At the 40th Anniversary of the ICCP - the society of Professional associations dedicated to certifying professionals in the computing industries, Dr. Lynn McKell was given the award of "Fellow of the ICCP" along with a posthumous award of fellowship for Fred Harris (ACM). Fred with John Swearingen (AITP), Paul Pair (AITP) and others were founders of the ICCP in 1973. Mike Maier (Coleman College) a former ICCP President was also in attendance at our celebration and he was also present at the original founding of the ICCP with Fred, John and Paul.

ICCP Executive Director Kewal Dhariwal, I.S.P., CCP, CDP, CSP (left) presents Dr. Lynn McKell, CCP with the ICCP Fellows Award.  On the right is ICCP President Ken Metcalf, I.S.P, ITCP, CCP.

Some of you may ask what is a fellowship award? In my opinion long term commitment to a common cause and receiving an unexpected award for selfless dedication are just a few of the elements of this fellowship of the ICCP. Let me use Dr. McKell's words to answer this question in more detail as to what this means to him and us - fellow professionals in the information and computer industries.

Thoughts on receiving the ICCP FELLOWS Award
(Lynn J McKell – 4 May 2013 – ICCP 40^th Anniversary Celebration):

On one occasion, when asked what he thought about Western Civilization, Gandhi was reported to have said, "I think it would be a great idea.” On the occasion of this ICCP remarkable 40th anniversary, I honor the Institute and all of you who have worked so hard to ensure the ICCP's contribution to civilizing our industry – even world wide, not just in the west.

After being informed of this marvelous award – I looked up a definition of "Fellow;” Wikipedia offers:

First: a boy or young man – that's particularly enticing to one who is on the verge of turning 70.

Perhaps the most apropos definition is: " … a fellow is a member of a group of learned people who work together as peers in the pursuit of mutual knowledge or practice.”

Bear with me a moment while I parse that definition:

… a member of a group of learned people – ICCP leaders, staff (Cindy and Kendra) and volunteers are certainly a smart, motivated, wonderful group – committed to really trying to get things as right as possible. I remember well how often we spend considerable time struggling to get just exactly the right word – or "no word” as was the case this week in the certification council when, after multiple flip-flops, it was finally concluded to exclude the word "one” from the phrase "which one of…” in all test items which use the phrase.

… who work together – I am often impressed by you colleagues who give and take as we iterate to converge on an acceptable result.

… as peers – after these many years of association I am truly grateful to be acknowledged as your peer .

…in the pursuit of mutual knowledge or practice . One reason I chose to participate in the ICCP is because I found satisfaction working for common good with fine people who exemplify values to which I aspire. You inspire me.

Normally, one is admitted as a "fellow” to an organization because of some accomplishment or contribution. As I contemplate that thought in the context of this moment I am reminded of the following story: In his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls Stacey King had a game where he scored a single point - a free throw at the foul line - while his team mate Michael Jordan scored 69 points in the same game. Afterwards a reporter interviewing King asked for his reaction. King replied, "I'll always remember this night as the time when Michael Jordan & I combined for 70 points.”

Isn't our work in the ICCP like that? We each give our 1 point good effort – but as a team, the collective result is a wonderful contribution to our industry. Tonight is a celebration of a team effort. [To this I add, the most valuable player on my personal team is my wife, Kathy. I rely so much on her love and support. Thank you, Kathy!]

When I first began associating with the ICCP in volunteer service Linda Taylor was a colleague in the Education Foundation. On one occasion Linda offered the following quote which I have kept in my notes: "Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them ‑‑ work, family, health, friends and spirit ‑‑ and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls ‑‑ family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.” This is from a speech by the CEO of Coca Cola. Linda was one of my earliest mentors, and the quotation she offered then is just as appropriate today .

