Sponsoring a Workshop with Karen Strange
The Midwifery Management of Neonatal Resuscitation

Sponsor Responsibilities

If you are interested in bringing Karen to your area to teach a workshop you will need to understand what it takes to make that happen. Your help is much appreciated! Be prepared, though, there is work to be done before a class can take place, and Karen relies heavily on her local sponsors to get this work done.
Your primary responsibility is to garner interest in the class and then organize it when there is sufficient interest. She needs at least 20 people registered to cover the costs of doing the class, though she often can negotiate different numbers depending on circumstances. Additionally, you will be expected to:

 

1. Registration: receive registration forms and deposits and send weekly to her if planned in advance. Then it is your responsibility to ensure the minimum number of participants signs up so the class can happenSecure Workshop facility: Someplace with carpeting and roomy enough for the numbers
2. Provide support for Karen while in your town (a place to stay, access to food or store, though she often rents a car depending on number of classes in the area and brings her own food)
3. Accept equipment via fedex ahead of time, signature required
4. Organize food for the Workshop (usually a potluck)
5. Help set up for the workshop the night before
6. Help break down after the Workshop

After many years of providing Workshops, Karen has come to understand exactly what needs to be done and what makes a smooth and productive Workshop happen. Karen has created some check lists and details of exactly the help and support she will expect and need: Karen has some physical limitations which makes her dependant on your commitment and support. Please take some time to read these BEFORE offering to sponsor a class.

Requirements:

This section outlines your duties and responsibilities as the Local Contact and Class Sponsor.
Please read through it carefully and let me know if you have any questions.

Remember, she needs at least 20 people registered to cover the costs of doing the class; her costs include the airline ticket, lodging (if necessary), local transportation (shuttle, toll, fuel, bus fares), printing, copies, shipping of equipment, extra bags, overweight baggage, her time, etc. Karen may consider doing a class for fewer participants, but the cost of the class for each participant may need to be higher. You should aim to get at least 20 people to attend because there will be the inevitable last-minute cancellations and then the minimum number won't be met at the time of the class.

If Karen is coming to an area where there is the potential to do more than one class, she wants a minimum of 14 people per class. An example of this would be when she travels to Wisconsin, she will do sequential classes in Green Bay, Milwaukee and Madison; each location is usually within 3-6 hours driving time.
The deadline for pre-registration is 3 weeks prior to the date of the class. Pre-registration consists of participants completing the class registration form and returning it to you along with an $85 deposit. If we do not have the agreed upon number of participants IN-HAND (not just a phone call swearing they are coming) by 3 weeks prior to the class date, she may cancel the class. She buys her plane ticket once there is a minimum registered. Exceptions are possible but they must be discussed with Karen before the pre-registration deadline.

What constitutes the minimum number of participants? They must have paid a deposit or you cannot count them. Over the years Karen has learned - people that do not pay a deposit but swear they are coming - do not show up. Karen needs to have a minimum number of committed participants in order to buy her ticket. Occasionally, people do not show due to births, sick children and unavoidable events. Therefore, the minimum takes that into consideration. Again, PLEASE realize that unless they pay a deposit ahead of time you cannot consider them part of the numbers needed to have in order to make this class happen (and buy her ticket), regardless of how well you know them or what they say in a promise.

Fees and money:

You may charge whatever you wish for facility or association fees or for yourself but Karen must receive the following per person in the class:

For the regular full day workshop:

• First time taking Karen's Class: $220.00
  
• Renewing with previous class taken from Karen: $210.00
  

 

Points to Be Aware Of:

• As the Class Sponsor, you will receive your course free as long as the agreed minimum number of participants is met.
• If the minimum is not met, a substantial discount on the course fee may be given, with prior approval by Karen.
• Any arrangements regarding dividing this free course (or the discount) among other participants MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE WITH KAREN.
• People considered "helpers" or "observers" may be subject to the full course fee unless prior arrangements are made with Karen.
• Karen must have the minimum number of paid participants in a class to make travel to the location and teaching the class economically feasible.
• Please read the FAQs "What if I already have a card", "Class Cost Discussion" and "Auditing Karen's Class" for more details and then call Karen with questions.

