UniServ & Organizer Support

Registration Process

STEP 1: As the Manager, complete the Manager’s Recommendation Form. [There are separate forms for the Foundations Academies and the Focus Academies. Please note that the form must be completed by the manager by the deadlines listed below for the Academy sessions that you approve your staff to attend.

STEP 2: Participants are recorded as “accepted” unless it is noted on the form that there is a waiting list. Please let your UDs know that they have been approved and should save the dates on their calendars.

STEP 3: Approximately two (2) months in advance of the program, participants will receive a separate email with the formal, individual Registration Form for them to complete.

STEP 4: Once they register, they will be provided with instructions to make their travel arrangements through NEA’s travel agency - FCm Travel Solutions. (NOTE: NEA will not reimburse for travel arrangements made independently of FCm).

Detailed information about each Academy will be sent to all participants approximately one month prior to each session.

The number of participants for each Academy is capped at 35 per session. Therefore forms should be submitted as early as possible, and no later than the appropriate deadlines. Additional applicants can be placed on waiting lists. Managers interested in sending more than five (5) UniServ Directors to any single Academy should talk with our UniServ Training coordinator (Ellen Holmes, [email protected]) in advance to review expectations.

Technology

Staff will be required to use their laptops and smartphones to support their learning during training. Participants will use OneDrive to access a number of documents. Participants will be using conference facility Wi-Fi which is often not secure. Please inform the appropriate affiliate IT personnel to ensure that participants can either access this type of Wi-Fi or are equipped with appropriate hotspot devices. We will not be able to troubleshoot significant issues once on-site.

Costs

NEA funds the related travel and training expenses for UniServ staff or Pre-UniServ participants to attend (in accord with NEA’s Travel Policies), provided they attend the full time. If participants arrive late or leave early, the costs of their participation may be charged back to the affiliate. All flight reservations must be completed at least 21-days prior to the first date of travel. Any flight reservations made after the deadline will be at the cost of the affiliate. NEA will not reimburse for travel arrangements made independently of NEA’s FCm travel agency. For each Academy, a reasonable rate for getting from the airport to the conference site will be researched and provided. Any costs that are unusually over this threshold will not be reimbursed by NEA.

NEA may incur a considerable cost for individuals who cancel. Therefore in the event of cancellation, the UniServ Director’s employer agrees to reimburse NEA for the full cost of direct-billed airline tickets and/or change fees that cannot be recovered. This may also include the cost of hotel rooms if NEA is unable to cancel the room without penalty. All cancellations must be in writing from the staff person with a copy to their manager. Any cancellations must be emailed to Ellen Holmes ([email protected]g) with a copy to Tom Israel ([email protected]).

Expectations

We ask that managers ensure staff schedules are adjusted so their staff can attend all portions of the academy and participate in the entire program.

Staff should understand that there will be an organizing field activity for the Foundations Academy in which all attendees are required to participate. 

Participants are expected to be present and engaged the full time. Flights may not be scheduled in a way that results in a participant missing any of the academy. Any schedule adjustments should be discussed with NEA staff in advance.