Speed reading and retention training – with an invite to bring your own chopstick – is being offered to councillors who sit on any of the committees or the board of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CAPCA). The 90-minute training session – via Zoom – is among a package of training courses on offer to all councillors and members of CAPCA.
“The ability to absorb information quickly and efficiently is an important skill,” says a report to the CAPCA board on June 5.
“This session will build on your existing reading talents, increasing your base reading speed and providing you with strategies for careful analysis of important documents.”
The report says the course will cover:
The process of reading
How to minimise barriers to fast reading
Using different reading styles
Ways to maximise eye/brain relationship
Reading from computer and tablet screens
Careful reading for understanding and retention
Ahead of the course members will be asked to complete two ‘short activities’.
These will be sent to all those who accept the meeting invitation.
Firstly, a pre-course speed reading test to carry out before the session “which will help you evaluate your present reading speed.
“And please would you also have either a chopstick (yes, really!) or a sharpened pencil handy plus a document you need to read (a report or an agenda would work well)”.
After the session, attendees will receive a copy of the PowerPoint slides, together with an A4 digital handout: ‘Reading for Speed and Retention.
Like other courses on offer CAPCA will conduct an online survey to provide them “feedback on the training and help us provide better training for members”
Other sessions will include code of conduct and equality diversity and inclusion training.
“Member development is considered to be essential in providing support, knowledge and guidance to members, both new and experienced,” says the CAPCA report.
“Whilst none of the training sessions provided are mandatory, members are encouraged to attend especially when sessions are subject specific relating to the work of committees they attend.”
