Internal Market Although we want our post Legionnaires to be well trained the post becomes even stronger, when the Auxiliary, Sons and Legion Riders are also well trained about The American Legion. Our post Legion Family is our internal market. External Market All those outside the post, neighboring posts, other veteran service organization, other veteran service organizations, veterans in general and the local community that make up our external market. Neighboring American Legion posts who may have members willing, wanting and waiting to attend a good quality training event to help them better serve our veterans. 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Planning & Organization Staff Development Staff Selection – Select the Best! Staff Size - Have Enough or More Trainers - Learning Objectives Staff Duties - Written Rehearsal - For Everyone Especially Technology! Staff Development Staff Selection – Select the Best! Staff Size - Have Enough or More Trainers - Learning Objectives Staff Duties - Written Rehearsal - For Everyone Especially Technology! Training Team should include good people willing to: Event Leader – this person bring all the elements of the training experience into focus and ensures the success of the event. From the financial accountability found in the event budget to the follow-up on the after event surveys, the event leader shows both initiative and accountability to get the job done right. Trainers – the training material presented by your trainers should be well defined, with clear outcomes that define the training content. The skills of quality trainers go a long way in making the training event a success as they are the main communicators of training material. They also Administration Sign-in support & name badges Handouts After event surveys Smiling members to Welcome participants – Whether a seasoned Legionnaire, a brand new member or a member of the Legion family everyone attending the training event should be welcomed when they arrive at the door. It is simple common courtesy and goes a long way to establishing a positive training atmosphere. Electronic Guru – this is the person with the skill knowledge and experience to ensure all the electronic devices work as expected. 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Welcome Administration Smile as You Greet Everyone Staff & Participants Wear Name Tags Staff & Participants sign-in Registration & Fees Handouts & Event S.S.C. Survey 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Administration Strict Regard for Time Event Agenda – With Presentation Times Start on Time – Set Example Time Flash Cards – Time Keeper 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Electronics Administration Video Displays & Sound Power Strips & Other Cables Wi-Fi Password Set-Up Electronics Night Before 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Administration Facility Issues Room Heating & Lighting Power Refreshments & Snacks Seating & Table Arrangements Restrooms 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

S.S.C. Survey Review After Action What to Start? What to Stop? What to Continue? After Event, Have Staff Complete The Start, Stop & Continue Survey 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

S.S.C. Survey Review After Action What to Start? What to Stop? What to Continue? After Event, Have Staff Complete The Start, Stop & Continue Survey 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Event Budget Reconciliation After Action Event Budget Reconciliation Account for all income and expenses. Include Donations Support for Next Budget 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Next Event After Action Review All Surveys Evaluate Success Make Recommendations to Change What Needs Changing 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP

Enjoy The Experience & Celebrate Success Don’t Forget To: Enjoy The Experience & Celebrate Success 8/23/2019 Designed by RCBP