Dress for Success is well known for providing resources to women in need who are entering or returning to the workplace and do not have professional clothing needed to interview for (and secure) jobs. Diane Riche, Board Chair of Dress for Success New Orleans shares how our donations are helping women in New Orleans.

How is Dress for Success helping women in New Orleans, particularly. Are there any circumstances or issues particular to New Orleans that make the work you do in that city different or special?

The issues in New Orleans are no different than any other city. The women that we serve all have one thing in common – they want to have a better life for themselves and their children, and they know that in order to do that and to be able to provide for their families, they need to find gainful employment. Many of us take it for granted, that if we need a new suit or a new dress, we can purchase it. These women do not have that luxury. And without the appropriate clothing, they cannot go to an interview and make a good first impression. When they come to our "boutique," by appointment, they are usually shy, a little apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. By the time they walk out of our doors, they have the confidence that they need in order to secure that position.

Many of our ladies have never owned a suit, and when they see themselves in that mirror for the first time, it is overwhelming. A Volunteer Personal Shopper helps them select a complete outfit, that is flattering to their body type and feels good to them. But our program is more than the suit. We also provide help with writing resumes, with interview skills, a Career Center where they have access to computers and printers, and a network of support to help them thrive in work and in life. After the ladies get their job, they are invited to join our Professional Women’s Group, which meets monthly. They enjoy a professional speaker, who addresses topics ranging from financial literacy, to written and unwritten rules of the workplace, to work/life balance, to health and wellness.

Can you give us an overview of the donations you received during Conclave?

The attendees of the CMP Conclave donated terrific items to our affiliate. We collected 24 suits, 60 separates (including several St. John knits!), 10 pair of shoes, five purses and a beautiful selection of costume jewelry. Additionally, personal care items were donated, as well as a lovely suitcase (filled with beautiful clothing), which will come in handy when our delegate travels to the Annual Success Summit next July.

What is the process once the donations are made/received by Dress for Success?

Volunteers sort through our donations, and organize by size, season and type. The items are carefully checked to make sure that they are in good condition, then they are either put into the inventory at our "boutique," or if they are off-season, they are brought to our storage facility until they are needed.

What was your experience like working with CIC during Conclave?  

When I was approached by Jodi Halter of Accent on Arrangements (who sponsored this event) regarding this event, I was very excited. My "day job" is Director of Sales & Marketing of the Loews New Orleans Hotel, so I am very familiar with the CIC. I knew that the attendees would be professional, well-dressed women (and men) who would be inclined to donate lovely items. Everyone that I spoke with at the event was very interested in our program and many were familiar with Dress for Success in their own communities. The beautiful clothing that the attendees donated has been put to good use and the women who come through our program will be thrilled to receive such lovely items. Each woman that we serve gets a complete outfit in preparation for her interview, so 24 ladies will be served with the suits, then after they get a job, they can come back for five days-worth of professional clothing, so that they can start to build their wardrobe.

You serve as Board Chair for Dress for Success. How did you get involved with the organization and why do you serve in that capacity? 

I was invited to serve on the Board five years ago by an industry colleague. I was somewhat familiar with the organization, as I had donated suits in the past, but quickly learned how vital DFS was to the underprivileged women of New Orleans. The very first client that I met was "Ingrid." She was a single mom and had been laid off several months prior to our meeting. She came through the program, landed a job, and became a member of our Professional Women’s Group that meets monthly. I have watched her son grow and thrive. She is very proud of her accomplishments and credits Dress for Success with helping to turn her life around. She has subsequently moved on to a better, higher paying position. It is "Ingrid" and the women like her, that make me want to give my time to this organization. When one woman becomes financially independent, it changes her life and the lives of her children. We serve 500 women each year. I know that what we do positively impacts families and our community.

We receive no government funding. All services that we provide are free of charge and we rely on donations from individuals and corporations to sustain our program. We very much appreciate the partnership with CIC and the wonderful items that your attendees brought to New Orleans and donated to Dress for Success New Orleans.

 

By Joanne Dennison, CMP

If someone wants to recertify their CMP credential, one of the requirements for most applicants is 25 hours of continuing education. Three of the most common points of confusion are:

• What is a continuing education hour?
• What content counts?
• Where can I get continuing education that "counts"?

The following attempts to dispel some of the CMP Program myths and give CMP candidates and those recertifying their designation a clear understanding of what they need to know and do.

What is an Hour?

An hour, which is called a clock hour on the applications, may also be called a "contact hour" or "classroom hour." A clock hour is one hour spent in a structured learning environment, for example, with a presenter, instructor, facilitator, discussion leader or panel. It can be in person or virtual. It does not include trade shows, recreation or entertainment (unless there is a structured learning component), or committee meetings.

A structured learning environment should have measurable learning objectives listed specifically in the description of the session. This will also help when determine what content will count for CMP credit.

