March is always an exciting time around Parks, Recreation and Culture. Why, you ask? Simple…there’s a shiny new Activity Guide! And with it comes a whole host of new programs.
One of the best parts of releasing a new Activity Guide is hearing your feedback, both from your registration choices (what you do/don’t sign up for) and from the questions and comments we receive in person and online. It’s always interesting stuff!
One of the most common questions when a new Activity Guide is released is: “How can I offer a class with Parks, Recreation and Culture?” Let me walk you through it.
First, develop a clear idea and purpose for the class. If you wanted to teach sewing, for example, consider the skills you might teach, how much time you might need, and if/what a final project might be. This is actually the most important part of creating a successful program because if you don’t have a clear idea and purpose for the class, potential participants won’t know what it’s all about and likely won’t sign up.
Once your idea is ready, head over to our website and download the program proposal form. You’ll see we’ve included a Frequently Asked Questions section to assist you. Read through everything and then fill out the form. If you still have questions, feel free to give me a call.
Helpful Hints:
- Attach your resume and any other supporting documents (certifications, etc…) when you hand in your proposal.
- Check the deadlines at the bottom of the form, and hand in your package on time. While we accept proposals year round, we only evaluate them twice a year. Missing the closest deadline means your proposal won’t be considered for another 6 months.
- Don’t get too caught up in details like times, number of participants, pricing, and remuneration. If your program is selected, you’ll talk about all of those things in depth with a program coordinator. At the proposal stage, we just need the gist!
If you can believe it, we’re already accepting program proposals for our Fall 2013/Winter 2014 Activity Guide. The next deadline is May 10th 2013, so start the brainstorming process…and good luck!
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Megan Lum is a Recreation Coordinator with Parks, Recreation and Culture. She started her career with this department as a Leader in Training (LIT) and Quest volunteer before pursuing a degree in Recreation and Health Education at the University of Victoria. In her spare time she runs, reads, and (attempts to) play hockey. She’s also a professional magician’s assistant.
