20th AGM: Visits to Operating Authorities become a main “service pillar” in 2011

Though visits to Operating Authorities belong to the duties of National Award Authorities, these local Award Development Workshops haven’t been carried out systematically for several years now. The focus of the Association was largely on seminars, mainly the Award Leaders Course.

Prepared by the first “Award Consultants Course” in December, things will begin to change in 2011. Together with the respective Award Coordinator the new team of Award Consultants will prepare about half a dozen visits to get an in-depth view of the delivery of the Award, agree on results and perspectives and revise the development plan.

The workshop’s programme*) includes fix elements like a meeting with the management of the organisation, interviews of participants / Award holders and the supervision of a practice expedition or of an expedition. By contrast, its frame is rather open and the programme can even be divided into two dates, e.g. an “indoor” part and an “outdoor” part.

The renewed service will start with visits because the pilote projects of the introduction of the Award have been completed, i.e. it will start with new Operating Authorities. Also, Operating Authorities with extended licences for multiple Units and / or the Gold level are top on the agenda 2011.

*) For details see the Guidance Note on Local Visits (in German).