BASIC SKILLS IT’S UP TO YOU! BE PROACTIVE IN SHARING INFORMATION WITH ALL PARENTS
by ERIN M. SCHOPF AND CAREY TINKELENBERG Being a Basic Skills Director can be a nev-
er ending job. You go from session to session to get everyone on the ice, learn the curriculum and have a good experience, all while maintain- ing skater and parent expectations. You evaluate your program and wonder if you accomplished everything you had planned. Headquarters relies on our amazing directors to spread our message and the U.S. Figure Skating Brand to our cus- tomers. We are trying to shape recreational and competitive skaters, but also to create fans of our sport. One way to achieve that is to teach positive, proactive parenting to our beginning Basic Skills parents, so that they have a rewarding experience. When we talk about parent education, we’re
not talking about the parking lot conversations or simply answering questions when parents come to you. We mean organized, proactive efforts on the part of the director to present parents with the information they may not know they need. Tis should include all parents, not just the ones who come to you.
Tink about creating a customizable hand-
book for your parents. Here are some topics to consider: • Te mission of your program, why you
Parents can be a director’s best ally in attacting new families to your program.
Giving all parents the information they need is essential to building a strong program.
exist and what sets you apart • Te program’s structure and leadership,
the progression of the Basic Skills curriculum and any specialty classes or special programs you offer • How you fit in the pipeline of skating and
the road to the Olympic Games within U.S. Fig- ure Skating • Te benefits of skating and the benefits of their membership in the national governing body of figure skating, equipment recommendations, policies and procedures, photos and bios of your coaching staff, and most importantly, the role of the parent and how they can help their child get the most out of skating Parent education can take the form of an ori- entation meeting before the session begins, or it can be done in the stands during the first lesson. Parent education clarifies what to expect from your program and answers questions upfront. Parent education also ensures that parents
have accurate information from a professional source and will share it with others when they talk to their peers. Parents who attend education meetings are usually the first ones in your corner when you need some assistance or an extra vol- unteer. Tink about transition moments — when a skater is eligible to enter the bridge program, about to complete Basic 8, or choose first private coach. Tese are all opportunities to educate par- ents about what is coming next and what resourc- es are available to assist them. Incorporate a customized meeting into spe-
cial events such as camps, open houses, Basic Skills competitions and the first day of the bridge
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program, when you have a captive audience of parents who are interested in the sport. Tink about having parents of skaters in the program say a few words at these meetings to share their experiences. Tis gives new parents someone with whom they can identify. Take skaters on a field trip to a local competition and talk about per- forming, the scoring systems and how skaters pre- pare for competition. Take them to test sessions and ice shows for the education and exposure. Set up a table that is staffed with informed people who can answer questions during lessons. As the director, walk through the stands with handouts and program updates. Remember, par- ents don’t always have the information to know which questions to ask. As director, it is up to you to be proactive in showing them what our pro- grams and our sport have to offer. Not only is this great customer service, but it is part of selling the skating experience. If parents believe in your philosophy and the
quality of your program, they are more likely to sign up again and speak highly of the program to their friends, family, neighbors and coworkers. Remember, word of mouth is your best form of advertising. Satisfied parents who share accurate information are your best advocates. (Carey Tinkelenberg is the director and found-
er of the Northfield Skating School in Northfield, Minn., and is a member of the Basic Skills Subcom- mittee. Erin Schopf is the Basic Skills manager at U.S. Figure Skating.)
PHOTOS BY TED GOTWALS
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