Hosting a locksport seminar

[hydruh]

As many of you know, I study a martial art that practices stealth and problem solving in our day to day training. Even since I have gotten into this hobby, my sensei has though that a seminar on the topic would fit in well, because it is so much a part of the haveaproblem/solveaproblem attitude of the art. Since we all know how to kill people and don't do it, I figure that teaching how locks work is probably pretty safe.

Anyway, I am hosting a seminar later this month, with 14 people. If all goes well, we might be a Columbus branch of LSI (if there isn't one already - I shoulda checked! A lot of the guys in the club are mechanically inclined, and several are security professionals and officers of the law. All of us like to know How Stuff Works. It should be a good time.

I contacted LockPickShop.com and they cut me a GREAT deal on picks in bulk, and I have a great selection of cylinders thanks to the Ace hardware auction that I have posted about and the Zeke auction. I have repinned them in 1, 2, 3 and 5 pin configs, and a few with security pins.

My plan is to go through the presentation that Deviant gives at DefCon (with full credit given, of course) and maybe watch a video or two from the LSS+ CD.

Does anyone have any pointers on running this kind of seminar? It's really just a bunch of friends getting together (and two ladies are coming - power to the fairer race!) and learning haw stuff works. I can handle that part, but if YOU were giving a seminar to 14 newbies, what would YOU do?

S

[selim]

what you should do is invite me, and pay air fare,and hotel fee's

Thanks I'll be waiting for my ticket
selim

[hydruh]

what you should do is invite me, and pay air fare,and hotel fee's

That's quite a good idea, but since I will already have a house full of ninjas, I am not sure if there will be room.

Other than THAT, does anyone have any ideas?

S

[Jaakko]

selim, here is a good way to get room to that NinjaCon: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2386551954240374805&q=ask+a+ninja&ei=9okkSOP1Boa4igKp0divDA



I have one advice: Practice your speech or learn the headlines

[Legion303]

since I will already have a house full of ninjas, I am not sure if there will be room.

If they were REAL ninjas there would be plenty of room.

-steve

[hydruh]

If they were REAL ninjas there would be plenty of room.

You don't know these ninjas.

S

[dougfarre]

Ideas!? Hydruh seriously. You want ideas, I have an entire hard drive (mental and physical) full of ideas. What are you looking for? I have everything you need in surplus.

[hydruh]

Ideas!? Hydruh seriously. You want ideas, I have an entire hard drive (mental and physical) full of ideas. What are you looking for? I have everything you need in surplus.

Well then hit me!!! PM sent.

S

[nostromo]

So how did it go? Sounds like a great working seminar!!

For a hands on workshop, 14 can be a lot of people. Some will 'get it' right away and want to move on, some stay off track the whole time, some are more into socializing, some will need a lot of extra attention. I used to teach woodcarving hands-on and found this out the hard way.

Can you asses the learners before starting? Make sure there are no more than 3-4 in each group with one "mechanically inclined" in each, and no more than one 'needs attention' in each, etc.

Alternate a "presentation for everyone", then break up into groups with CLEAR expectations of what they are to work on, preferably with a checklist of sorts. Most won;t need this, but the few that should use a check list but don;t get one will more than make up the time . . .

Another thought - these kinda things always cost bucks when you want to put on a good seminar. Copying is especially a killer, remember how much that printer cartridge cost you? It's not at all impolite to ask for a small charge to cover incidentals like this.

If this is going to be all day, either have food brought in (have an order sheet passed out at the start of the day AND collect the money) or recommend 2-3 nearby places that are inexpensive and move customers out quickly. If there's a local charity or fund raiser for part of your group, this might be a good opportunity. Set an exact 'we start back up' time, and since you know that a fair portion won;t come back on time have a gathering activity for a half hour or so- recap of the morning, show a video, have advanced practice, etc.

Some folks are going to want / need snacks and (caffeinated) drinks- put out a table with limited fare and salt a donation jar with enough coins and bucks to make change. Have a sign that suggests a quarter a cup or whatever. Sorry, I don't know what Ninjas' do/ do not do for beverages- just trying to be helpful.

If you decide to do this again for a more open public, maybe advertising to the local locksmith shops, the local police (talk with the forensics guys first to get an 'attitude check'), junior college with VoTech programs? If you'll cover auto lockouts, maybe the local Highway Patrol troop, car dealerships with training programs as well as the above?

Break a leg!