Q. How is the current application process different from the earlier process?
A. 1) Applicants will now choose one of the following pathways under which to apply: Treatment, Preventive Care, or Scientific Principles, Analysis & Examination. 2) Sponsors and the Membership Committee will now use a rubric to ensure consistency in evaluating applications. 3) Sponsors will now remain anonymous the Membership Committee.
Q. Why is having a graduate degree not considered enough experience to be a professional member? Why the two-year experience requirement?
A. The main reason for the two-year requirement is that among the various graduate degree programs there are a lot of differences, such program length and emphasis on coursework versus hands-on experience. We require two years of professional experience but do not specify when it occurs. Applicants can now include professional experience gained in the field prior entering a graduate program.
Q. Can or should an applicant apply for more than one pathway?
A. No, the three pathways only exist to help an applicant customize their application to their particular training, skills and expertise. The examples in the Essential Competencies Evaluation Rubric show a reasonable amount of overlap in the pathways, so applying under more than one is redundant. Applicants determine the pathway that best suits their training, skills and expertise.
Q. Will the application pathway display anywhere as part of the designation?
A. No, we will not include the pathway in any public display. Neither member of the public nor members of the organization see the application pathway once we award the designation.
Q. How will evaluators assess an application?
A. Sponsors and the Membership Committee will review the applicant's professional background, work examples, and short answer responses, using a rubric (or "guide") based on the Essential Competencies. The Essential Competencies provide an outline of the basic competencies that define a conservation professional. There are nine core competencies and three practice competencies more specific to each application pathway. The rubrics provide a template applicants can use to construct their responses when demonstrating their knowledge of the Essential Competencies. Sponsors use the rubrics to ensure that applicants meet the application requirements. Finally, the Membership Committee will use the rubrics to assess an applicant’s knowledge of the Essential Competencies.
Q. Who will approve applications for professional membership?
A. The Membership Committee will evaluate and make final decisions on all applications. In the event there is no consensus on an application, they may assign the application to additional, trained reviewers who possess the applicant’s same training, skills and expertise.
Q. How are sponsor requirements different for the new application?
A. Sponsors now remain anonymous to the Membership Committee. Sponsors no longer have to write letters. They simply sign a statement attesting they have reviewed the application materials and support the applicant’s application for professional membership. This allows sponsors to continue playing a mentorship role in the application process while ensuring that the Membership Committee evaluates applicants on their own demonstrated abilities and not on who sponsors them.
Q. Do sponsors need to have pre-existing professional relationship with the applicant?
A. No, sponsors do not need to have worked with the applicant. All sponsors will use the Essential Competencies and Rubric to assess whether an applicant meets the application requirements, regardless of their prior relationship. If an applicant does not know two Professional Members who will sponsor them, the applicant should contact staff at membership@culturalheritage.org.
Q. Can applicants appeal a decision?
A. If the Membership Committee declines to approve an application, they will prepare a narrative outlining the applicant’s strengths, areas for growth, and process for re-application.
Q. What must professional Members do to maintain their designation?
A. They must pay member dues, not commit any Code of Ethics violations, and accrue the minimum amount Continuing Professional Development (CPD)