I think most of you are aware Kathy and I are currently serving as Mormon Missionaries in Brooklyn New York. Tonight's award is even more surprising to me because I had taken a leave of absence from ICCP service in order to accept this religious assignment. Mormonism has been significantly in the news lately with Mitt Romney's campaign and a hit Broadway musical titled "The Book of Mormon” playing near our Brooklyn home. Mormon doctrine informs that we are not mortal beings seeking a spiritual experience; but rather, we are spirit beings having a mortal experience. In the words of a noted Mormon writer, Arthur Henry King: "We are separated from God in order that we may VOLUNTARILY return to him.” (April'75 Ensign, p.14)

And so to you, my fellow peers, I sincerely hope that you can keep all five balls in the air; and from the bottom of my heart I wish to each of you all the very best of success in your divine destiny – however you choose to define the path or the destination. In keeping with the spirit of our current calling as Mormon Missionaries, and as a token of our appreciation for your kindness in bestowing this honor on such an auspicious night, Kathy and I would like to give each ICCP member present a copy of the Book of Mormon. We give it without condition – I will not quiz you at some future time about your reading. I believe we have enough – but if not, let me know and I will send you a copy.

Again, I express sincere appreciation for this singular honor – it is one of the highlights in my career. Though it may sound like an oxymoron, I am both humbled and proud to be your fellow peer in the ICCP. May God bless all of you. Thank you.

Northeastern Wisconsin's Joe Albers, CCP was elected the 2013-2014 ICCP Secretary/Treasurer. Joe was the ICCP Secretary in 2011-2012.

AITP congratulates Bill and Joe and thanks them for their involvement in certification.

Read about these AITP members and other certification news, the ICCP Newsletter. Click here.

By Joseph Albers, CCP, CBIP, CDMP
Chair of the IT Credentialing & Certification Committee

September 2012 is the 50^th anniversary of the introduction of the Certificate in Data Processing (CDP) certification by the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), formerly known as the National Machine Accountants Association (NMAA) and the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA).

The first CDP examination was given at New York University in June 1962 where 235 of the 340 candidates passed. The first certificate, 620001, was awarded to George W. Abbott, FLMI, CPA, CDP on September 4, 1962 and was later presented to the Smithsonian Institution in October 1977.

In August 1973 the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA) became one of the founding constituent members of the Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP), http://www.iccp.org/, which expanded the goals of the certification along with other Data Processing related societies. Joining DPMA were nine other organizations: Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), Association of Computer Programmers & Analysts (ACPA), Association for Educational Data Systems (AEDS), Automation 1 Association (A1A), Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS), The Computer Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), The Society of Data Educators (SDE), The Society of Certified Data Processors (SCDP) and The Society of Professional Data Processors (SPDP). Today, three of the ten founding organizations remain as constituent members; ACM, CIPS and AITP.

The CDP, along with Certificate in Computing Programming (CCP) and the Certificate in Systems Programming (CSP), were converted to the current Certified Computing Professional (CCP) certification in 1994, at which point 33,972 CCP certificates were issued.

The ICCP continues to be active in providing the standard in certification for business intelligence, data management and computing, with over 98,750 certificates issued in the past thirty-nine years. The ICCP currently offers eight designations (see http://iccp.org/certification/designations): Associate Computing Professional (ACP), Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP), Certified Computing Professional (CCP), Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP), Certified IT Consultant (CITC), Data Governance and Stewardship Professional (DGSP), Information Systems Analyst (ISA) and Information Systems Professional (ISP).

AITP continues its involvement as a constituent member of the ICCP, appointing two directors, Bill Fly, CCP (ICCP President and AITP President-Elect) and Joseph Albers, CCP, CDMP, CBIP (ICCP Secretary and AITP Chair of the IT Credentialing & Certification committee), who serve on ICCP's Board of Directors.

Want to learn more about the beginning of the CDP and ICCP? Read the Data Management September 1982 article "CDP – 20 Years of Certification; Portrait of a Profession”.

What are your thoughts about certification today? Join the discussions on AITP's LinkedIn group.

 Certifying professionals for over 35 years
Spring 2012

www.iccp.org

President's Message
Bill Fly, CCP, President, ICCP

Did you know that computing certification started fifty years ago this summer? On June 20, 1962, the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA --now known as the Association of Information Technology Professionals, AITP) offered the first Certificate in Data Processing examination at New York University. The 1962 exam consisted of two sections of seventy five questions each lasting one hour. 235 of the 340 candidates passed the two section exam. Answer selections were indicated by punching a hole in a Port-a-punch card, developed by the San Diego College Foundation. A second test was held at the DPMA Industry Conference at St. Louis University on September 12, 1962 and a third one on December 8, 1962 at 44 regional locations in the U.S. and Canada. A total of 937 of the 1415 passed the exam during those three offerings held in 1962.

