How to Train a Leader Reflection Pt#4

There is just so much to know about being a Den Leader that it can really be daunting.   I so wish I was a Vulcan and could Mind-Meld with the incoming Den Leader.  One of the better sites, though a tad outdated in some of it’s listed requirements of Training, from Merit Badge.org.  This is outside the Planning Guides for the Pack & Den for lesson plans.

As it really stands now, the BSA considers the Den Leaders & Cubmaster as Direct Contact Leaders.  Not the Committee or Committee Chair. They need training.  Youth Protection Training is a fact and you cannot be a Leader without it.   This training is all about how to put on a program for the youth.  Right now, all online training will in the eyes of the BSA, will cover you to be considered “Trained” for your position.  There is no BALOO or OWLS online.  Training online is good for only one thing.  Getting some information to the person who needs it.  It is really just a basic introduction to Scouting.  Real Training needs to be in front of a skilled Scouter Trainer.  Someone who knows the position and has been through the fire.

Training is also ongoing.  Do you want a surgeon operating on you that has skills from when they graduated in 1975?  NO!  You want the latest info crammed into their head!  Same for Scouting.  On going training is University of Scouting, BALOO, OWLS and even Nap on Safely!

I have basically taken all the training that there is for Cubscout Leaders.  I have also taken First Aid, AED & CPR training from the Red Cross and recertified!  I also took Wilderness First Aid.  Now THAT is a very fun class!  I would suggest the Red Cross version over the WMI version only because it is $100 cheaper!

As part of my goal as Cubmaster, I worked to get my Den Leaders and Committee Members “TRAINED!”  They are, basically.  A few have taken it upon themselves to go to the University of Scouting for the past few years.  EVERYONE NEEDS TO GO!

That to me along with not getting people to BALOO & OWLS (outside my one Webelos II Den Leader who crossed over last year) was a big failure for me.   I generally believe that the Den Leaders are great people.  They DO their Best!  Between Family, Work, Scouts, Scout related meetings/outings and sports, they just were crunched for time.   As I have said, some made it.

The new Cubmaster is right now in the middle of the W1-492-13 Wood Badge Course.  To which, I think the program will greatly benefit from.  I am very happy that she is going.  The Pack is paying for her to go.  I paid for myself.

My hope for this Pack is that more Adult Leaders take In-Person Training.  That they take BALOO and OWLS.  That they all go to U of Scouting.

Up Next is “What I tell the New Den Leaders!”

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Knot Again

  There are several posts and threads on many different forums on the Internet about Knots.  I most recently wrote one in July of 2012.  That post and ones linked to it talked about how the Boy Scouts of America have discontinued and replaced a lot of the Cubscout Program based Knots.

Many of us do things within Scouting for the Youth and do not expect to be rewarded publicly for our service.  Some of us are grateful for knots and wearing them in pride.

I am proud to wear the knots that I have.  They are the Tiger Den Leader Knot, The Cubmaster Knot and the Unit Leader of Merit Knot.  I did buy the James E. West Knot.  At this last Roundtable I got the Cubscouter Award Knot.  Each Knot holds something for me.

The Tiger Den Leader Knot reminds me that I made it through the Tiger year.  It’s a baptism of fire for me.  I really did not have a clue as to what I was doing, but made it through and provided the boys a lot of fun.

The Cubmaster Knot is one that made me aware of my responsibility to the Pack.  The Cubmaster is in charge of the Program and direction of the Pack.  It is its own Wood Badge ticket in of itself.  Through that Knot, the Pack now has a successful Summertime Pack Program and has accomplished two Quality Unit Awards and two Gold Journey to Excellence Awards.

The James E West Knot means that I have helped future Scouts that outside of my view to enjoy Scouting.
The Cubscouter Knot is the Cubmaster Knot extended.  I kept doing what I was supposed to do.  It kept me on task within the Pack.
The Unit Leader of Merit.  This means a lot to me.  It means that the Committee and Leaders thought I was doing my job.  This knot is the culmination of all the others.

