IOL Annual Conference and AGM

 

24th March 2007

at East Barnby Centre, N. Yorkshire

 

Hugh McBride, Senior Lecturer in Business Studies at GMIT in the West of Ireland. “Professionalising the Sector. The Role of IOL?”


Some issues arising in the IOL workshop discussion (following the presentation):

Professionalising the sector – issues for individuals?

  • Issue of boundaries. There are many different categories of professionals/occupations in IOL (unlike, for instance in nursing). Approach should be inclusive.
  • Outdoor learning professionals have shared values. There is a need to articulate these. [How are “we” different to, for example, a scout leader?]
  • Is there a code of ethics in existence? If so, is it known about?
  • Need to distinguish professionals from professionalism. The process of professionalising should focus on the latter.
  • Possibly consider the “inverted doughnut” model of an organisation. Key is defining the inner core (the centre) from which the outside ring originates and which holds all together. Difficult to define either the inner core or the outer limits (the boundaries). One suggestion for the core: a belief in the value of experiential learning.
  • Need to establish practice standards and assure quality.
  • Need for focus on quality and safety issues.
  • Need for a disciplinary framework.

 

Professionalising the sector – issues for IOL?

  • Professional bodies have a client focus. Is IOL like that?
  • Does IOL have a clear vision? Do people know about it?
  • Broadness of potential client group a problem.
  • Should IOL have a focus on accrediting organisations (and not just individuals)?
  • Is there a need for an external oversight body?
  • The pace of change in the sector is very fast. How to ensure that everyone is keeping-up, especially at the periphery?
  • Is there a case to have a paid organiser in each region?
  • How to project and promote the image and reputation of the IOL?


A full version of the Powerpoint presentation that Hugh presented can be obtained from IOL on CD for an administrative charge of £5 (this covers all PPT presentations from the conference on one CD). It can also be sent free of charge by email, but at 1mb it might be too large for some PC’s.

 

Please contact Fiona (T : 01768 885800) at IOL to request an email version or to buy the CD. 

 

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