The 1963 exam expanded from the original 150 to 210 questions and lasted three hours in November at 58 sites. No exam was given in 1964, but was postponed to February, 1965, and was offered at 100 sites to 6951 candidates. That was the beginning of computing certification more than ten years before the formation of the ICCP in 1973 by DPMA, ACM, and six other organizations interested in advancing the cause of professionalism. Happy 50th Anniversary to the CDP! Next year, we'll celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the formation of ICCP.

Social Media Project Volunteers Needed
Brett Young, CCP, Director of Special Projects
Do you have experience or interest in social media? The ICCP is kicking off a project to explore how social media can help us communicate and engage the ICCP membership more effectively. If you have been involved in your organization's social media strategy, or just want to learn more about social media, we need your help. This is an opportunity to give something back to your field and earn recertification hours. If you are interested, click Volunteer or email office2@iccp.org for more information.

New Examinations Underway
Kewal Dhariwal, CCP, I.S.P., CDMP, CBIP
Development of two examinations is currently underway and if you have expertise either area and have an interest in being involved do send an email to me at kewald@iccp.org. Do indicate your availability to assist and I will send you the questions' format document for submissions as we are seeking new original questions for these examinations and your submission of exam questions will count towards your recertification credits.

Data Integration Examination Sections

1. Data Integration and interoperability (DII) Concepts
2. DII Architectures and Data Patterns
3. DII Processes, Technologies and Standards
4. Data Integration Systems
5. Organizational Roles and DII Governance

Architecture and Infrastructure Examination Sections

1. Business Architecture
2. Information Architecture
3. Technology Architecture
4. Business Management, Applications, Integration - IT Solutions
5. IT Services and Quality of Service Engineering

If you have any recommendations in these areas, do send us a list of reference textbooks and authors.

Recertification: It's Not Too Late!
Keith Tennant, Director of Recertification
I have been involved in Recertification for most of my professional career. The question that I am most asked is: my certification is due to expire at the end of the year and I have not started my Recertification; what can I do?

I try to help them by asking:

• Have they have attended any training sponsored by their employer?
• Do they belong to an IT user group that meets on a regular basis?
• Do they do any teaching at an education institution?
• Have had any IT based articles that have been published?
• Have they earned any other designations through testing?
• Have they completed any courses at a college or university; either physically or virtually?

Often times they will tell me that they have done some or all of these things. Then I inform them that everything that they have mentioned can qualify towards Recertification. They just need to submit an account of them to the ICCP.

I remind them that they can easily submit their activities via our website; http://www.iccp.org/. I then notice a change in their demeanor, like the weight of the world has just been lifted off their shoulders. They realize Recertification is not this monstrous process, but something that can be completed painlessly and conveniently.

Are you in this situation? I encourage you to check our website, http://www.iccp.org/. There you can download the latest Recertification Guidelines to see what can qualify for Recertification as well as submit your activities. It is just that simple. In today's challenging employment environment, it is important to keep your certifications current and up to date. It can make the difference between getting the job, and still looking.

Nominations for ICCP Fellow are Now Open!
Do you know someone who has actively supported certification by working on certification exams, encouraging people to become certified or recruiting exam proctors or serving as same? There are a lot of ways to support professionalism in our field: Supporting high standards of ethical conduct, working to inspire creativity, creating systems of high quality are a few.

If you know of someone who has worked for professionalism and/or certification in this way, please nominate them for this honor. They will become life members of the ICCP for no further payment of dues and be granted the honor and title of "Fellow of the ICCP."