I have learned a lot about Cubscouts and Scouting during my five years within the Program.  These Knots help tell the story of my journey within Scouting and how the Scouts in the Pack had fun.

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Commissioner Training

  March 16th was the Cascade Pacific Council’s Commissioner’s College.  I love training and for $10 I got a patch and lunch to boot!  I am not a Commissioner, but I went anyway.  I went to this training for several reasons.  First, I love learning new things.  Second, I am thinking about my next career within Scouting. Finally, I know nothing about what it is like to be a Commissioner and this is a group of people who I have not really interacted with yet.

This Commissioner’s College had a class that was not always offered.  It is the Roundtable Commissioner Basic Course.  This is good timing since there is a recent change from National about the Roundtable Staff.  Read the link to better understand the changes.  What I know is apparently in Cascade Pacific, we have done this for a while for the Staff positions.  Yeah Us!

I took this class because it seems that everyone gripes about how lame Roundtable is and was.  Albeit, not all Roundtables are boring, but they so can be.  Getting people to Roundtable for their breakout is pretty hard.  There are various reasons.  Single Parent, Employment, Family, Unit Meetings, Committee Meetings on same night and no perceived value.  The above mentioned website for changes has the 11 recommendations.  All of which could and can work.

The two great things really that came out of this day long training for Roundtable was first,the sharing of ideas and issues.  Secondly, I realized that while every District does something a bit different, we all had the same issue.  Providing a program that would attract more people.   Out of 13 Districts within the Council, only 4-5 were represented.  None of my District’s Roundtable people where there.  In fact, the ADC and a UC were the other only ones in attendance overall.  It was my thought that someone from Roundtable should have been there from each District.

I learned a lot of great things to do at Roundtable.  I wish our District would carry out 10% of them.  I learned that it’s all about the PROGRAM.  Each Scout Program is responsible for the activities.  With that, the Programming comes from the Cascade Pacific Roundtable Commissioner’s meeting each month.  The Boyscout Roundtable Commissioner is new by two months.  He is awesome.  I learned so much from him.  The Cubscout Roundtable Commissioner’s are well established and have monthly CPCBSA Webminars if your unable to drive 2 hours one way to Portland.  I have just learned about these, so I will update later.  I am thinking that they are a long the same lines as Scoutcircle.org.  The CPCBSA seminar’s seem to be hosted on Google.com, but I am wondering if they use Google+.   So, I am excited about this.  These meetings are open to any and all…;)

I have always taken something away from every course that I go to.  The Roundtable Commissioner Course was great.  A lot of basic info, but a lot of networking, finding new resources and other hidden gems.

I also realized, that any training is good training.  The training might be really bad and you learned nothing of value, but you realize that you’re doing it right.  The training might also be an eye opener making you realize your on the wrong path and you make corrections right then.  Finally, it might be training you might have already taken years before.  But you take it and realize there are new and different ways and even information to help you.  Again, take training.   I did, and I learned.

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Voice of the Scout

The Voice of the Scout has been out for a while, and I am just now getting to read it. The summary is here. Not sure how that happened.   In reading these, specifically the summary, I agree with a lot of it.

As it relates to the Scout Unit directly you see this:

“• Youth/Scouts overwhelmingly enjoy their experience, citing it is fun, life skills
learned are very valuable and activities are of interest. However, the way in
which the program is delivered is not consistently hitting the mark. The two
themes are meetings are boring and unit leadership is not strong. More great
outdoor activities is a strong request by a majority of respondents.

• Parents echo their sons’ sentiments: Scouting is a critical part of developing
character, but the meetings are not always a good use of time. Parents’
number one area for improvement is better trained adult leaders.

As part of the Cubscout Program you see this: “Needs Improvement: It’s Too Boring: There are numerous negative comments (boring, not fun) scattered throughout the Cub Scout responses in the context of meetings, gatherings, and experience. In the case of Detractor experiences, about 90 percent of those who commented were negative, specifically citing boring and not fun.”

For Training of Adult Leaders: “Training – more opportunities, relevant and improved – was suggested by the Volunteer segments.”

