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An Orientation Program on Ecological Integrity

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Course Administrator Protocols


Fast Facts

General Questions and Answers

  1. Why does this course have to be delivered to all Parks staff?
  2. Who will receive a summary version of the course?
  3. Who will pay for the delivery of the program?
  4. What will happen if a Local Training member leaves?
  5. What happens if a Field Unit manager does not support the Local Training Team?
  6. Are local case studies essential in Module 4?
  7. Do we have to deliver the course the way it is?
  8. Whom I should contact if I have any problems?
  9. What about support for management buy-in?
  10. Literacy support?
  11. What about suggestions?
  12. What about future courses?

Implementation Questions

  1. Local Implementation Strategy
  2. Course Length
  3. Local Training Team
  4. Accountability
  5. Refunded Costs
  6. Resources for Trainers

General Questions and Answers

1. Why does this course have to be delivered to all Parks staff?

When the Panel on the Ecological Integrity of Canada's National Parks released its report on March 23, 2000, it included in its many recommendations a number of first steps that Parks Canada should take to set a new direction for itself and for Canada's national parks, a direction which puts ecological integrity as a first priority. The same day, Minister Copps announced the implementation of a national orientation program with the objective of developing employee awareness of the principles and practices of ecological integrity as outlined in recommendations 2.4 and 13.1 of the Panel report.

The Minister recommended that all Parks staff should take the course to support long term efforts to implement the full suite of recommendations founds in the Panel Report.

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2. Who will receive a summary version of the course?

The program is relevant for all Parks staff; however, we recognize that a small percentage of Parks staff does not need to attend the full program. A 3 hour summary course that is a combined layout of Modules 1 and 2 is available as an alternative to the full 12 hour course. The following rules apply to the implementation of both courses.

It is expected that all National Parks staff will participate in the complete 12 hour course, including seasonal staff. Staff from National Historic Sites and Historic Canals with no significant land base, Service Centre staff and National Office staff may receive the summary version of the course, with the expectation that, if they want to attend the complete version, this opportunity will be offered to them.

The following is what we propose for the summary version. Once again, we welcome the trainers to customize the course based on their appreciation of their audience.

  1. Reconnect with Parks Canada - Module 1 - (30 minutes)
  2. Is Ecological Integrity a New Concept? - Module 1 (50 minutes)
  3. Comparing Ecosystems to Houses - Module 1 (50 minutes)
  4. Greeting card/T-Shirt/Bumper Sticker activity - Module 2 (30 minutes)
Once again, your appreciation of your clientele will help you to customize the program for the summary version.

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3. Who will pay for the delivery of the program?

The design of this program was sponsored by a national budget. Its
development includes the training material and copies of the Participant's
Workbook.

Implementation is the responsibility of each Field Unit, including salaries of the Local Training Team and staff attending the program. However, we recognize that some Field Units are large and will require help from other Local Training Teams. Also, there are Field Units with many locations spread over considerable distance. We will be able to refund some travel in exceptional situations where trainers must travel long distances to deliver the training. As we have limited funds for this, please use careful judgement when planning travel. Reimbursement for this purpose will be on a case by case basis.

As well, we will refund a portion of the supply costs associated with delivery, to a maximum of $10.00 per participant.

Please have your office pay the amount and submit your jv before the end of
June, 2002.

Send all jvs to Barbara Bowman:
fax: 819-997-3380
mail at 25-4-5 25 Eddy St., Hull, Québec K1A 0M5

The financial code is: 1240-2250-1500-22001-50689-20000757 and the
intra number is 0300.

 

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4. What will happen if a Local Training member leaves?

Each Local Training Team should include a minimum of 3 members. This assignment is for a period of 18 months, so it is possible that some members may have to leave the Team for different reasons. If this happens, the Local Training Team should continue to deliver the course as it can easily be delivered with only 2 trainers. However, this Team may need to recruit new trainers or work with other Local Training Teams. If this happens, we suggest you contact the Project Manager to discuss the situation and the potential options.

There will be some recognition of Local TrainingTeam members who complete the implementation program for their Field Unit over the 18 month period.

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5. What happens if a Field Unit manager does not support the Local Training Team?

Senior managers, Supervisors and Field Unit Superintendents are accountable for the delivery of this program. The Ecological Integrity Strategic Directions Committee (EISDC) members are key players to ensure the success of this initiative, including facilitating the buy-in of managers at the field level. Each Local Training Team must have sufficient time, including preparation time, to deliver the program.

The situation will vary from one location to another, but it is expected that each Local Training Team member will take an average of 5 days to prepare to deliver this program. The time allocated for delivery will depend on the number of courses. A minimum of three Local Training Members per Field Unit will ensure workload is shared between Team members.

The program is designed to be delivered in a flexible manner. Each Local Training Team is responsible for setting up the course schedule and delivery based on operational needs. Local trainers will work in close cooperation with their management team to develop a local implementation strategy. This strategy should demonstrate that a sufficient number of courses will be offered to ensure all Park staff attend the program.

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6. Are local case studies essential in Module 4?

We certainly recognize the learning value of having local case studies for the last segment of the course. However, if there are no potential local case studies, there are examples of case studies listed in the Trainer's Manual.

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7. Do we have to deliver the course the way it is?

