August 2010

All,

I have replaced Bob Berry as the Assistant Director Rider Course Programs. The RE forms having Bob’s information have been modified. Below is a list of current items that have arisen and should be shared at all levels of the RE program team.

The first thing is to thank you to the instructors who taught at WD 32. Also to those who are active in the class room and ranges that didn’t make it to WD32.

Seminar Presenter Certification and Rider Course Instructors

Effective immediately -District and Chapter Educators can utilize all certified Rider Course Instructors of GWRRA to present RE seminars. Please verify that the instructor is on the Seminar Presenter (SP) or the Rider Course Instructor (RCI) certification spreadsheets. The RCIwill NOT needto renew their Seminar Presenter certification.Betty Knutson will simply mark the expiration date on the SP excel sheet as N/A. Should a RCIdrop their certification as a Rider Coach, the Seminar Presenter Certification would go with it.

Rider Course Curriculum Issues

a)Problem:Recently a few instructors have set up to teach classes with a previous curriculum.

Correct Process: Ensure that you always check the version number of each curriculum (by viewing the date at the bottom) on the Web site before teaching a class.

b)Modification or Deviation of the class room or range Curriculum:

Problem:Some of our instructors have been adding to or removing Power Point slides, adding to or removing information on the Power Point slides in the class room. In addition, the Range exercises have been modified, added or removed.

Correct Process: Utilize the curriculum as it is or obtain permission from Assistant Director Rider Course Programs. This modification or deviation

will invalidate the course and will put the student (member) and instructor at risk. The instructor will not be covered by our GWRRA insurance if they don’t follow the approved curriculum.

c)Number of student to instructor ratio:

Problem:A few times in recent past rider courses have had more than twelve students on the range.

Correct Process: One instructor can teach up to ARC six students on the range. If more than six students are on going to be on the range then an additional instructor is required. At no time during any GWRRA rider course will there be more than twelve students in a class on the range. This modification or deviation will invalidate the course and will put the student (member) and instructor at risk. The instructor will not be covered by our GWRRA insurance if they don’t follow the approved curriculum.

Thereare a maximum number of students that can be in the class room and also range portions of everyGWRRA rider course. Please review each curriculum to determine the maximum number of students in a class. This also will cause the insurance to be limited. This modification or deviation will invalidate the course and will put the student (member) and instructor at risk. The instructor will not be covered by our GWRRA insurance if they don’t follow the approved curriculum.

Form Update:

Problem:Rider Course Completion Card Tracking Sheets contain a block which asks for the driver’s license number. We as instructors have entered the number. Correct Process:Do not insert a driver’s license number into the sheet. Add a check mark or an “X” in that box when you verify that the student has a driver’s license for that specific class.

Class Packages:

Problem: Incomplete rider course class packages have been submitted by the Region and District Educators.

Correct Process:Please ensure that the class paper work packagesare sent to me via snail mail or email complete. Normal packages include student evaluation forms and the Rider completion Card Tracking Sheets. If there is an incident/accident on the range then the TCLOCs, Waivers and incident/accident forms are also added to the package and sent to me for review.

I will use the Rider completion Card Tracking Sheets to verify an instructor has taught the required classes in the two years to stay certified.

Insurance Discounts for GWRRA Rider Courses Working

Dialog between GWRRA and the insurance industry has been fruitful and will continue. At Wing Ding 32 this year two insurance representatives attended our courses. When you teach a course the class may be audited by an insurance company. Theinsurance industry expects us as instructors to teach the curriculum as it is written. This agreement is still in its infancy stages, but a great start toward recognition of the quality of our courses and our Instructors.

Bob Berry always said: “Instructors are where the rubber meets the road” and the Rider Course Programs are only as successful as they are because of your continuing dedication and team concept to quality and excellence.

I believe that - Each of us is not alone and is part of a greater cadre of instructors that represents the rider education team.

Thank you.

Eric Carlson

Director, Rider Course Programs

360-620-7071