On Saturday Feb 18th, I was finally able to get fully trained in “The Trainer’s EDGE“. I was supposed to have it last year for the 2011 Wood Badge course, but I was with my family in Maui.
With all the training/meetings that I had to get ready to be a Troop Guide for Wood Badge, I was certified for the course. It is also one way that I got to this training this year since I told my wife I missed it due to our vacation.
The training itself is valid for three years. Outside of that, it’s valuable training. I mainly took it because I should have last year. I also took it because as the District Training Chair, I should have it. It’s like being fully Trained to be a ScoutMaster. If your going to be IT, you need the training. Now, I can say that I am fully trained for my position.
The other reason I took it is because I can always use this type of feedback on how I present myself and trainings that I do. It’s not just useful within the Scouting world, but also within my Corporate life.
So, what did I learn. I learned that I need to take the conversation from my head, get it onto paper and practice, practice, practice. Then give it to a group before the main presentation and then reflect, modify and practice. What I think is good, isn’t that good in the end.
I gave two presentations during the training. One was about the Training Area and the second was about patches. The latter I had time before class to think up and produce. The first one was given to us during the training. The five minute talk I gave about this subject was better delivered and given than the one I had time to prepare about. That was a great lesson.
I am including the PPT as a PDF so people can see it. I have a lot to do to refine it down. I am actually taking out the National Outdoor Award info from it. Reason being, I am not in Boy Scouts , but in Cub Scouts and know that program a lot better. I am also going to revise what is said on the screen. Less is more and more is not good.
Overall, Trainer’s EDGE is a valuable course and one that should be taken if you find yourself up in front of people. No matter if they are Scouts or non-Scouts.
