They identified a consistent need, researched the activity, and codified it into to a formal field of study. The delivery of this study establishes general operating procedures that when followed, result in the successful completion of a task.

The results are amazingly consistent. Human error accounts for variation in success rates, but far and large these training procedures are highly effective.

These are types of training programs and services known as certification programs.

Certification programs have common characteristics that set them apart from presentations and seminars.

1. Certification programs are developed to meet a specific and obvious need.

2. Certification programs create and maintain a system for successfully performing specific tasks.

3. Certification programs are taught by certified trainers to insure the students understand the concepts and standards of procedures being set forth.

4. Certification programs are not written by one person. They are collaborative efforts by experts in many different fields.

5. Certification programs do not declare proficiency in a skill, but they do signify that an individual has gone through an organization-approved training program.

Certification programs are developed to meet a specific and obvious need.

The Certified Public Accountant designate was created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. It was created to safeguard the theft of money. Before these standards were adopted all types of unscrupulous accounting practices went undetected, and monies were easily hidden or embezzled. The general public did not trust the financial institutions.

The banking and financial industries needed a standard to inspire the public’s confidence that their monies were safe and that everyone was on the same team.

Since its introduction, the CPA certification test has grown and evolved into a major field of study and is taught in universities.

It has been successful in meeting a specific and obvious need.

Some certification programs create and maintain a system for successfully performing tasks.

CPR certified courses presented by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association have successfully met the challenge of providing life saving skills to people around the world. They are truly amazing programs. In a few short hours, individuals learn life-saving procedures that greatly increase the chance of survival for the victim.

While there is no guarantee that this will happen, the chances of saving a life are multiplied just by knowing the system.

Therefore, CPR Certification is successful at teaching a systemized method of how to perform a set of tasks.

Certification programs are taught by certified trainers to insure the students understand the underlying concepts, standards and procedures being set forth.

Certification programs are taught by certified trainers who have received their training from the certifying organization.

This is done to insure that the integrity of the information is true to the underlying concepts of the program, and that the information is both accurate and current. Certified trainers are trained in the system and tested to insure their understanding of the pertinent concepts and methods, and that they are able to pass it on to others.

Certified trainers keep their knowledge up-to-date, and relate current information to students as needed.

It is understood that anyone can obtain a CPR book written by the American Red Cross and teach themselves CPR procedures. They can even teach others from the book. However, this does not make them certified CPR trainers. They are merely people who are teaching from a proven qualified set of materials.

Discussion with CPR trainers about this topic is surprising. Most don’t care that anyone can relay information from the book. The information they teach is so important to them that they would rather have it bootlegged and passed on to others than not disseminated.

They do underscore that certified trainers spend more time with the topic, and represent an organization whose primary focus is saving lives, and are more effective in delivering the information by virtue of their continuing education.

Certification programs are not written by one person. They are collaborative efforts by experts in many different fields.

Certification programs require the viewpoints of a variety of experts. No one person is going to have the full scope of knowledge skills to author and implement a complex study on a topic, and then create an educational delivery system and certification program about that topic.

The CPA designate requires accountants from different fields to create a robust program. Personal accountants, business accountants, corporate accountants, and others have contributed to the program that is now taught at universities.

Expertise is not gained merely by reading a book, taking a course or dabbling in a field of interest. Expertise is gained by study, applied knowledge, and practice. Expertise requires time.

The members of a certification program’s development team have years of real time experience in their particular fields. They carry with them the credentials and designates they have earned over a period of years. The combined knowledge of these individuals is what makes the certification program significant.

Students engaged in a certified program have greater advantage of wider and more in-depth perspectives of experts than students in self-study.

Certification programs do not declare proficiency in a skill, but it does signify that an individual has gone through an organization-approved training program.

The organizations listed above do not certify a person as an expert in a field of study. Certification is recognition that an individual has successfully completed a specialized course of study by qualified trainers.

Successful completion typically depends on three factors:

1) Participants have followed a defined curriculum during the class. No deviations have taken place.

2) The course is delivered by a certified trainer representing the certifying organization.

3) Participants have passed a proficiency test to insure that baseline information was understood. Sometimes people do fail during the certification process.

Honoring Participants’ Certifications

For most participants of a certification course, successful course completion may be mandatory for their careers, licensure, etc. DM Training participants who take the Certified DM Training program are there because they intend to use what they learn. These are the best students because they are there by choice.

The mere participation of these individuals is encouraging. They are the ones who have taken the initiative and are preparing themselves to be of service to their communities.

The Council of Tribes recognizes and honors their commitment and their value by providing a DM Certification card upon their successful completion of this rigorous two day program.

This honors their efforts, and signifies to others that they have successfully completed the training program.

To have Certified DMs in a community is a big plus. Private play parties, small clubs, and large organizations all want their guests have a positive experience. They want to have a knowledgeable DM available to them.

Certified DM trainees are the people who have gone out of their way to become qualified. Honor them by taking advantage of their commitment to safe play.