Certification keeps its currency.As the skill sets and body of knowledge of association management evolve, the professional certification Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure that he/she is qualified to perform a job or task. process helps keep association executives in a lifetime-learning mode. I'll take this opportunity to tell you about the recent evolution of the body of knowledge and related examination for ASAE's Certified Association Executive Certified Association Executive (CAE) is a professional certification sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Candidates for the certification must meet certain educational and experience requirements as well as pass an examination before the (CAE (1) (Computer-Aided Engineering) Software that analyzes designs which have been created in the computer or that have been created elsewhere and entered into the computer. ) designation and to explain why my own experience reflects the positive nature of the certification exercise. Though a career association executive and an active member of ASAE ASAE American Society of Association Executives ASAE American Society of Agricultural Engineers (Society for Engineering in Agricultural, Food, and Biological Systems) ASAE Alkali-Sulfite-Anthraquinone-Ethanol for many years before becoming its president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. in 2003, I had until just last year put off the process of obtaining my CAE designation. Similar to many of you, perhaps, it wasn't that I didn't recognize the value of professional certification in general or the CAE program in particular. It was more the realization of the significant time commitment required to properly prepare for the exam--and to get the most out of the intensive review process leading up to it. With 33 years of experience working in voluntary organizations, including 13 years as CEO of the American Diabetes Association The American Diabetes Association, or the ADA, is an American health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of , I felt I had considerable on-the-job training in managing associations, so why take the time to obtain my CAE. Accepting the CEO slot at ASAE, of course, necessitated that I obtain the designation that we administer and promote to our members. And, the fact is, I was very much looking forward to the experience. Having to carve out to make or get by cutting, or as if by cutting; to cut out. - Shak. See also: Carve time from my schedule to focus again on my own professional development was a great opportunity. The demands of running an association are great, as I know my colleagues will attest To solemnly declare verbally or in writing that a particular document or testimony about an event is a true and accurate representation of the facts; to bear witness to. To formally certify by a signature that the signer has been present at the execution of a particular writing so as . It's not easy to pull ourselves away from our day-to-day responsibilities to refresh our batteries and to reaffirm re·af·firm tr.v. re·af·firmed, re·af·firm·ing, re·af·firms To affirm or assert again. re why we continue to care deeply about our organizations and the association management profession. However, having completed the process, I can highly recommend it--even to those of you who are reluctant, as I was, to commit the time and energy. The experience met all of my expectations. I would say that the benefits are these: Appreciation of study emersion e·mer·sion n. The act of emerging; emergence. [From Latin  mersus, past participle of . As I began the studying process, I
quickly realized the breadth of resources made available to CAE
candidates. The study aids and recommended readings were all beneficial
to my preparation and served as a good reminder to me of how many
different areas of expertise our jobs require. When I turned to some of
my peers for advice, I found a vast network of CAEs who are more than
willing to share their thoughts and experiences with those preparing for
the exam. I continue to appreciate the importance that mentoring plays
in our professional development.
Recognition of a comprehensive test. The exam itself was challenging and comprehensive, focusing on the knowledge inherent to the practice of association management. While the exam that I took adequately reflected the profession's priorities, the examination content outline has recently been updated (a process that occurs every five to seven years). Thanks to the support of the ASAE Foundation and work of the CAE Commission, a new CAE Exam Content Outline was prepared last year. More than 1,500 association professionals were surveyed as part of a job analysis study, which was designed to update the content outline with the changes that have occurred in recent years to the knowledge seen as essential to the profession. The new content outline will take effect starting with the May 2005 CAE exam. I commend the members of the CAE Commission for volunteering their time to ensure the validity and continued credibility of the CAE program. Well-deserved recognition. No professional certification program is complete without proper recognition. I was pleased to join the CAE classes of 2003 and 2004 for the credentialing recognition ceremony and reception at ASAE Minneapolis 2004. I also want to extend my congratulations to those who recently obtained the CAE designation. I am proud to have my CAE noted, and I know that I am in good company. For the roughly 3,000 association professionals who have achieved professional certification, the defining characteristic of them all may well be a commitment to lifelong learning Lifelong learning is the concept that "It's never too soon or too late for learning", a philosophy that has taken root in a whole host of different organisations. Lifelong learning is attitudinal; that one can and should be open to new ideas, decisions, skills or behaviors. and an ongoing pursuit of knowledge that helps them be better leaders. I urge anyone who is eligible to consider undertaking this extremely worthwhile endeavor. You won't be disappointed. JOHN H. GRAHAM John Hugh Graham (April 1, 1835 - July 11, 1895) was a U.S. Representative from New York. Born in Belfast, Ireland, GrahamImmigrated in 1836 to the United States with his parents, who settled in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the public schools of Brooklyn. IV, CAE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] J. H. Graham IV President and CEO jgraham@asaenet.org |
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