|
|
|
|
|
Fall 2016 CPSAC News
Keeping members connected from coast to coast to coast
|
|
In This Edition:
- NUNA Canada Sponsorship
- Cpl. Car Seat: Tech Safety
- New Merchandise Order
- AGM: Save the Date
- Recert Requirements
- Add Your Events
- CPSAC Poster Templates
|
|
NUNA Canada Sponsorship
In our last newsletter, we announced the donation by Nuna Canada of a large supply of check forms for our members. Between then and now, that donation grew. In addition to check forms, Nuna Canada and its distributor have donated 137,000 check forms to CPSAC and more than 130 infant car seats to technicians in communities across the country.
“We strongly believe in car seat safety and the importance of the tech community in Canada,” says Nuna’s Chris Pearson. “We hope that this donation will allow techs to help many families across the country.”
“CPSAC is grateful for this generous donation to our members to support families across the country,” says Katherine Hutka, president. “Our organization supports our members in their work in community organizations and volunteer coalitions through training and other resources to help keep kids safer when travelling, and this donation will go a long way in supporting them.”
Check forms are already being distributed. Technicians in select major centers (St. John’s, NL; Montreal, QC; Ottawa, ON; London, ON; Winnipeg, MB; Edmonton, AB; Calgary, AB; Vancouver, BC; and Vancouver Island, BC) have access to a local supply. If you have not already connected with your local hub, email info@cpsac.org for more information.
If you are not in one of those communities, or if you prefer to order online, the forms are available free-for-shipping in the CPSAC Shop.
|
|
 Cpl. Car Seat:
Personal Safety
As members of CPSAC, it is our goal to help parents keep their children safe. We can't do that if we don't emulate safety as well. These guidelines are designed to keep you safe and give you the knowledge to know how to prevent unsafe situations before they even happen.
As an organization, we encourage our members to work in teams: at clinics, with a partner, or in a professional capacity. In addition to being a personal safety best practice, this also ensures a second set of eyes on your car seat checks to further ensure child safety and negate your liability. However, many of our members do work independently.
Members should not negate their personal safety when representing CPSAC and are encouraged to consider the following to protect their personal safety:
DO:
- Keep a record of the name and contact information of the clients you're meeting and ensure it is where a friend, family member, or colleague can find it.
- Let someone know where you are going and how long you intend to be gone.
- Meet in a public place (eg. parking lot, park, police station, etc)
- Keep vehicle doors open and engine off for the duration of any check.
- Encourage clients to hold their children or move their own personal belongings (ie. purses).
DO NOT:
- Bring clients to your home for a check.
- Approach people doing illegal or unsafe things. Report these incidents to police or social services as appropriate.
Road Safety
 Finally, don't underestimate the power of a moving vehicle. Members working anywhere near moving vehicles (including parking lots, streets, roadside clinics, etc) should wear a reflective safety vest to ensure they are seen. Look for a CSA Standard Z96-15 Class 2 vest. They are currently available for order in the CPSAC shop, but they’re also easily available for under $25 from stores like Mark’s Work Wearhouse, Walmart, etc.
|
|
|
New Merchandise Pre-Order
We’ve had an explosion of new technicians and instructors this year! We have CPSAC-branded apparel available for order. While not required, members have found that wearing our uniform shirts at clinics, private checks, info sessions, and while teaching lends an extra air of professionalism that helps our message be received that much better.
Apparel is pre-ordered as we do not keep stock year round. The order is open NOW and closes October 16. We expect to ship around November 1, subject to supplier delays. Order now in the CPSAC Shop.
NEW! By popular demand, we now have ladies fit cotton t-shirts in red and black and long-sleeved shirts in black only. Based on member experience in the 1.5 years since we’ve been wearing uniform shirts, we still strongly recommend the polo shirt as your first option.
|
|
|
AGM: Save the Date
CPSAC's Annual General Meeting is coming up on Sunday, November 20. We'll be electing or re-electing members to the Board of Directors.
At our last AGM, we elected 8 board members - four selected 2-year terms and four selected 1-year terms. This was done to stagger elections. There are four positions up for election this time, for a 2-year term. Board discussions happen electronically throughout the week. Meetings are held at least once a month via web conference or phone and usually take place on a Sunday evening -- earlier for the west coasters, later for the easterners. They take approximately two hours. Aside from that, Board participation is what you make it, but it is an excellent opportunity to become actively engaged in the running of the organization. Some board members contribute an hour a week, and some an hour or two each day.
More information will be added here as it becomes available.
|
|
|
Recertification Requirements
Have you been a CPSAC tech for a year or more? It’s time to make sure you have been keeping up to date. To successfully recertify you need to do 2 yearly refreshers. The refreshers can be found here:
http://www.cpsac.org/yearly-updates-refreshers/
Did you miss doing your refresher? No need to panic! Current and previous refreshers are available on the CPSAC website and are easier to access than ever. The 2016 refresher will be added shortly.
|
|
|
Add Your Events
We want a full and vibrant events calendar! Please submit your public clinics and courses online. You can add a date, time, location, description, cost, and image, as applicable.
Are you having trouble logging into the CPSAC website? Email the webmaster for help at webmaster@cpsac.org. |
|
|
Poster Templates
Are you running a course or hosting a public event? CPSAC has a number of templates available for use, on request. While they are not required, they are certainly recommended! They will be available online soon. Until then, email valerie.froom@cpsac.org.
A reminder: using the CPSAC logo is subject to approval. There are a number of pre-approved uses as detailed on the Graphics/Style Guide page. Use outside these parameters requires approval.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
