Professional and Social Issues (PSI) program

Introduction

The BCTF has a proud history of supporting members and locals with workshops and training. Workshops are led by classroom teachers (facilitators) with special expertise and training.

Workshops are available for school staffs, districts, locals, parent groups, and conferences/PD days.

Special requests: Sometimes schools, locals, or regions need a workshop or study session that is not covered by our current list of workshops. BCTF facilitators are often able to adapt and extend services to meet these needs.

Further, locals and/or schools that are geographically adjacent may wish to co-sponsor BCTF workshop together. Henry Lee, the workshop co-ordinator, will work with locals and schools in the organization and logistics of co-sponsored workshops. Sessions meeting BCTF workshop criteria and budget guidelines will be fully funded by the BCTF. Cost-sharing with school districts and agencies is also negotiable.

If you have an idea, special circumstance, or request, please contact Henry Lee at 604-871-1849, or 1-800-663-9163, local 1849, or hlee@bctf.ca.

Examples of special request workshops

• classroom demonstrations • onsite school district and local training to build local capacity • presentations to parent advisory councils • introduction to regional teacher inquiry or action research groups, examining teaching practice, and curriculum questions • social justice associates, linking with community coalitions to sponsor regional/local social issues events.

Booking criteria for workshops

• booked through the Professional and Social Issues Division • facilitated by BCTF facilitators who are classroom teachers • require at least three weeks’ advance notice • for groups of 15 to 30 (special circumstances and small schools exempted) • for intact teacher groups, school staffs, etc.

For in-person workshops, preference is given to workshops that are three to five hours in length. Some workshops cannot be presented in less than five hours.

Workshops require no honorarium as the BCTF covers the costs for the facilitator. The organizing local or school is responsible for facilities and supplies.

Criteria for PD days or conferences

• no more than five BCTF-led workshops may be presented on a PD day • preregistration is preferred, with cancellation two weeks in advance if the workshop is undersubscribed • minimum length of in-person workshops is two to three hours each (a few workshops are five hours in length). • virtual workshops are 90 minutes to three hours each

Booking process

1. The workshop organizer contacts the BCTF to book the workshop or completes the request form on the

BCTF website.

2. PSID Training Department (Christine Choinski or Ashley Gurat) contacts facilitators by email to see who is available, with a geographic match where possible.

3. Workshops are confirmed by email to the organizer and the facilitator. PSID emails the facilitator a copy of the confirmation, the workshop material (including participant’s handout and feedback forms), a facilitator feedback form, and an expense voucher.

4. Responsibilities of facilitators:

a. Confirm the workshop details with the organizer • date and location • start and end time, lunch, and break times • room location and set-up (theatre, classroom, boardroom) • equipment (computer, projector, flip chart, felt pens, masking tape, etc.) • number of participants, composition of group • what, if anything, participants should bring • consider asking the organizer the following questions: o how was the topic chosen? o who had input? o what was the process? o what focus would you like the workshop to have? o are there specific issues that you would like addressed? o who is the audience? o does the audience have any prior experience in this area? o what skills do they bring? o what kind of group is this in terms of interest, collegiality, etc.? o has any follow-up been contemplated? o any other relevant information?

b. Leave of absence (LOA), if required

Ask PSID support staff to prepare a LOA, with time for travel if necessary. Arrange for a teacher teaching on call. A copy of the LOA will be sent to you, your principal, and superintendent.

c. Workshop materials

Facilitators should be in contact with the organizer to ensure that there are sufficient copies of the participant handouts and feedback forms. If this is not possible, facilitators can either make the copies themselves, or contact the booking staff at the BCTF to do this. Photocopying and consumable supplies costs can be added on your expense voucher (not to exceed $60 without prior clearance from PSID staff. Receipts for these expenses are required). All BCTF workshop materials have received copyright approval. Do not use materials from external sources that have not been processed by the BCTF. (Please see “Copyright Guidelines” at the end of this document.)

Prior to/after the workshop Prior to

• Send a brief agenda and summary of requirements to the workshop organizer. • Check LOA arrangements and travel arrangements.

• Two weeks prior to the workshop, confirm with organizer the minimum number of registrants (15). If fewer than 15 participants, contact the PSID support staff to determine whether or not to proceed.

The day of

• Arrive 30 minutes early and set up. • Check audio-visual requirements. • Introduce yourself as a BCTF facilitator and the workshop as a BCTF service paid for by members’ union dues. • After the workshop is over, distribute and collect participant feedback forms.

After

Review that the participant feedback forms have been completed, fill out a facilitator feedback form, and send these and your expense voucher to PSID support staff.

5. Emergency procedures

In the event of an emergency (flight problems, illness, etc.), contact PSID support staff Christine Choinskis, cchoinski@bctf.ca, immediately at: 604-871-1860, toll-free 1-800-663-9163, local 1860.

If a problem occurs after business hours, use your judgement regarding booking accommodation, etc. To contact W.E. Travel call 1-800-663-4703.