The Society Leaders' BRIEF

Volume 1 Issue 4 - August 2006

ISA is fortunate to have over 1,200 volunteers working in the various leadership roles available via society units - Sections, Districts, Divisions, Standards - and the society itself. Although dedicated to a particular activity, we are one organization in pursuit of a common objective: serving the membership and industries we represent. To be most effective as a leader, a broad range of information about society happenings is needed. The Society Leaders' BRIEF, a bi-monthly resource, is intended to draw your attention to the facts that can enable and empower your volunteer service.

Yes, you are an important team player….

ISA leaders are in an excellent position to help spread the word locally about ISA EXPO 2006, and a great collection of tools is available to help you do just that. These resources - you guessed it - are on the web. Your awareness of some new features may enable you to direct people toward a program of special interest to them. For instance, the Birds-of-a-Feather (BOF) Roundtables provide an opportunity for users of industrial automation solutions to openly discuss their experiences in an uncensored, unscripted setting. The Young Automation Professionals Fest (YAPFEST - free food and a band!) for professionals and students 30 and under will appeal to many people with whom you interact between now and the show - 17-19 October 2006, Reliant Center, Houston, TX. Regardless of your primary ISA leadership commitment, taking a few minutes to get acquainted with the extras of EXPO will serve you well. You might help someone find the most useful personal benefit to them at EXPO 2006 - and possibly learn quite a bit that is directly useful to yourself! Be sure to mention these options when EXPO is discussed. Click here to access the ISA EXPO Leader resources.

ISA Student Games Sponsors

Several ISA units are sponsoring the Games again this year at EXPO. They are the Life Members Committee and both the Analysis and Power Industry Divisions. Sincere thanks to the key volunteers who made these sponsorships happen. Is your company a sponsor of the 2006 Games? If so, many thanks. Here's who is involved....Gold sponsors are: Ardent Services, 3D Instruments, Emerson Process Management, Honeywell, and Rosemount Analytical. You'll see a banner with the Gold sponsor's names flying over the Games Booth - #1100 on the exhibit floor. Both Emerson and Honeywell are providing competition problems and the equipment to work the problems on 17 October. And Honeywell is again providing a special event gift to participants. The International Student Competition Committee is expecting eleven teams, representing Canada, Russia, Italy, Mexico and the US. If you would like to know more about Games sponsorship, check out the information flyer - look in the left navigation bar on the Games web page.

Covering the globe with InTech....

Did you know? There's more than one way to read InTech magazine. Members now can sign up for the interactive, digital version. Obviously, those of you in "out-of-the-way places" may recognize this option as an excellent benefit, particularly if local Members are waiting a long time for delivery. It is frustrating, too, when ISA mails the magazine to the confirmed correct address, but it never reaches the intended recipient. There's a gremlin in the mail system! When you hear about lost issues of InTech, remind Members of this digital option. The digital version has all the same content - editorial, ads, everything - as the print version. The big difference is that you have it online within a few days of printing. Members can check out the July 2006 sample issue at www.isa-intech-digital.org.

ISA Standards Opportunity

There is a particular need for user Members by the SP12 committee - anyone interested in participating in electrical equipment in hazardous locations standards work is welcome to join them in charming Charleston on 25-29 September. Learn more about the committee and their meeting plans online.

Leaders' Fall Meeting

Information about the Fall Leaders Meeting, including registration and the most current schedule, can be found at www.isa.org. Look in the left navigation bar under General Information > Leadership Resources > Governance > Leaders Meetings > Fall Meeting. Or go to www.isa.org/lm. Of course, next spring you'll go to the same place to find details about the Spring Leaders Meeting. Be sure to share this location information in your newsletters and conversations.

It's a First - and your support is needed

ISA's First Annual Marketing & Sales Summit - 13-15 September 2006 - is loaded with great content. There will be keynotes and plenary sessions from Gartner, Inc., ABB, and Honeywell, among others. The Summit is specifically designed for today's senior sales executives in the automation and manufacturing industries. Because it is new - a first happening - the creators are very excited, enthusiastic, and eager to share information about the event. They want every marketing and sales person you know to be aware of this great opportunity to meet, greet, and learn at the Omni Downtown in Austin, TX. Will you help them get the word out? Also, sponsorship opportunities are available. Sponsors of ISA's Marketing & Sales Summit will have high visibility throughout the conference, including special signage and inclusion on the Web site and conference program. Have Members contact ISA for details and pricing. And share this link with interested Members. Click here to register or view the event program . Division questions of all kinds can be directed to Rodney Jones at 919-990-9419.

