A course in surgery is not a course on how to manage a Medical Consulting Rooms. Similarly, a course in celebrancy is not a course in Marketing or Business Studies. Yet the skill-set of being a celebrant does require celebrants to keep accurate records and liaise with clients in accordance with reliable business principles in an efficient and ordered manner.
There are areas in business principles and professional knowledge which our students wish to understand, and which, in practice will enhance their Best Practice ideals. Providing well-conducted Rites of Passage can be a self-sustaining profession, so this Module considers the main components of running a celebrant small business well, and the ways in which these principles apply to the professional celebrant.
On completing this Module, you should:
- recognize the historical and cultural reasons which make it hard for
celebrants to persuade themselves and the public that they are actually small business professionals - be equipped to keep track of the range of normal business expenses
- be familiar with appropriate computer software and the effective use of a database of clients and contacts
- be able to analyse the components of your business and thus have a properly formulated business plan and budget for its immediate and long term future
- be able to describe the celebrant’s ideal premises
- be aware of ceremony venues and the equipment each venue contains, especially equipment for music and PA / Public Address equipment (PA)
- be familiar with the role of Professional Associations in providing Philosophies of Excellence, Mission Statements, Standards of Service and Codes of Ethics and how these have evolved and their effect in practice
- be aware of such issues as presentation, image, service and marketing
- understand the importance of networking and appropriate advertising.
Assessment
Assessment tasks are on the last few pages of the module manual. All assessment tasks are carefully read, critiqued and assessed by our Dean of Studies, Dr Chris Watson.
Assessment is by the following methods:
- Learning journal – a diary relating your studies to the world in which you live, includes compulsory research and writing tasks where necessary.
- Research questions – on selected written material provided with the module manual, books, DVDs and website links.
- Fieldwork – a structured analysis of 3 successful businesses and 3 business savvy celebrants.
1. a structured interview with a “business person” celebrant i.e.someone who has successfully marketed themselves.
2. description of appropriate premises, business furniture and equipment and computer software. i.e. what you think you need to set yourself up in a business like way.
3. an analysis of cost effective marketing and promotion.
Workload and Due Dates
The time envisioned for working on each unit is equivalent to 10 weeks at 8 hours per week. The College has not set dates for submission of individual items. However, unless special permission to extend is granted, this module is to be completed within 6 months. Temporary suspensions of enrolment are negotiable, however fees for modules which have not been completed are not refundable.
Readings, Questions and Assignments
All manuals and DVDs are provided once the College receives full payment for the module. If the module manuals, books, DVDs and other items are downloaded from our website a discount will apply. Otherwise the items will be sent by post, airmail where necessary.
Transferring any material belonging to the College to a third party without prior permission is unethical and strictly forbidden.
Correspondence
Correspondence on administrative matters, including enrolments, are to be directed to the Registrar of Diplomas, Deborah Roffey.
And if on matters concerning the module, enquiries are to be directed to the Dean of Studies, Dr Chris Watson.
International College of Celebrancy (Est.1995) 