Workshops are appropriate for small groups of
parents and/or professionals, teacher-parent teams, as well as larger
audiences such as workplace forums, physician grand rounds, inservice
staff training groups, parent support groups, organizational meetings
or union groups.
Workshop Host Checklist:
( ) Programs may require video and overhead projection equipment.
(
) Please host the workshop in a clean, well-ventilated facility away
from renovation or construction projects or school activities that
create dust, fumes, fragrances and other irritants that cause poor air
quality.
( ) Contact the facility manager and occupants (such as
teachers) to find out if there has been recent maintenance, pest
control, cleaning or curriculum activities that create dust,
fragrances, vapors and fumes (for example, from air fresheners,
disinfectants, deoderizers, pesticides or school supplies such as white
board cleaners and solvent-based markers). These conditions would not
be comfortable or safe for attendees.
( ) Contact the building's
chemical hygiene officer or manager who is responsible for chemical
safety in the building. (The person you need to talk to may be a
science teacher or a custodian.) Confirm that all building chemicals
including science lab chemicals and other science supplies, art and
theater materials, and cleaning and maintenance supplies are stored in a
safe and proper manner.
( ) At least two weeks before a program,
send a letter to the facility manager or maintenance service so that
they are aware of health and environmental requirements and do not do
anything that would contribute to an unhealthy environment. Follow up
with a phone call to confirm that they have received the letter and
will cooperate with the standards for healthy air quality.
( ) Please include this paragraph in your program flyer or announcement: "To
protect the health of all who attend and in consideration of those with
asthma, allergies and other environmentally triggered conditions,
please refrain from using perfumed grooming products such as scented
soaps and perfumes."
Funding a Workshop
Funding a Workshop
Don't
go it alone. Consider a wide range of school, parent, community,
professional and public partnerships when planning a program.
Local
businesses, social clubs, faith-based groups and community
organizations frequently have community relations, human resources and
educational budgets that can be used to co-sponsor a program and help
to pay for speaker fees and expenses.
Hospitals, school
districts and universities have professional development and continuing
education funds that can be used to offer programs for parents,
teachers, patients, employees, and other community and professional
groups.
Contact your local Chamber of Commerce to find business
contacts and community groups. Contact your town government to find out
about community partnerships.
Contact your local library, city hall,
shopping mall, church or synagogue leaders, health clubs, health
centers and hospitals to discuss hosting an educational program. They
may be willing to offer free or low-cost classroom or meeting space as
well as convenient parking.
ELLIE GOLDBERG, M.Ed. is an education and environmental health advocate for healthy children, safe schools and sustainable communities – clean water, clean air, clean energy and safe food. Inspired by the legacy of Rachel Carson, who taught that our health and security is intimately connected to the quality of our environment, Ellie is active in public health, environmental, educational and public policy organizations working to increase citizen engagement, government accountability and corporate responsibility on behalf of children and their healthy development.