They will join the distinguished company or our existing Fellows:

1981	Grace Murray Hopper, USNR
1982	Paul Pair, PhD, Control Data Corporation and Director, ICCP
1988	Coleman Furr, EdD, CDP, Coleman College, San Diego CA and Director ICCP
1998	Dan McCracken, CCP, President of ACM and
	Herb Safford, CCP, ICCP Director
2003	John Swearingen, CCP, President of DPMA,
	George Eggert, CCP, Executive Director of the ICCP and
	Roland Spaniol, CCP, ICCP Director

Our fortieth anniversary is coming up and we particularly want to honor those who have contributed to our success over the years, at this time. Send your nominations for Fellowship with the subject line "Fellow Nomination" to office2@iccp.org by July 31, 2012.

Call for Nominations: Director of Recertification
Nominations are being solicited for Director of Recertification. The by-laws of the ICCP provide the individual members with the opportunity to nominate for positions on the Board of Directors. Individual members of record shall elect them.

Interested qualified members of the Institute should prepare a short biography and brief statement to be included with the ballot. Send or email to the Chairman of the Nominations Committee in care of the ICCP Office (email: office2@iccp.org or fax 847-299-4280). All letters of intent must be received no later than June 25, 2012.

The Director of Recertification will serve a three year term of January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2015

Responsibilities Include:

• Be a voting member of the Board of Directors
• Attend three ICCP Board of Directors meetings per year (travel expenses reimbursed in accordance with policy)
• Be Chairperson to the Recertification Committee
• Be responsible for all recertification activities and maintain a clearly defined program of continuing education
• Revise and publish guidelines
• Review annual audit of activities
• Participate in other appropriate committees of the ICCP Board

Earn Recertification Credit by Helping to Create the Certification Exams
Terry Linkletter, CCP, Director of Certification
The ICCP is continually updating the pool of questions for use in upcoming editions of the exams. Would you be willing to write some multiple-choice questions for review and possible use? We'll show you how. You will earn 2 hours of recertification credit for each question that makes it into the pool. The only requirements are that each question be your own creation and that as a professional you protect its confidentiality completely. ICCP will too, as always. To be assigned a portion of the subject outline within which to work, just contact Cindy Blaese, office2@iccp.org

Bad Email Addresses
Suford Lewis, CDP, Member Services Director
Each time we send out this Newsletter we get a number of bounces. If you know someone who holds an ICCP certification but is not getting a newsletter, please ask them to let us know their current email (email to: members@ICCP.org) so that they do not miss out on one of the benefits of ICCP. For other membership benefits, click here.

email: members@iccp.org phone: 1-800-843-8227 web: http://www.iccp.org/

ICCP Events Calendar
June 19, 2012	ICCP Board of Directors Meeting
July 13-14, 2012	CDMP BootCamp Puget Sound
July 27-28, 2012	ICCP Certification Council Meetings (Louisville, USA)
July, Sept, Nov, 2012	DAMA UK - CDMP Exam Cram Sessions (Bath, UK)
Other Events
June 24-27, 2012	ISTE Conference (San Diego, USA)
July 29-Aug 3, 2012	TDWI World Conference--including CBIP exam testing (San Diego, USA)
August 8-9, 2012	DAMA Management Conference (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

ICCP | 2400 East Devon Avenue | Suite 281 | Des Plaines | IL | 60018-4617

New Exams

• The ICCP Certification Councils has recently enhanced our suite of examinations with the introduction of several new examinations including:
  
  
  
  • Java
    
  • Data Management, Database Administration & Data Warehousing (with DAMA International)
    
  • Integrated Project Management
    
  • Object Oriented Analysis and Design
    
  • Web Development
    
  
  
• The ICCP in conjunction with the ICCP Education Foundation and Center for Computing Education Research (CCER) developed an Information Systems examination that adheres to the 2002 IT Model Curriculum published by the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), Association for Information Systems (AIS), and Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP). Several major colleges and universities administer the examination to their graduating class for outcome assessment.
  
  
• The ICCP New Examinations Committee and the Certification Council are developing several new examinations to be introduced in 2005. They are:
  
  
  
  • VB.Net
    
  • IT Consultant with the Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA)
    
  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Data & Information Quality with DAMA International
    
  • Business Process Management with the Association of Business Process Management Professionals (ABPMP)
    
  • Security Fundamentals with the International Systems Security Association (ISSA)
    
  
  
  New Certification Programs
• The ICCP along with DAMA International has introduced a new certification designation: Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP). The CDMP is focused on data oriented professionals involved in the areas of data management, database administration, data analysis and design, data warehousing, metadata / repository management, and data / information quality. A presentation / review course is held at the annual DAMA International Symposium.
  