CEUs (Continuing Education Units) are sometimes used interchangeably with clock hours. The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) developed the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) in 1970 and is the caretaker of the CEU. But the term "CEU" often causes confusion with CMP candidates because the true definition of "CEU" is calculated differently than a "clock hour." But there is an easy way to determine your continuing education hours no matter what the unit is called: CIC awards continuing education on an hour-for-hour basis down to the quarter hour. Therefore, if you participate in an activity that is 90 minutes, you will report 1.5 CE hours on your application. It is that easy.

What Content/Topics Count?

This question has become a big one since the CMP-International Standards (CMP-IS) went into effect in 2012. The reality is that the requirements are not that different than they were under the former CMP Blueprint.

The CMP Blueprint was the body of knowledge for the CMP, based on the 27 Functions of Meeting Planning. This outline is updated every five years based on changes in the meetings industry. If you applied, or recertified prior to 2012, your continuing education had to pertain to one of the 27 functions. 

When the CMP-IS was put into place, it replaced the 27 Function Blueprint. The required areas of knowledge are now in the 10 Domains of the CMP-IS. This too was designed in response to updates to the knowledge needed to be a successful meeting professional. All continuing education now has to pertain to one of the 10 Domains. On the application it must be noted which Domain to the activity aligns with. The complete CMP-IS is on the Convention Industry Council website. Those completing an application, can easily find the correct Domain in the CMP-IS.

Some of the time it is very easy to see what Domain a program pertains to, because it is right in the title of the presentation. For example a session called "Handling Risk" is going to fall in Domain C-Risk Management. When it is not as obvious, it should be in the description and learning objectives for each educational session attended. If you cannot find the connection between the skills in the Domains and the learning objectives of the program, it most likely does not count for CE credit.

Where Can I Get Continuing Education that "Counts"?

Many of us get our clock hours by attending industry events sponsored either by our professional associations or by corporations such as hotel and media companies. Continuing education can also be found through colleges or community organizations. As long as it is a structured learning environment and the learning objectives fit the Domains, it counts. The activity cannot be a promotion for any organization or its products or services, although it can be sponsored by anyone. 

The CMP office at CIC does not have to approve each session before it is offered. It is up to the applicant to choose the right sessions that fulfill a subject area in the CMP-IS Domains. If the sponsoring organization wants to have their attendees to receive CE credits for their offerings, they need to be familiar with the CMP-IS Domains, and pick the topics and presenters accordingly. If they want it to be very "user-friendly" for the attendee they should make sure the learning objectives clearly show how it fits into the Domains, and can list the Domain with the session.

In the end, however, the applicant is the one responsible for making sure they are familiar with the CMP-IS, look for continuing education that fulfills the subject area, and completes the application correctly.

I hope I have cleared up some of the myths and rumors with this article, and have provided clear steps on how to fill in your CMP recertification application.

Joanne Dennison, MSEd, CMP, has been an educator in the meetings industry for more than 15 years, including preparing people for the CMP exam. This article is based on commonly asked questions she receives from people interested in the CMP process.

 

CMPs, are you due to recertify your CMP designation in 2014? It's easier than you think! Please visit the recertification section of our website to determine the requirements and to download your application, the CMP Recertification Handbook and the CMP International Standards.

Status	Due Date	Fee	Recert Year
CMP Recertification	Sept. 1-Dec. 31	$250 USD	2014
CMP Recertification Lapsed Status*	Dec. 31	$350 USD	2013
CMP Emeritus	Dec. 31	$200 USD	2014
CMP Certificate Reprint Fee	N/A	$25	N/A

* The deadline for recertification has passed if your CMP designation expired in 2013; however, you can still recertify even if your status has lapsed. Recertification applications will be accepted at the LAPSED status rate for those CMPs whose certification expired in 2013. 

Don't delay, recertify now! Our recertification video will help take the guess work out of completing your application! 


If you still have questions about recertification, don't hesitate to contact us at certification@conventionindustry.org.

 

EIBTM The Global Meetings & Events Expo
Nov. 18-20, 2014
Barcelona, Spain
CIC will be sharing a booth (F81) with AMCInstitute
More information

 

Lina DiMatteo, CMP, CMM is now Manager, Events at Ontario Energy Association.

LaVette Henderson, CMP is now Director, Meetings & Operation at the National Dental Association, Inc.

Amelia Hodges, CMP is now the Meetings & Logistics Manager for the North Carolina Association of CPAs.

Kimberly Knight, MBA, CAE, CMP is the current chair of the CAE Commission overseeing the CAE credential. Her term began in August at ASAE's Annual Meeting in Nashville. Kim is Director of Board Relations at AARP.

Trisha Olach, CMP is now the Assistant Director of Sales at Boyne Resorts in Michigan.

Jan Shaw, CMP is now Events Manager at the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand. She previously worked at MCI Australia.

Eliott Wilkes, CMP is now the Director of Catering and Event Sales at the Vancouver Club. He was previously the Senior Catering Manager at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport.

Make an awesome career move? Let us help you celebrate! Send the details of your latest career triumph to cmptoday@conventionindustry.org.  And while you're at it, be sure to log into www.conventionindustry.org and update your official CMP record.