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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

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Professional Development

The Professional Development Committee completed its mandate in November 2008. The creation of Policy EL-12 - Professional Development Administration and refinement of Policy Ends-4.3 resulted from this Committee's comprehensive review of professional development services and member feedback.

Policy EL-12 - Professional Development Administration states:

In the awarding of funds under Ends-4.3, the Executive Director may not:
(1) Fail to ensure that all regions and disciplines have equitable access to the professional development opportunities.
(2) Award grants directly related to a production.
(3) Fail to consult with knowledgeable members in the relevant discipline and/or region when considering disbursement of professional development funds.
(4) Fail to ensure that the vast majority of the funds be allocated to disbursement to members and projects, and not the administration of the project or activity.

Policy Ends-4.3 states:

Members will have financial assistance toward high-quality professional development opportunities, worth at least $60,000 per year, to a maximum of 3% of the previous year’s revenues, consistent with members’ expressed needs, and with an emphasis on opportunities which:
(i) encourage improvement of existing skills and acquisition of new skills; or
(ii) encourage breaking through stereotypes, typecasting, etc.; or
(iii) encourage artistic exploration, experimentation and risk-taking; or
(iv) increase member ability to take advantage of work opportunities; or
(v) increase member profiles in the community; or
(vi) encourage collegiality and strengthen the professional live performance community.

Executive Director statement:

As a result of a re-examination of Equity's Professional Development Policy, informed by the results of the Membership Survey and consultation with the CPAGs across the country, Council has reviewed and modified the applicable Ends and Executive Limitation polices.
Policy EL-12 - Professional Development Administration is somewhat more wide ranging in its scope while still mandating that all regions and disciplines have access to opportunities. Further, the Policy states that funds may not be awarded directly related to a production. As before, consultation with knowledgeable members in the relevant discipline and/or region will be taken when reviewing proposals. I have interpreted "professional development" to mean not just those actual skills required to perform the function (acting, dancing, etc) in a professional setting but also the adjunct activities which contribute to the management of a career and the challenges of the work/life balance in live performance. This should be understood to mean that only those projects which address the specifics of working in our jurisdiction will qualify (e.g. a workshop in set design might be a worthwhile project but it would not fit as set designers are not within our jurisdiction).
The Association is in the process of rewriting the Professional Development Guidelines to take into account the changes the Council has mandated. Until the new document is complete, we encourage members who have ideas to contact us directly and we will be happy to assist them in determining if the project does indeed fit.
Arden R. Ryshpan, Executive Director

Please contact Lynn McQueen, Communications Director, for more information about professional development services or to make a PD application.