Log Books

This is a great resource from Roo Davis 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_6qmdLL-EyxEXhPKK6hsfBilZ-cMUNb7ocIEne6v96s/edit?usp=sharing

Feel free to share this resource with your peers but note the licence for use.

My thoughts on this logbook: it's AWESOME. I love excel spreadsheets.

But as an employer for more than 10 years, I have never looked at a logbook for more than 1 minute. I just look to see if it's got some entries in the right categories, and then I get to grilling you with questions or taking you into the field to show me what you can do, or calling your references (or calling my references who know you!).

Another reason I don't use this is that it is overwhelming. At the end of a massive week of work: sodden, tired, sore - the last thing I want to do is fill out a form (even an awesome form like this one!) If you need something less, then here's what I'd recommend:

• the date

• name of company (an acronym is fine)

• your role

• the location 

• the activity

• the client group

So for me, when I was a young guide I would write:

27.02.2009 BMAC, solo guide, serendipity canyon, 3 clients (leisure)

or for outdoor education:

13 - 19 Oct 2008, SBA, group leader, Crosslands: highropes, canoe, flying fox, hike, camp. 15 year 9 girls. 

I want to argue that the role of a logbook is mostly about demonstrating currency of competence (7.7.5 in the core GPG), not competence itself. And so my much pared down log book will serve that purpose.

Competence itself should be assessed in other ways by an employer (covered elsewhere in section 7.7 of the core GPG).