  
• The ICCP along with our business partner The Data Warehouse Institute (TDWI) has introduced a new designation: Certified Business Information Professional (CBIP). The CBIP is useful for business management, data analytics, data mining, data warehousing, and data management personnel. Exam preparation courses are offered at TDWI World Conferences.
  
  
• ICCP & CCER have introduced the Information Systems Analyst (ISA), which is a new credential for graduating seniors from 4-year university programs.
  
  New Methods for Exam Preparation and Delivery
• The ICCP has developed an examination review course that is utilized at vendor shows and conferences where our examinations are offered. The format allows perspective certification candidates to be exposed to the type of questions and difficulties they will be confronted with during the actual examination. The process takes two days, with the first day dedicated to preparatory overview of material and sample exam questions. The second day the exams are administered. Full certification can be achieved during the conference.
  
  
• The ICCP introduced an electronic test delivery method that has been utilized at several user conferences. The new process randomizes the questions and answers to thwart "wandering eyes". The process is encrypted requiring the test administrator to key in a password to launch the examination. Test results are immediately available to the test taker on test completion.
  
  AITP National Collegiate Conference Sponsor
• The ICCP is active in AITP's National Collegiate Conference as a sponsor of one of the student competitions. The ICCP examinations are also offered at the conference. Over the years, the ICCP has challenged the "best and brightest" students at the national conference to take the ICCP examinations as a method of verification and validation of learned skills. These students represent the future of our industry.
  
  American Council on Education (ACE) College Credit Re-Accreditation
• Over the past 4 years, the ICCP has continually reviewed and updated the entire suite of examinations. The examinations are current and items possess reliable psychometric data to support their performance in discriminating knowledge and industry experience. The ICCP has recently completed the American Council on Education re-accreditation visit and has received accreditation for another 5 years. Depending on the college or university, students can apply passing ICCP exams towards college credit.
  
  ICCP Holders Online Newsletter
• The ICCP has developed an online newsletter that is distributed to all holders who have provided ICCP with their email address or addresses. The newsletter highlights ICCP's recent activities and contains articles of interest in furthering the certification of practitioners in our industry.
  

John Swearingen was the founding President of the ICCP in 1973. He had been President of the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA), now the Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP), and was instrumental in the development of the first professional certification examination for information processing, the Certificate in Data Processing (CDP). He was employed in the industry, and for many years served as the Director of Information Services for the United States Senate.

George R. Eggert was the first full-time Executive Director of the ICCP. He served as a President of the DPMA, as President of the American Federation for Information Processing Societies (AFIPS) and a President of the International Federation of Information Processing (IFIP). He was formerly Director of the Chicago Office of Planning and Management, Defense Contract Administration Services Region (DCASR), U.S. Department of Defense.

Roland D. Spaniol was a charter member of the first ICCP Board of Directors in 1973 and still serves on the board representing the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE). He has served in every office of the Executive Committee, some more than once. He was the first President of the ICCP-Education Foundation. Eastern Illinois University employed him for many years in both administrative and teaching roles. He holds a PhD in Business from the University of Iowa.

Fellows of the ICCP are persons selected to be honored for exemplary service to the professional certification movement in the computing and information processing profession. The three new fellows will join an illustrious historical group of five: Grace Murray Hopper (1981), Paul M. Pair (1982), Coleman Furr (1988), Herbert B. Safford (1998), and Daniel D. McCracken (1998).

The ICCP was created by a consortium of professional associations headed by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA), now the Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP). Today the ICCP is composed of six constituent societies, which, in addition to ACM and AITP, include the Association for Women in Computing (AWC), the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS), DAMA International (the Data Management Association) and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The ICCP now offers seventeen professional certification examinations and two professional credentials (the CCP and ACP) for the workforce in information technology.

For more information, call ICCP at 1-800-843-8227, or visit www.iccp.org.

Special thanks to past AITP Association President Nita Adams for saving it and sending it to Information Executive

Click here for the article.