So, what can you and I do to help turn the tide?   For me, there are two things.

First, get more involved if you can.  I am not saying become the Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Coach, Advisor or Skipper or some big position leader.  If you are a subject matter expert (SMB) then offer your support there.   For the most part the Cub Scout program is the only Adult led program.   The rest of the programs are supposed to be youth-led.

Two points about any of the programs.  Listen to the youth.  We adults are there for them, not us!  If your in Scouting for yourself, you will fail.  When I went through Wood Badge in 2009, a comment that heard and understood was “Ask them what they want.”  It’s their program, they just do not know what or how to do stuff. As Adult Leaders we are charged with providing the program, helping them advance and learn as they do.

All other program we are there to using “guided discovery”.   This is their time to fail and learn.  Failure is generally not an option, but that’s in a life or death situation.  Within Scouting, we learn what not to do the next time.  Which, maybe part of the “waste of time”  or “boring” comments.  People get frustrated if they do not see around the issue.  But, this is the second point. We are using guided discovery with the Scouts to help them find what worked and what failed.  It is the same we would hopefully do within a Lean Six Sigma Master Blackbelt project at work.

Training and Improvement of Leaders.

The Scouters who are in the program, working with the Scouts need to understand what they are providing.  An Eagle Scout is really only as good as where he comes from.  Yes, a Troop and/or a Scouter can severely hamper the advancement of the Scout.  It is also true with those within the Cub Scout level.  The Cub Scout Leaders put on the program.  Den Leaders have a lot more interaction with a Cub Scout than a Cubmaster.  That being the case, each Adult Leader needs to avail themselves to good quality training.

Online training is good for just the basic’s.  IE: If your Cardiologist got a C in Medical School, you might look elsewhere.  You want the person who has the A or very close to it.  That’s online training.   Seek out good face to face training within the District or Council.  You do not have Tigers Scouts using a video to learn how to do a leaf rubbing?  No, you get construction paper, crayons and go for a hike in the neighborhood park to find them.  You look for different leaves.  You talk about each tree and what’s special about it.

Hence, the face to face training, even if it’s “Leader Specific Training” will have more information about that position than you will get from online.

Continued Training: Go to the University of Scouting/Pow-wow/Program & Training Conferences.  Go to the Commissioner Colleges and BALOO, OWLS & IOLS.  Take First Aid, CPR & AED.  Take Wilderness First Aid, even if you’re not going to Philmont.   Take classes on sewing, Geocaching, snowshoeing, cooking classes and other things that have nothing to do with Scouting. Heck, go to the Apple Store and learn iPhone, iMovie and how to create a database.  You can use these within the Scout Unit.  Being well-rounded within Scouting will serve you and the Scout Unit well.  It is what we talk about to the Scouts in what Beltloop/Merit Badge to take/learn.  We need to do the same.

Taking what you know and applying it to the Scout Unit will only enhance the fun that everyone has.

Here’s the but: The District/Council needs to give people who are very knowledgeable about the subject they teach.  Boring presentations will stop people from coming to a training.  You will get people looking outside the District and Council for training.  I know….I was and am that person.  I took on the Training Chair position one and half years ago so I can help make a difference.

Do your best, make the program, unit and position you’re in the best you can.  Encourage others to do the same.  If we do this together, we can turn this next Voice of the Scout in with better results.

If you have not participated within the Voice of the Scout, check with your Unit Commissioner and/or your District Exec to make sure the email address that is in Scoutnet, is the correct one.  Mine wasn’t and I got it changed!

Yours in Scouting.

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Cascade Pacific Program & Training 2012

  November 3rd 2012 was the Cascade Pacific Council’s annual Training Conference.  We call it Program & Training Conference.   I started going to this in 2009.  I should have in 2008, but I did not what know what it was or why I should go.  I went in 2009 as part of my Wood Badge Ticket, taught in 2010 and 2011.  Each year I learn something new.  This year was no different.

