2017 NARA Seminar Justification Tool Kit

The NARA Annual Licensing Seminar is the premier event in which human care regulators and providers come together to network, share best practices and glean strategies for improving their regulatory practices. However, we know that within regulatory organizations every expense or funding decision may be scrutinized. While many travel and training bans are being lifted, there is certainly no less pressure to ensure that all money invested in training or development is being spent wisely. To assist you in gaining funding approval to attend the NARA Annual Licensing Seminar, we have developed a justification toolkit, which includes customizable documents and information to help you demonstrate to your supervisors and leadership the significant value your participation in the seminar will bring to your organization.

When you are compiling your proposal to your supervisors, keep the following in mind:

• Focus on what YOU specifically will bring back to the organization as a return on the investment.
• Use the information about sessions from the seminar brochure to outline some of the needed resources or current issues you’ll be learning about.
• Offer to prepare and deliver a short presentation or Q&A with your colleagues upon your return from the seminar. This will be an opportunity for your participation to benefit your whole unit or department and increase the value of your attendance.
• Share the presentation slides and handouts with your colleagues. You will have access to materials from each session. These can be tangible benefits and aids to you and your colleagues well beyond the seminar dates themselves.
• Develop a plan for how you will cover your work responsibilities during your travel time. With complimentary wireless internet access in the guest rooms, you can still maintain contact with your work while attending the seminar.
• If you’re in need of training or professional development opportunities, consider attending the post-conference training course and avoid travel costs associated with additional outside training. And the course gets you one step closer to earning your NARA Credential.
• Be sure to register by the Early Bird Deadline (date TBD) to save on seminar registration.
• The Exhibitor program at the NARA Annual Licensing Seminar features exhibitors and sponsors providing a wide range of regulatory services. Look over our Exhibitor and Sponsor list to determine if you can arrange meetings with current or potential vendors who may have solutions to assist your organization.

Proving you can put the knowledge gained at the Annual Licensing Seminar immediately into action, outlining the specific costs and benefits associated with the seminar and volunteering to share the benefits with your colleagues all make it easier for your supervisors and leadership to approve your attendance. We hope that these resources will make your justification process just a little bit simpler, and we look forward to seeing you at the Seminar!

Tool Kit Documents:

• Customizable Letter to Your Supervisor
• Benefits Worksheet
• Expense Worksheet
• Customizable Post-Seminar Report