Registration Teamwork

1. Registration Teamwork CAPFT AND THE NAIT PROGRAM BENCHMARK

2. Purpose and Objectives • The purpose of the Registration Team is to ensure a coordinated approach to the registration of graduates from the NAIT Forestry Program to the Forest Technologist in Training (FTT) register. • The Registration Team engages CAPFT volunteers on Council in it’s objective of registering all graduates of the NAIT Forestry Program with the College. • The Registration Team will build a united front on Council on the subject of graduate student registration on the FTT register. • The Registration Team will educate Council and the broader membership on the importance of maintaining the high standards of both the NAIT program and the College in the former’s mission of producing a future cohort of forestry professionals and the latter’s mission of protecting the public interest (See http://www.forestechs.ab.ca/mission.cfm). • The Registration Team will promote the benefits of registration to NAIT Forestry Program graduates.

3. Facts • The CAPFT Membership Committee reviews all applications and NAIT students are registered in year 1 and 2 of the Forestry Programs. • Graduates from the NAIT Forestry Program [BENCHMARK] submit a copy of their Diploma and a practice permit fee to the college for registration as Forest Technologist’s in Training (FTT). • The Registered Professional Technologist Regulation assures graduates that the NAIT forestry program delivers sufficient education for registration with CAPFT.

4. Team Organization The registration team is responsible for delivering an efficient application and registration process, and along with the standing committees of Council, ensures the necessary tools and resources for the maintenance of an accurate registry of competent forestry professionals.

5. Roles and Responsibilities(Regulated Forestry Profession Act, RSA 2000) • Cindy Schmidt, Membership Director. Chair of the Membership Committee comprised of at least 3 appointed members at large plus Registrar. The Committee may apply conditions, permit, suspend, or refuse registration. The Membership Director is the member’s information source and the College’s CHAMPION for registration. • Butch Shenfield, President. Receives minutes or attends Membership Committee meetings and chair’s Council in the review of the Membership Committee or Registrar decisions to suspend or refuse registration. The President develops Council’s AGENDA and provides support and guidance to the College. • Barb de Groot, Registrar. Considers applicants eligibility for registration and practice permits. The Registrar may apply conditions, permit, suspend, or refuse registration and provides leadership in the timely processing of applications. The Registrar oversees the ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS of the College. • Fran Appleyard, Executive Assistant. Provides administrative assistance in the registration of new applicants and follow-up on application fees and practice permit payments. The Executive Assistant provides BUSINESS SUPPORT functions for the College.

6. Areas For Growth • Enhance understanding of responsibilities through regular communication between NAIT graduates/FTT’s and the Team. • Ensure the availability of concise information for registration in the FTT category. • Provide links to information and resources for NAIT graduates concerning the FTT category. • Establish a bridge to the Exam and Competency committees and the Communications Director for the development of decision support tools for registrants in the FTT category. • Provide a single communication point for transitioning from graduate student (backpack) to FTT (cruisers vest).

7. Team Building Exercises • Pilot project between team members and Council on the provision of decision support tools for FTT’s. • Development of FTT mentoring through innovative strategies that recognize the time and commitment of RPFT’s engaged in these activities. • Ensure sufficient resources and incentives for participation in the pilot project.

8. Best Practices • Update of NAIT representative roles and responsibilities (completed). • Increase Registration Team communication with FTT’s through employment and social networking. • Establish a cooperative relationship with parents and employers to bridge any communication gaps. (A means of overcoming outdated e-mail accounts).

9. Recommendations • Strengthen and simplify CAPFT communication in year 1 and 2 of the program in coordination with the NAIT Rep on Council. • Clarify the message to student members by breaking it down. Enhanced web content and other forms of electronic communication. • Introduce a practice permit condition for FTT’s that strengthens participation and interaction between new members and experienced members. • Highlight membership benefits with the assistance of a new registered category of supervising RPFT’s. • Reward supervising RPFT’s through further development of the continuing competency program Category 3 Area 3 Mentoring. • Develop a formal mentoring program with the guidance of the registration team.