PTAP 2015
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
PTAP Annual Conference
Holiday Inn Harrisburg East, Harrisburg, PA
June 24-25, 2015—TMI Institute June 23, 2015
On The Move - Again
Our annual conference is rapidly approaching. This year there is a bit more confusion, or lack of
understanding, than in previous years. So allow me to update you on the many changes and new
direction we are heading at PTAP.
Let’s start with the location. The conference has been moved one more time, and I trust this will be
the last time. We are holding it at the Harrisburg Holiday Inn East. As you know, we moved last year
from State College to Grantville in an attempt to get closer to our membership. Based on several
factors, it was clear that we needed to keep looking for a place that meets the needs of the
association and its members.
The choice was to return to a place we have used in the past for seminars. The Holiday Inn is located
at the Swatara exit, just the second exit north of the Turnpike on 283, it is no more than five minutes
from the pike.
This single Holiday Inn has been purchased by the Red Lion chain. If you are not familiar with the
name, it is because they are a west coast based hotel chain. Renovations to bring the place up to
their standards will be taking place shortly and no doubt they will be ongoing for some time as they
renovate the entire property.
Unlike other sites we have used in the past, this one has a host of things to do from tennis and
basketball, indoor and outdoor pools that are coupled with nightly cookouts. I make it my business to
stay at our chosen place for the conference so I can experience the environment prior to your arrival.
I have now been there twice, with a third night rapidly approaching, and I can tell you that the staff
cannot be more hospitable. The accommodations have been great, and I feel as though I have not
even had a chance to really enjoy the other amenities.
I am now eagerly awaiting our time there in June. I expect to be there for some time as the news of
our new location has brought smiles from our speakers, our state partners and I trust you, when you
arrive and enjoy all that they have to offer.
PTAP Annual Conference - 2015 Style
This year’s conference starts out with the most confusing topic in years, Hours of Service. Our presenter does
the training for the state police and will ensure that you have a clear understanding of this matter so you can
provide safer transportation services to your customers.
Our second session will feature an HR director that will spell out the recently passed legislation that is lovingly
called “pass the trash”. Find out why this was passed and how all three of the clearances impact your department and/or your subcontractors.
Session three of the first morning will bring back an old favorite. There will be several colored three by five
cards at each seating position. These are color coded for each of our state partners. At this time we will ask that
you fill them out with your questions so that the moderator can ask the panel of state representatives your
specific question anonymously. Of course, spontaneous questions will be graciously accepted as well.
Lunch will feature something special from the kitchen as we tempt your taste buds. The kitchen at the Inn has
done a great job with their menu selections and we will get to see their talents used to prepare us a memorable
dining experience.
The “sleeper” session will be interactive to ensure you don’t dose off. “What If” is something we all think about,
but then hope it won’t happen in our district. Planning is key in many situations, but what do you do with the
unexpected, or when the planning breaks down for whatever reason. Things such as accidents, evacuations
and emergency calls will be addressed along with why a steno pad is an invaluable tool in many more situations than you might expect.
The break will be full of light beverages and snacks as we don’t want to ruin your appetite or excitement for the
banquet later on this evening.
What are your busses running on, besides the tires that hit the pavement? Roush Industries will give us a
demonstration on the benefits of using propane as an alternative fuel for your fleet. Alternative fuels have been
around for more than 40 years, but technology is now making some of them a more viable option.
This is now the time to mingle with the other attendees and get to know one another. There will be a president’s
Reception immediately prior to the banquet.
The banquet will now feature our awards ceremony, a motivational speaker (s) and the best meal of the
conference.
Day two will begin with breakfast and the trade show. This is a key element of the conference, as our state
partners will be present to answers questions and provide you with updates. Our vendors will also be
participating in this discussion.
PDE will take center stage as they answer your questions about state reports, due dates, mileage collection
and how to deal with problems associated with your report. Essentially, this session will be the Do’s and Don’ts
of PDE 1049.
Yes, lunch time will have encroached upon our learning time. But we have to provide fuel for the afternoon so
you brain cells can function properly.
A brief amount of time will be used right after lunch to get your opinions about future PTAP events. Instead of
the typical “write it down”, we will all brainstorm together to plan our next conference and future seminars.
Saving money in transportation is important. Adjusting strategies to make real world changes while improving
your operation is far more difficult than most can imagine. The pro’s and con’s of joint service agreements will
be discussed with the only district currently in a legal agreement with another district to share services. Both are
district owned operations and this very successful project is about to be kicked into the next higher gear. Learn
how you can avoid the pitfalls of jumping into things without asking the right questions and much more.
A short break and we are into the last section of the day.
Stress is simply an opportunity to excel. WE must deal with this brutally vicious part of life in a manner that
ensures that we can survive what happens every day of this incredibly exciting profession. The phrase goes like
this, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it! It makes a world of difference if you know why you took the job.
Stick around and find out what it can really be like to enjoy your job.
Pre-Conference—TMI Institute—June 23, 2015
Brass Tacks – The Truth about “TMI”
The challenge of developing an interesting agenda can be a daunting task. This year is no exception as many
“new” things are being added to enhance your overall experience.
For starters, there is now a separate, pre conference program called TMI. So let me spend some time on
exactly what TMI represents. For starters, it represents TOO MUCH INFORMATION. That is because every
time I make a presentation, the attendees tell me they got way more information than they were expecting.
