July, 2000 - Vol. XXIX No. 2
Continuing Education: Some Ways and Some Means

"Confessions of a Conference Junkie:
or Why I Go to a Conference"
by The Rev. Canon Jack L. Hilyard

    I love conferences and workshops. I enjoy learning – especially making the choices about what I want to learn. I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends. I love the adventure of it all.

    With each flyer that comes to the house I wonder, "Oh! Wouldn’t that be fun; do you suppose I could go?" Right now there are three flyers on my desk and I am wondering if I can go to all of them. Now that I am technically "retired" that wondering has changed just a bit – "Wouldn’t my friend John or Sue, or Larry enjoy that workshop?" So I sometimes send them the flyer; it is a wonderful excuse for a real letter in this age of e-mails.

    Over the years I have learned some things about conference flyers:

• Don’t throw them away unexamined. Hold on to them at least 24 hours – preferably a week. If you do, your imagination will go to work and you might envision yourself at the conference having a great time, learning new things and meeting new people. A part of the decision whether to attend is to think of the benefits to yourself, your family, your ministry, or to your congregation. Does the flyer tell you how that might happen?
  
• Sometimes the flyers don’t tell the whole story. What’s the purpose? What is promised? What’s the time frame? How do these fit your needs? You may have to explore these a bit more. Talk it over with a friend; your friend may help you see yourself there. That’s the first part of the decision.
  
• What are the learning opportunities? New learning is always exciting – stretching our minds and seeing new possibilities. What is your learning style? How do you learn best? Many conferences today are moving away from lectures by "keynoters" and are based on peers teaching peers. What is the style of this conference? Sometimes it is helpful to set some learning goals for yourself. I believe we learn best when we go after the resources to learn: look for the particular teacher, topic, book or workshop that fits your needs. How might this conference fit you?
  
• Does the conference or workshop offer credit or CEUs? Most professions have some kind guidelines about continuing education to keep a license. Even though most of us in church work don’t have the requirement it is a good idea. However, some denominations do have requirements for annual training to remain a Sunday School teacher. I do believe just to keep "alive" it is important to do something educational once a year at a minimum.
  
• What is the total cost? Does the conference fee include room & board? What about travel? Can you drive? Will you have to fly? Does the conference have an arrangement with an airline for reduced fares? Is that the best fare you can get? Even though there are several questions about costs, don’t let money be the hindrance. Often there are education funds in a parish or diocese that might be tapped. If you are working in a local church ask about continuing education funds in budgets or through a parish organization. Clergy may have discretionary funds, may know about scholarships or a parishioner who is willing to help. I have often worked my way – offering a class or workshop that covered some of the fees and sometimes transportation. Perhaps the conference sponsors have some work/study opportunities.
  
  

    Sometimes the first conference opportunity may be in the church down the street or in the next town. Christian ed folks are generally excited about sharing information, ideas, teaching tips and often put on workshops for one another. Most judicatories are concerned about how new information and ideas can benefit the local level – so conference plans are made with local folks in mind.

    Sometimes it is scary to travel to a distant city alone (especially if this is a national conference), so think about going with someone – two or more from the same church or the same diocese can bring back a lot more benefits. If you are a part of a team think about attending different workshops and do some planning about what you can bring home to share with others. Plan some ways to share the new ideas – write a summary or an article, or plan a seminar or workshop to share the new ideas. Writing a summary will help you reinforce the new ideas and it will help you to think about ways to put those new ideas into practice. Especially if you have had some financial help find ways to share the ideas and excitement with your benefactor.

    Don’t be afraid of national conferences. The same kinds of people are there – just like you. Every church school teacher starts as a volunteer who is motivated by the love of children and the love of learning. Conversations in the workshops and outside will be about curriculum, about teaching strategies, fun projects and new ideas. Some of my best friends are those folks I met at a conference; we were drawn together by good conversations.

    For some of us the bookstore is the draw. We all get a lot of catalogs but there is nothing like picking up the real book and leafing through it. A few words here or there or a paragraph will help us decide whether or not to buy it. Some books you may be able to read there; some you will not. Take a notebook to jot down titles, authors, and publishers so you can order when you get home. You may want to leave room in the suitcase to bring back some of those treasures. Many booksellers will ship books home for you.

    Most conferences have some opportunities for worship. You may learn some new things about the Prayer Book; be open to those. You will learn some new songs. God is in our midst in all that we do.

    Every conference will bring new ideas and new people into your life; offer thanks for those opportunities. It is important to pace yourself. You know who you are and how much you can take in during one day. Don’t get too tired.

    Pick up that flyer again. Imagine yourself at this new place surrounded by some new friends. Doesn’t that sound great? Send in your registration today. You are gonna have a great time – drop me a post card!

Jack is retired from the Bishop’s staff in the Diocese of Oregon, where he served for many years as the Christian Education Officer. Send him an email postcard at jhilyard@uswest.net

© 2001, Diocese of Oregon
updated 05/03/2003 16:16
contact: kylew@diocese-oregon.org