Attention all CPIM's and CFPIM's. We are more than half way to the Certification Maintenance deadline. Applications for certification maintenance are due during the month that you were originally certified in 2003. For those certified before Jan 1, 1998 that means anywhere from 1 1/3 years to 2 1/3 years to complete the requirements. For those certified after Jan 1, 1998 the application for maintenance is due 5 years after original certification. Thereafter, maintenance is due every 5 years. You should receive a Certification application one year before your certification maintenance deadline. If you need more information on Certification Maintenance, you may request Stock No. 09033 from the national website, www.apics.org.

Why is APICS requiring Certification Maintenance after all these years? Maintenance is an important component in maintaining the integrity and relevance of your professional credentials. It proves that the holder of a CPIM or CFPIM certification is remaining current with the Body of Knowledge and remains an active participant in Resource Management education and current trends and issues. As stated in the bulletin, "Although certification and certification maintenance are voluntary programs, they equally demonstrate one's commitment to achieving the highest level of professional development and standards of excellence." Certification Maintenance adds a critically important value to your certification.

There are many opportunities to fill in the missing points even at this late date. The Certification Maintenance program promotes lifelong learning by awarding points for local chapter PDM attendance (7 points remaining this year, 9 points for 2002-2003), continuing education, presentations, publications, educational delivery, service to the profession (chapter officers, committee heads, and committee membership), and professional membership (30 of the required 75 points are earned just by maintaining you APICS membership). And publications includes Resource Management oriented articles that are published in the chapter newsletter. Submit articles for consideration to rita.russell@wesconproducts.com. If you would be willing to serve your chapter as a committee head or a committee member, please contact me at steveofapics@prodigy.net. The chapter will be holding a day long (8 points) seminar this spring and spring 2003. Attendance at APICS National Convention, this year just down the road in San Antonio Oct 28-31, provides you with 35 points. And this next year, we will begin offering the Fundamentals of Materials Management program and will be needing instructors. This will provide 1 point per hour of education provided so each module will provide the instructor with 30 points. If you are interested in teaching Fundamentals, contact Scott Gepner at Scott_Gepner@Raytheon.com, or myself.

There are many opportunities to attain the 75 points needed (100 for CFPIM), but it is up to you to determine your strategy, plan, and execute. Contact myself or any board member for ideas on how you can get the points required.