Lesson Two

The Senior rating level at the Professional Development Officer (PDO)
 

Introduction:
In the last lesson we focused on the functional areas and learned the necessary skills to achieve the technician rating level. This level is an intermediate level of the Civil Air Patrol Moral Leadership Officer Program. This level designed to build on the skills previously learned and to continue to expand personal and quality performance as they relate to Civil Air Patrol Chaplin Service.

In this lesson you will learn about planning and coordinating training activities, working with forms, schedule and more about the library publications.   

Position Description:
·      Plan and coordinate CAP senior member education and training activities
·      Establish an activity suspense schedule
·      Publicize professional development training and activities
·      Instruct at training courses
·      Obtain training and materials from outside agencies
·      Administer reviews and examinations
·      Brief new senior members and senior cadets on the Professional Development Program
·      Initiate requests for training waivers and document professional military education (PME) equivalents
·      Prepare correspondence and reports
 
Objectives:

·      Plan and coordinate professional development education and training activities
·      Give a presentation at a professional development

Lesson 1 key term: Planning, training, budget
 
Planning and coordinating a professional development activity:
As a professional development officer should consider the following:
 
Where will the training take place? Short training periods can take place in the unit meeting area. Longer training periods can take place in schools, churches, community centers, military facilities, etc. Make sure to get all of the agreement between the facility and CAP in writing with a signature that verifies conditions of facility use and expectations of the facility manager/owner and CAP. Also consider lodging and meal arrangements for longer courses.
 
How much time does the training take? Familiarize yourself with course contents to have an effective training.
 
What will the instructors need for the training? Be sure to know in advance what materials and equipment are needed to teach the course. If the PDO is teaching their own class, they should read the course materials, watch any videos, and ensure that they have the equipment and supplies available for the students. If the PDO is using other instructors, the PDO should help the instructors prepare for the course.
 
When will the training take place? Make training convenient for members and instructors. Consider how much time preparation and advertisement will take. Allow enough time for potential students to plan their schedules around the training. Also consider the weather and travel conditions for the time of the training and try to have a back-up date in mind. Remember to account for the average travel time of students and instructors. Students will more likely attend training that is easily accessible.
 
Who will do the training? If the training is specifically CAP material, a qualified CAP member should present the material. Sometimes outside agencies may conduct training for CAP. These outside guests need ample time to schedule and prepare for training times. Look for individuals who know content material well, who are interesting, and who are willing to serve. When using individuals from outside of CAP, be sure to give them plenty of notice, explain the goals of the training, offer some guidelines for topics to cover, and give credit where credit is due. Instructors – members or nonmembers – deserve our gratitude and our thanks.
 
How much will the training cost? Prepare a budget. Members pay for most of their training activities, so the PDO should consider costs when choosing locations for the training as well as providing supplies, refreshments, materials, etc. Training that requires members to stay overnight should take place on military installations whenever possible
 
To summarize, this level contains the knowledge, training and shows the performance requirements that PDOs need to attain the senior level successfully.

Instructional activity
Schedule a training activity conducted by a member from the CAP.  Make sure to review all the guidelines on how to plan a successful training activity.

Email your instructor with a report explaining your preparations.

This concludes lesson 2. Now you may take the second assessment or proceed to lesson 3 for the next rating level in the PDO.