Alright, is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Another definition of TMI is Transportation Management Institute. This is the one that makes my board
happiest as it focuses on exactly what we will be discussing for the 6 plus hours of the session. Lastly, because it will be in the shadows of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, it could be interpreted as that,
and that too makes sense. It makes sense because Middletown is just down the road a bit, and that during
the three part presentation we will be thoroughly discussing emergency management practices such as
evacuation planning.
The “TMI” sessions are designed for no less than two reasons. First, they are designed to give you the basics
of school transportation. Second, each of the three sessions will be focused on “newer” people in the industry
and what they think they know, what they do know and what they need to know. The faces in this business
are changing. The industry is looking for people that know what they are talking about even before they have
any experience on the job. Trust me, I get calls all the time to find people for openings in either a manager or
directors position. These three sessions were created to provide hardnosed information to get people in the
know.
Oh, that sounds boring. So let’s call it “the foundation essentials” for school transportation. This is by no
means going to be a session for the weak at heart. The starting point will be the things that scared you the
most on your first day. My first day was 32 plus years ago, which is why I will be the main presenter for the
day. Yes, this will be a Wayne’s World kind of presentation that will encompass the 32 years I have spent with
one school district and all that has happened during that period.
So you are not wondering, Springfield Township is an urban suburban school district that has seen more than
I wish to remember. Fortunately YOU will be in a great position to hear strategies that have been developed
over time and tested in reality much more than once.
You will be exposed to a “boot camp” type of program with little to be left untold and few stones that will not
be overturned. Quick paced and on point to make you understand why you need this particular training.
I will challenge you to listen and learn so your customers will benefit from your time with us. You will learn the
real reason you are in your job and it will be something that you will repeat to yourself over and over again.
Make no mistake about it, this is most definitely a situation where I am giving back to an industry that gave so
much to me.
Topics for this first session are sort of limited to the following –
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State Reports and Audits
Phone Calls and Office Management
Contact Information – Who Is In This With You
Joint Service Agreements
Scheduling, School Code and National Standards
Clearance Checks – Why Anyone Cares
Your questions with answers
Institute Schedule
8:00—8:30 am
8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Noon to 1:00 pm
Registration
Session
Lunch
At the end of this three days, for those that complete the program, I will personally deliver your framed certificate to you during a School Board meeting. Make no mistake about it, you will have a different perspective
when the dust settles. You will be amazed what you can do when you know what you can’t.
PTAP Annual Conference
Wednesday June 24, 2015 – Day 1
8:00—8:30 am Registration—Opening Remarks and
Conference updates
 Orientation of attendees and instructors
 Hours of service – a definitive and in-depth look at the criteria
surrounding Hours of Service as they relate to a school bus
driver. This is an extremely important part of the service we
provide. Clear up any confusion you have and get a full understanding sometimes confusing regulation. You don’t want
to miss this one, as it could be a matter of life and death.
 Human Resources Update for 2015—Emily Kehr
 Q & A Prep Time – Fill out colored index cards to be divided
and answered by Penn DOT, PSP, PDE
11:55—1:00 pm Lunch
 The “What If” Clinic – Crisis time in the office. Establishing
practices for the unavoidable situations that occur every day
but only in a transportation office.
 Accidents, evacuations, the infamous phone call, steno books
and the truth.
 A Panel for the ages – You have a question about what? This
is why you filled out cards during the Q&A prep time. The
MC will ask your question of the three state agency representatives so you can remain anonymous. No doubt this will be a
lively conversation with much laughter and fun facts to share.
 An Alternative – Propane as a motor fuel. A representative
from Rousch will be on hand to discuss the possibility of
using propane to power you buses and other vehicles. This
represents just one alternative fuel in a developing market.
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Alternative fuels have been around for more than 30 years.
Each has a story to tell, and every story have a different ending based on who the reader is. Get the answers you want to
become a more informed individual. Current users will be on
hand to ask questions of at the end of the presentation.
President’s Reception – Meet the Board and the officers of
the association
Our Annual Board meeting followed by the Annual Banquet
with Motivational Speaker
Thursday, June 25, 2015—Day 2
8:00-8:30 am
Registration and Breakfast with the Vendors
 Trade Show
 PDE – State Reporting – the Do’s and Don’ts of PDE 1049,
PennDOT Updates
12:00—1:00 pm Lunch
 Survey Time – Five quick questions with an equal number of
answers to offer our members references in the future.
 Initiatives and Innovations, joint service agreements,
conference, locations and time of year—Only the choir is
allowed to answer
 Still Waters – How do I handle the stress of the daily grind?
Who do I call if I don’t know the answer? Is this ever going
to end? Your key to a healthy life in the student transportation field.
 Certificate presentations and mentor assignments and
farewell’s
2015 Conference Early Bird Registration—by June 1, 2015—after—add $25
Name
Title
Please make check payable to:
PTAP
103 N. Pine Street
Middletown, PA 17057
District / IU
Address
Call (717) 856-2266 if you have any questions
or email [email protected]!
City
State
Telephone (
Zip Code
)
Email
 Member—$299*  NonMember—$345*
 Second Member from Same Agency—$275*
 Wed Only Member—$160* NonMember—$190*
 Thu Only Member—$130  NonMember—$160
 Transportation Institute Tuesday—$130
*includes banquet
A block of sleeping rooms has been
reserved at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East for
$89 single or double. Please call (717) 939–
7841 and notify them you are with the Pupil
Transportation Association of PA to
receive this special rate.
Visit the PTAP Website to register online using
PayPal! = www.ptap.org