2021 RETA Breeze March-April

Education — I have had the pleasure of serving with many volunteer writers, logging hundreds of hours of session time over the years since being on staff. For me, the participation in team writing RETA course books began in 1997. I credit all of my career success to having that opportunity to learn from others as we strove to craft technical information that resonates with persons who are not traditional students (I am one). HQ staff work with the volunteer writers as the books are processed through the five-year review process. They also participate in the development of new product such as the recently released carbon di-oxide course book. HQ sees to the management of book inventory and printing and the course final exam offerings by computer. Certification —The certification program was developed in the mid-1980’s through the leadership of RETA President David Woods followed up by his successor, John Scherer. The initial Level B and Level A exams were first administered by the first chair of the committee, Jack Coleman, at the 1988 annual conference. The program was administered mostly by volunteer leaders until 2002 when the board of directors took the giant step of bringing the program into alignment with the professional certification industry. This is

to establish a new chapter. “How-to” documents are sent to those future chapter leaders with follow up to connect these new leaders to knowledgeable chapter leaders. Lately, a “positive consequence” of COVID-19 is the strong increase in virtual chapter meetings taking place. HQ sends out meeting notices now that presents quite a smorgasboard of learning opportunity every month. Conference — Have you ever planned a party then wondered if anyone would show up for it? That is an annual concern for RETA. The staff works with the conference committee to plan and deliver the conference. Our volunteer participation at such an intimate level in the execution of a conference is not normal in the traditional association-conference world. HQ’s conference staff have talent and experience to manage the myriad of outside professionals that supply the venue, food, audio/video, tour, and travel support. RETA conference volunteers have built relationships with staff and each other. The opportunity is always open to join the activity (fun) and be a part of something larger than one’s self. The upcoming conference this November in Schaumberg, IL is slated to be an in-person experience. Let’s get together – and learn from one another, directly.

when we decided to acquire the ANSI accreditation of the program. Acquiring ANSI accreditation validates the entire program and provides defensibility and accountability of the organization. RETA secured the services of an expert in certification, Dr. Ron Rodgers. He worked with the board and staff to establish the necessary policy and procedures to qualify the organization to achieve and maintain the ANSI accreditation. The staff became involved in a large way in 2005 and since then with dedicated personnel to support members and non-members access the exam and maintain their credentials. I mentioned four committees and the high profile staff offices that serves those committees. These four aspects of RETA wouldn’t get anywhere without the support and services of the rest of the RETA staff that sees to the administration and accounting of membership records, educational sales, certification fees, and conference income/ expense. We have an executive director (ED) that is accountable to the board of directors. The ED oversees and works with all the support staff and provides information to the board and committees as they serve RETA’s mission.

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