I taught alongside, again, with Jerry Schleining a fellow Beaver for the Social Media class.  Having us two in the same room together, is dangerous.  We giggle too much.  Even when Old Yeller gets shot.. (inside joke).  Here are the slides for the class. PTC CPCBSA Social Media Class 2012.  Our basic theme was, tell your Journey of Scouting using the Scout Oath & Law.

I also took the Advanced Autism class that was hosted by John and Karen Krejcha of Scouting & Autism Group.  They also run the Autism Empowerment Non-Profit Group out of Vancouver, WA.   John and Karen were awesome.  I still have to go through my notebook that they handed out and read it all.  I learned several things.  Stimming is what people do on the spectrum to help comfort themselves.  I never knew that name.  But I knew what “Have a Fidget” was.  Just knowing or having been told that in public made me remember what Elliot does and what it annoys me to no end.

The second and more powerful thing was “Get into THEIR World!”  I just do not do that with Elliot enough.  I try to spend time with him and his sister, but I am not sure if I “Get into THEIR World!”

I told John later, that I would have liked to have heard more about Advancement within Scouting.  He said he is working on that.  What I did hear, is that there is a ISAP (just like an IEP) for Scouting.  Tony Mei from the BSA National Office who is on the Special Needs Committee was also there.  He had good insight on a few items and I did get to met him.  Incredibly great guy.

  I also got to hear Mike Walton speak.  Yes, he came from Tennessee via Phoenix to drink our coffee and experience the rain.  He is but one of several volunteer Scouter’s who is behind the US Scouting Service Project.  The great thing about having OUTSIDE Guest Speakers at a local Council Event is seeing what others think about Scouting.  We as Scouter’s can become so isolated within our own Scout Unit, District & Council that we forget that SCOUTING IS WORLD WIDE!  We are not alone.

While I sat in the class and learned more about what the BSA is doing, I was able to continue the conversation at the Staff Dinner and even long into the night with him and a fellow Beaver.   I learned a lot about Scouting.

Finally, I took a Board of Review Class from a fellow Pioneer District Scouter.  She taught the  Merit Badge Counselor class at our District Training event last weekend.   Since I am crossing over with Elliot in March 2013, I know I will want to give to the Troop.  So, I took this class.  I have taken the “How to Chair an Eagle Board class” but this gets into the Troop versions.  A lot of it is very similar, but wow, Troops do things very differently.  Misconceptions are rampant.  We had a conversation the other day at the Scout Shop and I confirmed that I want this class coupled with the MBC Class to be taught at our Training Days!

The other great thing that happened was I got to see a Scouter who would have stayed in the Pack, but due to school boundaries his son had to go to another school.  He was there taking a lot of classes on how to run a basic Pack/Den Meetings and to hold ceremonies!  I was very happy to see him.  Since I was talking to Matt Devore, I introduced each other and to  a fellow a Beaver.  I was excited to see him there.  His son is doing great in the Den & Pack as well.

Overall, a successful Saturday!

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Trained Leaders

  Someone once said (He’s seated in the middle) that every Scout deserves a trained Leader.  So true.

This weekend in the Pioneer District in Cascade Pacific Council, eight adults got trained in Scoutmaster Essentials, another nine got certified for Merit Badge Councilors, seven Charter Org Representatives also were trained and one Den Mother had a two on one training.  Also two for Hazardous Weather!

As Training Chair, I find this as an overall success.  The lead-up with registration emails had 3 SM trainees, 5 for Cubscouts, 3-4 for Merit Badge and none for the rest.

Pioneer has three signed up for ITOLS over the Nov 3-4th weekend already.

My fellow Scouters in the neighboring District actually pulled off a great training.  They put on for the Cubscout Leaders.  The put on a Den Meeting, Pack Meeting and then trained for each position sans Youth Protection.   They had about eight Cubscout Leaders.  Which, were new to the program. Again, great success.

Two things happened over this Training event and a Top Team Meeting with Council.

First, a lady from a Special Needs Troop in the District got information about the training within the upcoming Program & Training Conference 2012 within the Council.  I talked to her about being on the Spectrum and referenced this training and the Scouting and Autism Group.  I told her about my friend who heads up this group and that Tony Mei from BSA National will be there talking.  I urged her and others to go.  It’s on her radar now.  Training happens to get the word out.