Sponsor checklist:

• Advertise the workshop with the emails you have for your area such as email lists, local, regional, and national. Karen will send out an email brochure to her database as well but often you as the local sponsor has the most updated email addresses within your community
• Advertise on websites, in newspapers and other local publications if applicable.
• Call potential attendees (including midwives, doulas, doctors, nurses, CNMs, students, apprentices, midwife assistants, lactation consultants, childbirth educators, etc).
• Copy the brochures and distribute in your area to all interested parties if this is applicable
• Pick up and drop off Karen at airport (unless other arrangements are made, i.e., if she rents a car).
• Make sleeping arrangements for Karen (usually Karen stays with the sponsor or house host as part of the scholarship). She sometimes stays in a hotel.  Absolutely no birth centers with plastic covered mattresses and plastic pillows. You try sleeping on them first.
• Karen often stays at the sponsor's home and brings her own food but if she does not have a car, travel to a store may be necessary. If you want to offer foods she can eat, provide those containing veggies and protein. No gluten products, eggs or dairy, soy and MANY other foods.
• Collect all monies and send weekly to her. Checks from participants or yourself should be made out to newbornbreath LLC
  Send to:

Karen Strange
3274 Cripple Creek Trail
Boulder, CO 80305

 

Workshop Facility Information:

• Secure a facility for workshop (i.e.: a good-sized living room (preferred) or birthing center or office). It is expected that the class will be held at the sponsor's home or office; if this is not possible, the sponsor may split the sponsor scholarship with the house host (as stated above).
• If the class will be held in a room without chairs, you must provide enough pillows for everyone to sit on, and preferably something to cushion their knees while they are skill testing. I have learned that in asking participants to bring their own pillows usually 2 out of 14 will actually bring something. So you need to make sure there are enough for everyone.
• Karen needs to be able to set up the night before the class. If this is not possible then this is now where the class can be held.
• Absolutely under no circumstances will Karen teach a class at or sleep at a location that has animals chained up, locked in small enclosures, or not allowed in the house (though they could be kept outside during class). This may be totally okay with you and you may feel you are a good pet owner but in doing so much traveling she has decided it is TOO deeply upsetting for her to be around. This is non-negotiable.
• Karen brings her a projector, screen, speakers and computer for the workshop but will need a small table for projector and computer.
  

 

Support on the day of class:

NOTE: Karen has a physical limitation with her knee (will need a knee replacement in the near future and wears a brace now)and will require assistance with all lifting and moving of equipment and luggage. It is expected that the Class Sponsor will do this or appoint a strong-bodied person to assist as detailed below. This means you are not just helping her to bring the bags in but rather you or whomever you designate is carrying everything in and out of that location. If you cannot assure this happens ahead of time then the class cannot be scheduled.  For instance Karen did a class where there were a lot of stairs and because the sponsor had her husband taking care of the baby while she helped set up, Karen did a LOT of the carrying up the stairs since there was only the 2 of them. Please do not let this happen.  Get others to help carrying in the bags, they are heavy and a lot of them and a HUGE problem for Karen to carry them into and out of every location. Remember she does this all the time, not just at your location.

Set Up:

• Carry (or schlep) Karen's bags out of the car and deliver to the room where the class is being taught. If there are stairs then either you or the person whom you appoint will do this. Karen WILL NOT CARRY bags in or out of the car, up or down stairs; it is just to hard/difficult on her knee.
• Help arrange dolls neatly against wall;
• Neatly fold towels and stack them near dolls;
• Neatly pile hats near towels;
• Arrange chairs or pillows in semi-circle for the expected number of participants;
• Provide signs to direct participants in the flow of the space, even if you think they are familiar; Like a sign on the outside of the building that says where the class is being held.
• Arrange to have an area (tabletops, etc.) where Karen can put handouts on one table, and items for sale (DVD's, books, resuscitation equipment).

 

Support during class:

• Collect monies owed and match with roster
• Make sure everyone fills out an envelope and name tag
• Help pass out tests and answer sheets at the first breatk
  
  

Food and Beverages

• It is very important that you organize lunch plans (either potluck (preferred) or catered, paid for by participants);
• Provide a place for food for class participants (i.e., table or counter);
• Provide hot water for tea, coffee and drinking water. I am happy to cover the cost of anything additional you purchased for the class, save receipts.
• Lunch supplies that will be needed include: cups, plates, plastic-ware, napkins and garbage bags. I am happy to cover the cost of paper and plastic for the class. Save receipts.
  
  

Break Down:

• Pull down laminates and stack near bags;
  
• Collect items/materials and organize them into piles: stack all dolls together, take masks off bags, put masks in plastic bags, stack resuscitation bags together, make stacks of hats, towels, stethoscopes, alcohol pads, etc.;
  
• Follow Karen’s direction for breaking down everything and putting into the bags. They need to go in a certain way dues to shipping issues
• Zip up suitcases, carry to car and assist with loading
  
  

Please notify Karen if you have any questions regarding the requirements or what is expected of a Class Sponsor. Thank you again in advance for all of your help - this class would not happen without you!

 

What People Say About Karen's Workshops

“Karen is brilliant and has a very complex understanding of NRP. The whole perinatal psychology aspect goes way beyond [learning objectives]. “
– Philly Attendant

“This is 3rd/4th class with Karen Strange. Best ever. - Blossom Birth Class
Hard to imagine [anything to make the presentation more effective]; it’s so well refined. Great job, Karen!”
– Palo Alto, CA Attendant