LOOKING
BACK AS WE MOVE FORWARD
By
Michael A. Bower, ACC
2006
will mark the 20th anniversary of the NCCAP! As we on
the NCCAP Board of Directors prepare to celebrate the
NCCAP's "Birthday" it's natural to think about
how the NCCAP has grown. In 1990, fresh out of Western
Washington University with my brand new BA in Recreation
Admin/Therapy in hand, I took my first position as an
Activity Director. I was very fortunate that the NAAP
held its annual conference in Seattle that year, and
my facility sent me to it. What an eye-opener that was!
I was so green I was oozing sap! As I toured the vendor
fair noticed several people wearing buttons proclaiming,
"I'm NCCAP Certified." Who was this NCCAP?
Eventually, I found the NCCAP booth and talked to Marilyn
Lamkin, the NCCAP Administrator. She explained exactly
what NCCAP certification was, how to apply, and gave
me an application. I applied! Although I had also applied
for my CTRS I figured one couldn't have too many credentials
- and this one said something special about my qualifications
for working in elder care. I became certified as an
ADC in July 1990; I was just getting started!
In
1992 I went to Washington D.C. and took the NAAP/NCCAP
Train the Trainer for MEPAP I; in 1994 I was at the
Reno NAAP conference taking the Train the Trainer for
MEPAP II. In the years since, I have taught the courses
with a team of instructors and been a guest instructor
at various "Train the Trainer" sessions at
the NAAP conferences.
I
joined the board in San Diego prior to the 1998 NAAP
Conference, was elected to the board twice more and,
this April, will complete my 7th and last year as an
active member of the NCCAP Board of Directors, although
I then assume the advisory role of "Immediate Past
President".
During
my seven years on the board I have worked with dedicated
people, and I have come to appreciate the great wisdom
and foresight that the founders of NCCAP had.
The
Board of Directors makes the decisions, it is the duty
of the Executive Director (ED) to implement the decisions
and respond to the reactions from the membership and
the public. We were fortunate to have had, as our first
ED, a person of integrity and foresight - a pioneer
in the Activity Profession. Today we have another person
with a long history in the NCCAP, a thorough understanding
of the vision and mission of the NCCAP, and the strength
to carry out the board's decisions.
The
ED also oversees the many volunteer reviewers who work
so hard for the NCCAP. The NCCAP has the distinction
of reviewing 100% of all certification renewals, as
well as the first time applications and level changes.
With over 6,000 certified members renewing every two
years, that's about 2,000 a year! Add the other categories
and you begin to see the scope of the job! I am proud
to say the NCCAP central office choreographs the process
like a ballet.
We
urge all who attend the conference in Alexandria to
come to the NCCAP annual meeting. Come prepared with
suggestions, especially ideas for the 20th NCCAP Anniversary!
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