Compliance with Certification and Qualifications

When inquiries from certification candidates and renewing CAP, CCST, and CIMM certified individuals arise, staff often gains a fresh perspective on the information that ISA provides to help in the certification process. Information in several recent emails, as well as comments received from ISA certification candidates, brought to the forefront the importance of codes of conduct.

Staff Administrator Kristy Becker, who works with the certification programs, receives monthly emails from the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), of which ISA is a member, and the National Certification Commission (NCC). NOCA promotes excellence in competency assessment for practitioners in all occupations and professions, and NCC shares administrative and legal issues with the community to help better the practices of all certification program staff.

In an email article titled Content Within Codes of Conduct by Richard Jaffeson, Executive Director of NCC, he states, "The vast majority of certification programs, approximately 85%, have codes of conduct or ethics statements for their designates which are signed and dated as part of the initial candidate application. Most of these codes are concise generalized references addressing positive practitioner behaviors, although some are often specific, outlining procedures with accompanying enforcement provisions."

Below is the compliance statement included in the Certified Automation Professional® application. The Certified Control Systems Technician® and Certified Industrial Maintenance Mechanic® program applications have the same statement.

I certify that the information I have provided in this application is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. I authorize ISA to contact my current and any former employers and educational institutions to verify the provided information, and I waive any and all rights of confidentiality or privacy with regard to the release of all employment or educational information relevant to my application to ISA for recognition as a Certified Automation Professional.

I hereby waive and release ISA, my current and former employers, and any educational institutions I have attended, and their respective officers, directors, and representatives, from any claims arising from the disclosure of such information to ISA for the purposes of ISA evaluation of this application. I understand that ISA will reject any application that contains false or fraudulent information, and that, in that event, I will not receive reimbursement of any fees paid, nor credit for any examinations taken. If the fraud is discovered after certification is awarded, certification can be revoked.

The CAP program provides recognition and documentation of a professional's knowledge, experience and education in automation. Certification status does not guarantee a level of performance by a professional in a particular situation, and ISA does not guarantee the competency or performance of any certified individual.

I understand and agree that any certification granted by ISA does not constitute licensure to practice or provide services, whether for a fee or not, when required by federal, state, or local law. I further understand and agree that I must apply for any state required licenses for practice in the specialty field only through the applicable state agencies.

I understand that all material submitted related to this application becomes the property of ISA upon receipt and that none of the materials will be returned to me. ISA will release no information contained in the application materials to any third party. I understand that the policy and procedures for appealing a decision of the Certification Board are available upon request.

I understand that any certification by ISA is limited to a three year period and must be renewed in a timely manner in order to continue as a CAP.

I have read the CAP Handbook and understand the requirements for the certification for which I am applying. I agree to follow the ISA Code of Ethics. I understand that if my application does not meet the requirements, I will automatically be rescheduled to the next available test date. I understand the application fee is non-refundable. If certified, I hereby request that ISA include me in any published listings of CAPs.

This statement details the importance of the paperwork that must be completed before approval is granted to take an ISA certification exam. The exams are performance based, meaning a person with certain levels of education and experience should be able to pass the exam because of the knowledge they have gained through that education and experience, not through memorization of codes and theory. They must be able to document their education and experience to earn the right to sit for an exam, which is why the application includes space to detail that education and experience.

It also advises candidates to fully read the program handbook, including the fact that once certified, renewal is required in three years. All program information is available in print, or via the web at www.isa.org/certify.

Examples of other codes to live and work by include Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues, and Jackie Robinson's Nine Values. These two individuals lived the virtues and values that they shared with others, and ISA hopes that our certification candidates - CAPs, CCSTs, and CIMMs - will do the same.

As you have an opportunity to promote ISA certification, please help candidates and renewing CAPs, CCSTs, and CIMMs fully understand that the compliance statement they read and sign helps to maintain the credibility of ISA's certification programs, and the importance of the credential they have earned or hope to earn.

If candidates for certification, or those who need to renew their certification, ask you questions you cannot answer or make comments you would like addressed by ISA, please feel free to contact Kristy Becker, CMP, Certification Administrator at 919-990-9219 or kbecker@isa.org.

If you would like to suggest, or submit for consideration, content for the Society Leaders' BRIEF, Laura Crumpler will be happy to hear from you: 919-990-9232 or lcrumpler@isa.org.