Secondly: At Top Team there is a lot of talk about changing how Training happens and Mandatory Training.    While nothing if firmed up just yet, it looks like the Cubscout Leaders are going to be first on Mandatory Training.  Several reasons for this.  Mainly is, if these Leaders who are first into Scouting get the understanding that Training is needed, they will get it and once they move onto another Program, they will seek out training.  The other fact is, Cubscout Leaders affect not only how the Scouts join and stay within Scouting, but it also keeps them and the other Parents in as well.  Cubscout Leaders have great affect on the delivery of the Program.

Third: Training….Council is wanting training to happen year round and not just having a District do the same training over and over again.  It might be that one district does one training, and everyone goes to that.  Then another district does a different one.  So it rotates around.  Plus, it could be joined Districts putting on Training.

Training is essential to the Scouts, it helps them advance in rank, but also as people.  Training for Scout Leaders is essential, because they affect the Scouts and program.

You would not want a Doctor to operate on you if they only took ONLINE Training while they surfed Facebook and answered the questions after surfing…. You want their full attention so they don’t overlook an issue that could affect your life.

Training is needed.  Take the time to learn and find learning.  I know that coming to this weekend’s training really paid off for one Mom, her son and now Troop.

Source of Picture is found here.  I had never seen a photo of the 1st Wood Badge in 1919.

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A Trained Leader

My never-ending quest for knowledge has not ended.  While I am not in the Boy Scout program, I will be after March 23rd 2013.  I took the Eagle Board Chair class today (9/22/12) to better aquaint myself with how not only a Board of Review operates, but how an Eagle Board of Review.   I went in with no clue or first hand knowledge on how it.  The only information that I had from what I have read online and in my virtual internet roundtable with those in #ScoutNation.

I took the Merit Badge Councilor training this January as well.  All of these trainings are great.  I implore you no matter what position you are in or what organization you are (Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts) in or even what country.  It is worth the time and effort since it will help your program, your unit and yourself.

Along with this training, I have done some of my required training for Girl Scout Leader.  While I have just gotten into it, it feels like I am a Tiger Den Leader for the first time.   There is a lot of things being thrown at me.  Lots of surfing and reading and asking questions.

Again, I know that Training for the program is needed.  It helps you give the best fun and learning for those who you lead.

Take the time. Get Trained.

Which, on the flipside, if you provide training, please please please provide good information that does not make people’s butts numb.   The training today was NOT THAT AT ALL.  The Pace was great and information shared just the same.

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Trained Tactical Scouters

Tactical Scouters:  Combat troops, together with any service troops required for their direct support, who are organized under one commander to operate as a unit and engage the enemy in combat.In the Scouting world this would translate to: Scouters who together and  who are trained for their position within their Scout Units are organized under guiding principle to help build character, leadership and to offer a quality WOSM based program to the youth they serve before, during and after each Scout Event and Meeting.

So, why this title and posting?  Over the past couple of days I have been on a Training kick within Scouting and also at work. I also got involved in a small discussion on the Scouts Canada Facebook page.  They let me in there and I generally lurk about, eh.  We all follow Baden-Powell and like to wear Uniforms, use Dutch Ovens, like bacon a lot and sing really badly.  Oh, and then remember it’s for the Boys (or Youth in SA’s case)!  But one thing we have in common is training and why we should take it and why we should not be required to take it.

I am think that training should be taken.  Yes, I have taken BAD training that I really have never used.  But, that was on the clock, so I did get something out of it! Yes, I have sat through boring Scout training too.  Ugh.

So, I got excited as only a Trainer would be when the LDS came out with an updated document on LDS and Scouting.  This page also talks a lot about how Training is supposed to happen within the LDS.  Ok, I am not LDS and I know very little about it.  I know as much about it as I do being Jewish, Catholic or Hindu.

