New Member Handbook Your Guide to Becoming an Accredited Member of The National Certified Public Manager® Consortium Unofficial version, revised August 2015 This page intentionally left blank Thank you for your interest in the National Certified Public Manager® (CPM) Consortium. The New Member Handbook has been prepared to assist potential new members of the CPM Consortium in moving forward from interested party to associate member status and ultimately to accredited member status within the organization. The CPM Handbook will provide you with the information needed to achieve accreditation as a full member of the Consortium. The Handbook includes a copy of the Constitution and bylaws as well a representative sample of accreditation information and the core competencies required in each program. Also included are checklists and sample letters that will be useful to you as you seek a better understanding of the organization. All of the members of the CPM Consortium are eager to assist you as you go through the accreditation process. You are encouraged to work closely with your mentor and any of the other Consortium members. Each will be eager to assist you. We are here to help in any way we can. Respectfully yours, Mary Hamilton 2014-2015 Chair, Board of Directors National Certified Public Manager® Consortium Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2 The Mentor Program ................................................................................................... 4 The Accreditation Questionnaire ............................................................................ 5 Sample Program Accreditation Review Checklist ............................................ 8 Sample CPM Program Plan for Becoming an Accredited Program ...... 13 Template for Plan for Becoming an Accredited Program ............................ 28 Core Competencies of the National CPM Consortium .................................. 34 Bylaws of the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium ................ 35 Attachments - Sample Letters: Associate Membership 46 Active Membership 47 Initial Accreditation Review Request Letter 49 Continuing Accreditation Review Request Letter 50 Letter to Mentor Program 51 NOTE: In addition to this handbook, additional information about Consortium membership is available in the Standard Operating Procedures manual posted on the website or available from the administrator. Introduction This handbook is intended to provide you with a step-by-step guide to becoming an accredited member of the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium. Here is a general overview of that process: 1. Indicate your interest in conducting a CPM Program by submitting a request for Associate Membership (see sample p. 46). Only one organization may operate a CPM Program within a state or government jurisdiction. 2. Once Associate Membership has been granted by a vote of the Executive Council of the Consortium, you will receive a letter from the Consortium Chair welcoming you to our organization. That letter will identify an accredited member assigned as your “mentor program” to guide you through the development of your CPM program. 3. Associate memberships are for two-year periods and may be renewed on written request. The Consortium ‘membership year’ is July 1 – June 30; annual membership dues are $1000. Dues for those joining mid-year are pro-rated on a quarterly basis. 3. Develop your program, using the guidance provided in this handbook. You are encouraged to contact any and all members of the Consortium for copies of existing class materials they use. The current list of members can be found at: http://www.cpmconsortium.org *. Click on link for Board of Directors. An email can be sent to all program directors on your behalf via the Consortium Administrator, Peggy Stewart [email protected] . * NOTE: Our website is currently hosted by Texas State University and that will show when the web site opens. 4. Once development of your program is in progress, you may request in writing Active Membership (see sample p.47). The application must include a letter from the governor/university president or other appropriate governmental/university officials who demonstrate both organizational and financial support for the National CPM Consortium New Member Handbook August 2015 1 proposed program. Active membership is granted by a vote of the full Consortium Board of Directors. 5. Once you have a complete program in operation that meets all standards listed in the Bylaws of the Consortium (Accreditation Assessment Questionnaire on pp. 6-8; bylaws on pp. 36-44), you may request an Initial Accreditation Review (see sample letter p. 50) NOTE: The program does not have to graduate a class before requesting an initial accreditation review, only have students enrolled and in the process of completing requirements. But, you cannot give the “certified public manager®” designation until your program is accredited. Please note that the term “certified public manager” is a registered service mark by the US Patent and Trademark Office and may only be used by the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium and it’s associate, active and accredited programs. When using the registered service mark it must always include the ® mark following “manager”. CPM, as all letter combinations not part of a logo, is not registered and is not restricted in use National CPM Consortium New Member Handbook August 2015 2 The Mentor Program The accredited CPM Program that has been assigned as your mentor is a valuable resource as you begin to develop your program. Below is a list of the responsibilities of the mentor program. You may expect all the support described here. Purpose: . To orient and familiarize the new associate member with CPM. To actively provide advice and support to the new associate member through the process of accreditation. Mentor Role and Responsibilities . Make initial contact to talk with the new associate member. Encourage and support the associate member in the process of program design and development. Have regular contact with the associate member. Know what resources are available and/or how to access information regarding resources. Mentee Role and Responsibilities . Follow-up if initial contact has not been made. Use mentor as first resource. Be prepared for mentor meetings: Where are you in the process, What is working and what is not working, Next steps. Keep mentor informed on progress: Share materials; ask for specific guidance, Accept responsibility for your accreditation. The Mentor-Mentee Relationship Assess how well the relationship is working. Either party can discuss with the Consortium Administrator how well the relationship is working and request a change if appropriate. Do not be afraid to say I don’t know or to contact Peggy Stewart, Consortium Administrator with questions, [email protected] . or 858-231-0048. National CPM Consortium New Member Handbook August 2015 3 Mentor – Mentee Best Practice Guide Phase I Phase II Phase III Associate to Active Active Initial Accreditation . Contacting Program Models . How to government/ Criteria for request an university leaders selecting and accreditation orienting review . Letters of Support instructors . Preparing for . Sharing actual accreditation Initial Contact competency- Binder . Establish based Visit relationship curriculum . Arrange materials reimburse- . Talk about program . Testing ment experience options procedure for . Capstone site visit . Share start up options travel costs materials . Program policies and . Identify when to procedures refer to the CPM . CPM applicant Administrator selection Sample policies process Sample . Marketing curriculum strategies and Questions to approaches Consortium . Graduation members criteria and process . Database development Assess Mentor- Mentee relationship . Is it working? Resources available on the website: Ohio Survey Past accreditation reports Resources available from the administrator: Examples of accreditation binders National CPM Consortium New Member Handbook August 2015 4 The Accreditation Assessment Questionnaire The accreditation questionnaire is an excellent guide for those developing a new CPM program. It addresses all the critical components necessary to meet the standards for accreditation by the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium. In the eventual Initial Accreditation Review, the program is required to provide evidence that each of these standards have been met. The following checklist is used by the accreditation review committee in their assessment of the program. NATIONAL CERTIFIED PUBLIC MANAGER® CONSORTIUM ACCREDITATION ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE Adopted 3.18.06 Revised 10.17.10 Member being accredited: ___________________ Date: _______ Assessment: ________ “I” Initial; “C” Continuing Committee Member: ________________________ State: ___ Role: _________________ Chair/Instructor/CPM Grad. Directions: Please review the documents you have received and respond either YES or NO to the statements below. If your answer is NO to any question or a series or questions, the committee chair should obtain clarifying data. YES NO TAB 1 – PROGRAM OVERVIEW (There is adequate summary description of the CPM ___ ___ program delivered by this member to understand the basics of how it operates, basic expectations, time frames, projects and examinations required, eligibility/application process,