A bank of knowledge ... in some areas.

The theme of this month's magazine is Wood Doors. Let's see...what do I know about wood doors? Well, they're beautiful and I like them. That's about it. As you should know by now, I'm not a technical person. Nor am I an industry person - although I've certainly learned a lot about the industry in the four years that I've been at DHI.

My expertise is in association management. My knowledge and experience level have also qualified me as a CAE (Certified Association Executive). DHI's executive director Jerry Heppes also holds that credential. Although the program has been in existence for many years, there are only about 2,200 CAEs in the world. To earn a CAE designation, an individual has to have at least five years' experience as an association executive, has to submit a notebook of background material demonstrating that experience in order to take the certification exam and then must successfully pass an eight-hour test on all aspects of associations.

As sometimes happens (probably more times than I'd like to admit), when I sit down to write my column, I don't have a clear idea of the direction it will be taking. Then (hopefully) an idea will form. That's what happened with this month's column. When trying to explain what is involved in becoming and remaining a CAE, it occurred to me that it is probably very similar to industry credentials that you may be more familiar with. Naturally, the two that I'm more familiar with are the DHI credentials of AHC and CDC.

This procedure to become a CAE is very similar to the DHI certifications Architectural Hardware Consultant or Certified Door Consultant. To become an AHC or CDC also requires years of industry experience, including an apprenticeship, and the individual must successfully pass a two-day, comprehensive test. (And I thought an eight-hour test was bad.)

Just as CAE is recognized as a mark of excellence in the association community, the AHC and CDC are recognized as marks of excellence in the door and hardware industry.

My CAE certification must be renewed every three years through accumulating points. This is primarily achieved through continuing education - attending seminars, conventions and other educational activities. Points are also given for teaching classes, writing articles, etc.

I can then relate this to the new DHI Seal Program which encourages consultants to go the extra step to be licensed by DHI to use an official seal/stamp on schedules and other documents. They also have to renew their license every three years by accumulating points through continuing education - attending seminars, teaching classes, writing articles, etc.

Holding special certifications identifies an individual as a knowledgeable professional in their particular field. And just as being a CAE benefits me personally, being certified in the door and hardware industry helps individuals in their careers. But focusing on continuing education benefits entire industries as well - whether it's the association community or the door and hardware industry - because it constantly increases the level of knowledge. That's good for everyone.

This column is a departure from my usual musings in that it focuses more on DHI matters. However, whether you, the reader, are a DHI member or not, you are a person who is involved in the door and hardware industry - whether you're a distributor, an architect, a specifier, a code official, a sales agent, a manufacturer or any of the wide range of individuals who are so important to this industry. It seems safe then to assume you care about the level of knowledge in this field. Committing to continuing education and keeping current are especially important in this industry since it is so involved in life safety issues. And that's where I draw the line on comparisons because, truly, when it comes to life safety and comparing the importance of what you do to what I do, there is no comparison.