Now, what I really like is how the LDS Church looks towards training.  Being the Charter Org, this document has it right.  Now, each position is a Calling within the LDS. It’s an honor to be Called for a position.  The LDS even go so far to say, they will pay for any training and that Roundtable is a Good Thing!  There is even a LDS Cubscout Den Leader PDF Training off the Scouting.org site.

So why all the excitement about LDS?  I am not LDS….  Well, here is why.  The LDS have put Scouting as part of their mission to help their Youth.  Working with their program and the BSA’s there is good documentation and processes to help them offer a quality program.  As District Training Chair, I need to know when there is a difference so I can give them the correct information.

Which in the end will help me offer a better program to the Youth I serve.

Ok, so you might feel like, what’s up with the Tactical part of the title of this posting.  As Trainer’s we are charged with providing good information to the Scouter’s who will guide the Youth.  We support them with quality training, quality answers & information for what is needed.  Every Scouter is a Trainer to the Youth.  So, it is incumbant of each Scouter to Be Prepared for the meetings, outings and events that we go to or put on.

We are all in this together.  We are all Trained Tactical Scouters in support of each other for the Youth.

Get Trained.

Links:
Adult Training on Scouting.org
Training Team on Scouting.org (off to the right hand side is a link to the Training Times. It’s where the BSA National Training Team communicates to Everyone! They are on Facebook too!)
Other Adult Training Info on Scouting.org
Publications of most every document and/or Book the BSA has printed. Even ones for sale at the Scoutshop! (Download these and put on your Laptop/iPad/Tablet/iPhone or whatever you use. This is a great resource and cuts down on paper & 3-ring binders/books to carry!)

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Trainer’s EDGE

   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.

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Thoughts on District Training

  As the Pioneer District Training Chair, it’s my duty to fullfill the “Every boy deserves a Trained Leader” part.  It’s my duty to offer training that is needed or that I see needed within the District. I  have always thought, WHY CANCEL, a training.  A Scouter friend of mine out in Southern Ohio who is a Program Chair has the same thoughts along the line of canceling courses.  However, in this case it’s not because there isn’t enough.  Say, class needs 10 and only 7 sign-up.  Wood Badge needs 30 or the course is canceled, so I get that.  The past several years our Council’s Wood Badge has been full at 56.

The photo is during the W1-492-11 Wood Badge course.  It was during the first presentation/talk that I gave as Troop Guide to the very awesome BOBWHITE Patrol! You will notice that I have both thumbs up!  It’s because they ROCK!

So, at this first of the year training for Pioneer, I have put together the normal Cubscout Specifics, Boyscout Specifics training.  I also put on for the first time, Merit Badge Counselor, Charter Org Rep & District Committee trainings.

I have more sign-ups for the MBC & District.  COR has one and CS/BS have none.  I have interest from other Districts.  I even had a LDS Stake President call me directly.  Talk about a calling..(FYI: I am not LDS)  I think that is HUGE!

So, I have just sent out an email to all the COR/CC/SM/CM letting them know that the two CS/BS classes will be canceled due to sign-ups at COB on Monday.  I had let my thoughts be known to the DE & District Chair as well as the Program Chair.  Which, they agree and understand.

I have directed the District Commissioner & the Commissioner Corp to reach out to each COR and explain the training date & invite them.  It’s their job to do that.  It will put a contact in the system for them.  If they all come to the training, including the Unit Commissioners they will build up a bond and or strengthen it.

Overall, I do not like canceling.  But, I do not want to waste the Trainer’s time either.  I am not disheartened and I will schedule more and sooner.

I did get feedback for Den Chief & Troop Committee Trainings to put on.  I have also contacted the Council Training Chair and asked for assistance in putting on a BALOO & OWLS course.  Either for all the Cubscout Trainers so we can take it back to the Districts or hold one Council wide.  I am also aware of our Council’s Trainer’s Edge course that is coming up soon.  It’s basically for the Wood Badge Staff who have not taken it.  I got a mini version since I went to Maui during that time.  I will be telling those who have not taken Trainer’s Edge in the past three years to go.  Which, if you follow the Training Times from National, a lot of training requirements have changed.  They do have a Facebook page as well.

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