APG-L Archives

Archiver > APG > 2008-02 > 1201985240


From: "Donald W. Moore, CG" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Membership Category Challenge
Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2008 15:47:20 -0500
References: <004801c865b0$576a8fb0$6101a8c0@hagankohler><2503EE5E-A4CE-40E9-AB9A-F3C496592D6E@antecedents.com><005d01c865c7$13dda810$6101a8c0@hagankohler>
In-Reply-To: <005d01c865c7$13dda810$6101a8c0@hagankohler>


>
> Since many members of APG do genealogical research on a part-time
> basis, the
> pace of their research work and improvement of their skills is
> flexible.

I work a full-time day job, do research on a part-time basis, serve in
several capacities with various genealogical related organizations,
and I took the time to seek certification. Everyone chooses how to
spend their time, as do I. What is more flexible than that? Besides, I
said "guidelines" not graded course work. And certainly not course
work provided by APG for membership.

> A tiered structure with guidelines for self-improvement would place
> restrictions on that flexibility. Researchers who are currently
> busy with
> client work might have to redirect their efforts to course work.
> Otherwise,
> they could find themselves in a lower tier of membership.

In my original suggestions, I did not contemplate a time schedule for
self-improvement. Self-improvement is SELF-improvement and SELF-paced,
not APG provided course work. We already have methods for
certification, accreditation, and college level course work for those
who CHOOSE to self-improve in those ways. No need for APG to get
involved in that. Again, it's a personal choice how you spend your
time and what you do with it. And that is the ultimate flexibility.

>
>
> As Kathy Cortez pointed out in her post on 1/30/2008, once levels of
> membership are introduced, competition begins. The flexible work
> environment will turn into a race for levels. The people who don't
> want to
> race, might lose interest. Lack of interest could lead to a reduced
> level
> of professionalism.

Sorry, I just don't see competition happening the way you describe
it. And if it does, then we are not being very "professional" in the
ethical sense, are we? The only competition is with yourself, not
others, because of the personal goals you set for yourself. If you are
falling behind in the "race" with yourself, then you need to reassess
your goals.

We all want APG to be inclusive of those engaged in genealogy work in
whatever form--the umbrella concept. But at the same time, we also
need to differentiate ourselves in terms of specialities, or
education, or some other objective measure. And just a listing on the
APG roster is not enough for our customers to make an informed choice.
It's a matter of branding and marketing ourselves to our customers in
a way that makes it clear what we have to offer to the market place.
There must be some MBAs and business majors on the list. Please chime
in on this.

Maybe we should just agree to disagree.

_____________________
Donald W. Moore, CG(sm)
Antecedents(r) LLC
http://www.antecedents.com

Member, Association of Professional Genealogists

Certified Genealogist and CG are service marks of the Board for
Certification of Genealogists(r) and used here under license.

Antecedents is a registered service mark of Antecedents LLC.



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