First Trainings

(This is a stock-photo stand-in, courtesy of Google images, meant to depict the training room at Toledo's Catholic Diosese. I meant to take one, but forgot. Oops.)

My main job this year as a VISTA is to train new Benefit Bank counselors. The day-long trainings consist of practice on the software and a basic rundown of the benefits, including food stamps, medical coverage, home heating, child care, FAFSA and more.

After what was supposed to be my first training got canceled last week, I had two in a row this week -- Thursday and Friday. The Northwest Ohio Regional Coordinator (RC) sat in on both and critiqued me. There were five people at Thursday's training and six at Friday's training.

FIRST TRAINING: I was less nervous than I thought I would be. I think it helped that I spent a ton of extra time beforehand making a ridiculously long outline of everything I needed to cover in the order I planned to cover it. That way I could just go down the page step by step and not stammer and think and worry about missing something. That's just the way my brain needs to operate and so it was helpful for ease of mind.

I thought the first half of the day -- introducing the software and learning to log in -- went pretty good, but I was shaky on explaining the specifics of the benefits during the second half. (Which isn't that surprising, since I still DO feel somewhat shaky in my understanding of them.)

Part of the reason my benefits half was shaky is because I tend to get tentative when I don't feel like I fully understand something. My RC wants me to just say what I know and move on. But it just doesn't feel right to state the basics authoritatively and just hope no one asks any questions outside the realm of my limited knowledge.

Speaking of my RC, I think she was getting a little annoyed with my hypothetical questions about benefits. I kept asking, "Well, what if..." and "Ok, but what if..." That's just the way I learn. Testing how the situation will change if I change this, or add that. It's how my brain starts to feel like it's really wrapping around something. And it's the only way I can start sounding more confident when I explain something to others.

I ran over time a little and my RC had to leave before I was done, so I didn't get any feedback, except to watch my time. But luckily the group was pretty cheerful, patient and understanding. Several people thanked me and said I did a really good job. I thought it was adequate, although no great shakes, but at least they were fooled :)

SECOND TRAINING: The next day, my second training, I arrived and -- uh oh -- there were no computers set up. Luckily I found someone to get that going, but most of the group had already arrived before they started hooking up the laptops.

Trainingwise, I thought the second day went smoother. I stayed on time -- and even got done early. I talked about the benefits more confidently -- tried to just say what I knew and leave it at that -- and it worked! Luckily no one really had any questions. I don't know if that's because they were already familiar with the benefits or if they were too confused to even start haha. (We'll go with option 1.)

When we broke for lunch, my RC made some good suggestions and pointed out some things I hadn't been aware I was doing to fix for next time.

For example, apparently I'd said "dealing with clients" rather than "assisting clients," which I agree is better and I hadn't even realized I said that. Also I'm not supposed to say "playing" with the training web site -- it's "practicing." Which also makes sense. Puts it in a more serious light, which it is.

Partway through that critique, I learned there were correctional-officer-specific handouts that I should have known about and which would make the second half of the day more relavent to my group. So instead of eating, I ran over the food bank -- luckily just around the corner -- and printed off copies. No food, but I think that was the right choice.

At the end of the day, my RC said I did a nice job -- or at least improved since the first day when she said she was worried about me. So I was happy with that. And just glad the loong week was over. I can still get a lot better, but I'm glad to have the first few under my belt.

And be done with observation. while it was nice to have someone there as backup and to offer tips, it's also kind of nerve-wracking knowing you're being watched and judged.

AND, my three-client requirement is now complete after my third person FINALLY showed up to our appointment on the fourth (or was it fifth?) try. Whew.

Boy, am I sick of talking.