Introduction

Executive Summary

Genesis/Planning

Components

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned

Submitted Lessons Learned | General FAQ's | Technical FAQ's | Submit a Lesson Learned or FAQ

As the Chamber conducted its Public Service Candidate School, we compiled a list entitled Lessons Learned. These are tips that will make it easier for you to conduct a candidate school. We hope you find them useful. We would also like to hear your "lessons learned" and any questions you may have.

At the end of this section, we have included a form so you can fill out to submit lessons you may have learned as you conduct your own school. You can also post questions you may have as you are planning your school.

Build a strong planning committee:

• Select members who can make community links, willing to volunteer for tasks and will follow through with commitments.
• As the coordinator you need to be able to delegate tasks. This project is more than what one person can do alone.
• Take time to establish goals, objectives and outcomes for the series.
• Identify resources in support of the project.
• Include all committee members in the decision making process.
• All committee members should have a role in planning, contacting speakers and participating in the event.
• Monitor performance. Praise committee involvement on a regular basis. Keep them excited about their roles.
• Send meeting minutes to keep everyone up to date with the planning process.
• Rotate roles for committee members at the workshops: facilitator, timekeeper, greeter, and note taker.

Session Details:

• Greet and welcome participants when they enter the room.
• Have a sign in sheet and request everyone to sign in. To make people feel comfortable, announce to participants that it will not be distributed or share with other organizations. *Please note, if you do have an arrangement for college credit this may not apply.
• When starting the program have an announcement section to cover housekeeping details such as rest room and pay phone locations, break times, snacks.
• Create a participant packet for everyone. This should include a program agenda, a list of speakers with their titles, bio information and address, phone, etc., an evaluation form and registration form.
• Distribute speaker's handouts during the speaker's presentation. We recommend not passing them prior to their presentation. People tend to read the material and may not pay close attention to the presentation. This could detract the speaker's presentation.
• Schedule breaks for session participants between speakers and panels. We scheduled a break on each hour.
• Have a facilitator introduce the speaker or panel members and monitor the question & answer session with the participants. Facilitator should also keep track of time so the program moves along.
• The Facilitator should also keep track of time so the program moves along in a timely fashion. A timekeeper with flash cards to indicate to speakers that they have five, two and one minute to end their presentation is also very helpful.
• As the facilitator, always keep your personal bias and opinions out of the discussion and or presentations.
• Be respectful to all participants and presenters no matter how you may personally feel.
• If a participant would like to ask more questions than time permits during the session, suggest that person speak one on one with that panel member or speaker at break time or at the end of the session. Also remind participants that a list of speakers is included if they wish to contact them at a later date.
• Have snacks available such as cookies and fruit, soda pop and coffee.
• Make table tents for speaker and/or panel members so session participants can direct questions to them directly.
• Provide public praise for committee members and for sponsors of the candidate school. A letter to your local newspaper after the event is a great way to say "thanks".

Speakers/Panel Members:

• Distribute program agenda and information ahead of time (fax or mail). Call and follow-up to make sure each speaker or panel member received the information. The phone call also serves as a friendly reminder to confirm their attendance.
• Ask if any audio visual or computer equipment is needed (i.e. power point presentations, overheads, etc.). Arrange for the equipment to be on site for the session.
• Request speaker/panel members to stay for a few minutes after their presentation or through a break to talk with participants.
• Be sure to request that panel members arrive at least 20 minutes prior to there scheduled time to present. This gives them time to get ready and you time to adjust in case they do not show.
• For panel discussions we asked panel members to introduce themselves, elected or current position (whether public service or professional) and background information on the topic being discussed (2-3 minutes).
• With our elected official (past & current) panel members, we asked them to describe their biggest "challenge' as an elected official and their most "rewarding" experience as an elected official. Always end on a positive note.
• Have prepared questions for panel members as back up in case session participants do not have or ask questions right away.
• Remember the Boy Scout motto "Be prepared".

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