In order to ensure that all learners across Canada participate in a standardized fashion, it is necessary that all key messages are delivered and all key objectives are met in a coordinated manner. This is achieved through the delivery of all core activities for each module. However, various groups of learners across the country will have slightly different needs and learning styles. Likewise, you, as a trainer, will have a certain training style. In addition, your site may be facing specific issues that need to be addressed. Therefore, it is important that you tailor the delivery of the activity accordingly. Module 4 can be customized to a specific local issue you face in your own Field Unit.

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8. Whom I should contact if I have any problems?

First step: Talk to your Team leader
Second step: Contact Barbara Bowman, (819) 994-5531.

The management of this national program is the responsibility of the Ecological Integrity Branch of the National Parks Directorate until its completion in September 2002.

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9. What about support for management buy-in?

Senior managers, Supervisors and Field Unit Superintendents are accountable for the delivery of this program. The Ecological Integrity Strategic Directions Committee (EISDC) members are key players to ensure the success of this initiative, including facilitating the buy-in of managers at the field level. Each Local Training Team must have sufficient time, including preparation time, to deliver the program.

The situation will vary from one location to another, but it is expected that each Local Training Team member will take an average of 5 days to prepare to deliver this program. The time allocated for delivery will depend on the number of courses. A minimum of three Local Training Members per Field Unit will ensure workload is shared between Team members.

A memo was sent to each Field Unit in late February with a complete overview of expected outcomes for this program, including the Field Unit Superintendent's responsibility to support implementation at the local level. It included the preparation time for Local Training Team members. In addition, a memo will be sent to all Field Unit Superintendents from the Executive Director from East and West reviewing the value of this initiative and the roles and responsibilities of each Field Unit Superintendent. We expect that each Local Training Team will discuss their local implementation plan with their Field Unit Superintendent. We believe that each Local Training Team will be in a better position to evaluate the scope of the time involved for the implementation of the program for their Field Unit. The National Project Manager is available to discuss specific situations with local managers, if required.

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10. Literacy support?

The course is designed with many participatory learning activities, including discussion between participants, instead of having participants reading or writing in their manual. The principle is that participants can learn from each other in a natural way. The course is composed of various activities, such as looking at visuals to identify EI issues, playing poker, exchanging information in groups, and building a web of life. As trainers, you will know your audience and you may decide to put emphasis on certain activities if you know participants are not comfortable with reading.

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11. What about suggestions?

Some trainers suggested that we provide a list of potential examples on how to engage Parks staff in EI. All suggestions will be posted on the website.

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12. What about future courses?

We know that this training will generate other learning initiatives. But, at this stage of the program, it is premature to discuss their feasibility.

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Implementation Questions

1. Local Implementation Strategy

All Local Training Teams must complete an implementation strategy for their Field Unit based on their understanding of the staff needs and the operational requirements. This document should highlight the implementation framework approved by the Field Unit Superintendant, including the number of courses that will be delivered in Phase 1 and Phase 2 and the implementation parameters:

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2. Course Length

The program is relevant for all Parks staff; however, we recognize that a small percentage of Parks staff does not need to attend the full program, for example, staff working in national historic sites or historic canals with no significant land base. A 3 hour summary course that is a combined layout of Modules 1 and 2 is available as an alternate to the full 12 hour course. The following rules will apply for the implementation of both courses. It is expected that: All National Parks staff will participate in the complete 12 hour course, including seasonal staff; and Staff from National Historic Sites and Historic Canals with no significant land base, Service Centre staff and National Office staff will receive the summary version of the course, with the expectation that, if they want to attend the complete version, this opportunity will be offered to them.

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3. Local Training Team

Each team is composed of an average of 3 members. To assure that pedagogical standards are met, the modules need to be delivered by 2 trainers at a time. With 3 members per team, it will ensure variety in the delivery process and more flexibility in the instance where some trainers can not complete their assignment. Trainers can deliver each module as a team or they can deliver it individually by developing their expertise in one or two specific modules.

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4. Accountability

The program is designed to be delivered in a flexible manner. Each local training team will be responsible for setting up the course delivery schedule based on the operational needs for their Field Unit. This means that local trainers will work in close cooperation with their management team to develop a local implementation strategy.

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5. Refunded Costs

The local implementation strategy should highlight the need for funding if the Local TrainingTeam needs to travel to a remote location to deliver the program. In addition, we will refund some supply costs involved with the delivery of the program. These need to be defined and can not exceed $10.00 per participant for the complete program. All copies of the Participant's Workbook will be provided to the Local Training Team.

Please have your office pay the amount and submit your jv before the end of
June, 2002.

Send all jvs to Barbara Bowman:
fax: 819-997-3380
mail at 25-4-5 25 Eddy St., Hull, Québec K1A 0M5

The financial code is: 1240-2250-1500-22001-50689-20000757 and the
intra number is 0300.

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6. Resources for Trainers

Heritage map: Please let Barbara Bowman know if you need additional copies of the Parks Canada Heritage Areas Map.

Cotton bags: We ordered cotton bags for trainers. Contact Heidi Driessen - Nelson Marketing/4imprint - 800-300-1336 (Windsor, ON). Refer to Parks Canada account #1125896 for small budget totes @2.45 (100+) and #1117524 for large two-toned gusseted tote bag @ $9.99 (100+).

Trainer's Manual and Participant's Workbookl in both official languages: If you require manuals in either official languages or additional copies of the games , please contact Barbara Bowman at (819) 994-5531.

Posters: Please let Barbara Bowman know if you need additional copies of the posters.

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Date this page was last modified on: 02/22/2002