FAQS
1. General
In addition to participating in three workshops (possibly four if space permits), members can attend Fall & Winter Forums, the Spring Talks series, city walks & other social events. There may be an additional cost for some of the social events. In addition, members have an opportunity to meet & get to know interesting people with shared interests.
Please contact the current chair of the Curriculum Committee for details. You can also keep an eye on the website, where information will be posted when planning for the next sessions begins.
We are always looking for new members and fresh ideas. Click here for a list of committees to see if there is anything that interests you; there are also special purpose groups, such as the Tech team which supports members with their IT and presentation needs. You may contact the Chair of any of the committees for more information or to offer your help. You may also speak to the Volunteer Coordinator, Rhona Wolpert
Any items for the News page may be emailed to website@allto.ca.
Guests are welcome at the Spring Talks (for a nominal fee of $10 per guest). Also workshops welcome guests if space permits. Check with your workshop facilitator(s) to inquire about bringing a guest to a session.
Ideas for newsletter pieces may be sent to communications@allto.ca
Please send any change in your personal contact details to registration@allto.ca so that our records can remain current.
Yes, all personal information is secure. Check our Personal Information Protection Policy for details.
No, there is no special pricing for couples or for courses taken for only part of the year. Membership fees are for three (possibly four) workshops, the forums, Spring Talks, and various other events. Members may participate in all or some of these activities as they wish.
Regular members, including those serving on Committees and the Board of the Academy, pay the full price. Facilitators who undertake to lead a full course / courses on their own receive free membership for the year. Those who co-facilitate two courses are also treated as a sole facilitator for the purposes of the membership fee. Co-facilitators pay half price. Workshops that have three facilitators each pay 1/3 of the full membership price.
Past Academy members that are no longer able to participate in the full range of activities may register as Associate Members. For a reduced fee Associates may participate in Academy events other than the workshops.
2. Registration
In May of each year, waiting lists are created for oversubscribed workshops. As spots often open up, it is likely that individuals on the waiting list will be able to be accommodated. There is, however, no guarantee. If you are not able to attend a full workshop due to space, the facilitator may invite individuals on the list to attend periodic sessions while other attendees are away.
Your Academy membership allows you to initially enrol for up to three workshops. During the registration process three spaces are held in each workshop for new members. Any spaces remaining July 1st are then opened up to members who are waitlisted. Once everyone has been accommodated, other members may register for a fourth workshop as space permits.
Membership in the Academy is based on a flat annual fee regardless of when in the registration year you join or how many sessions you attend.
To ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to get a space in the workshops of their choice, all registrations received during April are taken on an equal basis. Spots are then assigned early in May. Where there are more registrants than spaces, the spots are assigned through randomization and a waiting list is created.
PayPal allows payment by credit card / debit card through its portal for individuals who don't have an account.
Click here for a handy "tip" sheet on using PayPal to pay for Academy purposes.
Click here for a handy "tip" sheet on how you can address your browser problem.
Confirmations for course registrations are sent out in early May, after the completion of the randomization process for oversubscribed courses. After that time, confirmation is sent out as registration is completed.
Your PayPal confirmation / transaction number serves as your receipt.
Workshops fill up quickly from April to May; in early May, oversubscribed workshops are 'randomized' so that all members expressing an interest during the first weeks of registration have an equal opportunity to get a spot. After May, oversubscribed workshops have a wait list which operates on a first-come / first-served basis as spots open up.
You do not need to register for the workshop(s) that you are leading, only for those that you are attending as a participant. If you are not participating in any sessions other than the one you are leading, then please register and make a note that you are only facilitating / co-facilitating. Check the payment option drop-down menu as the rates vary based on your role.
3. Workshops
Check with your workshop facilitator(s) to inquire about bringing a guest to a session. Workshops welcome guests if space permits.
Not all workshops require presentations, but where there is a presentation format, then all attendees will play a part. The independent exploration and research undertaken for the presentations is part of the learning experience at the Academy, and one of the ways it is different from other continuing education organizations that rely on a lecture format.
Each Academy workshop has a Tech Team member assigned to assist in the setup for presentations and the use of the microphone system. This person is a member of the workshop and takes on this additional responsibility to report any problems and assist when needed. As well, the Tech Team leadership organizes a weekly Tech Time so that Academy members can test their presentations out on Academy equipment (always recommended). It's also an opportunity to ask questions and get help. The time and place for Tech Time is announced via an email message and noted on the Academy's website.
Suggestions
If you have questions you think should be covered here, please email your suggestions to:
Cathy Spark: Cl.spark@rogers.com