Michigan Association of Senior Centers

Director Certification

Senior Center Director Certification

Introduction

Across the state there is a great divergence in the educational level and experience of Senior Center Directors.  Some directors have high school diplomas, other have advanced degrees.  No one academic path exists for Senior Center Directors with many center directors being trained on the job.  Center directors themselves realize the complexity of their jobs and know that skills must range from personnel and facility management to fund development and recreational programming.  Center directors often work long hours for salaries which are not indicative of the level of responsibility that the job requires.

The intent of certification is to provide a statewide standard that can be used as a measure of professionalism. A standard showing current and prospective employers the indivisual's commitment to the profession of aging. It is further intended that certification will not only provide the ability for leverage on job applications and/or salary negotiations, but that requirement of recertifying every three years will continue the growth and development of the Certified Senior Center Director.

Purpose

• Promotes professional credibility and visibility

• Identifies to the public and professional peers those center directors who have met specific professional standards.

• Encourages the continuing professional growth and development of Michigan Association of Senior Centers Certified Senior Center Directors.

Definition of a Senior Center Director

The Director (or comparative title) is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Senior Center.  He/She handles the budget, record keeping, personnel, service coordination and management of the facility.

Basic Requirement for Certification

- Must be working as a Senior Center Director in the year that application is completed.

• Degree (minimum of Associates Degree)

• Three (3) years experience as a Senior Center Director

• Completed Body of Knowledge

          or

• Seven (7) years experience as a Senior Center Director

• Completed Body of Knowledge

• Ten (10) C.E.U.s or nine(9.0) classroom credit hours, earned within the last four (4) years in job-related field or the field of Aging.

Certification Renewal

Sixteen (16) hours documented participation in workshops/seminars or ten (10) C.E.U. or three (3.0) classroom credit hours - all in job related fields or the field of Aging.  For workshops / seminars which are not sponsored by the Michigan Association of Senior Centers, standardized documentation forms are available.

Site Criteria

Senior Center Criteria

Body of Knowledge

Address each heading in the Body of Knowledge.  Examples under each heading are provided and may include but are not limited to those listed.  Verification/documentation must be included and may be in the form of pictures, news articles, brochures, flyers, newsletters, photographs, copies of plaques, letters of support from sponsors, etc.

I.  Programming Address one example of each of the following five categories.  This must be a program which you have personally created, implemented and/or supervised within the last three years.  The discussion/documentation must include all of the following.

1) The creation of planning process

2) Implementation

3) Fiscal Management

4) Use of staff and/or volunteers

5) Publicity/public relations

6) Evaluation

A.  Recreation (travel, parties, special events, etc.)

B.  Education (lecture series, classes, special speakers, etc.)

C.  Health promotion/wellness (health fairs, fitness programs, etc.)

D.  Fund-raising (special events or functions specifically designed to raise funds)

2. Personnel and/or Volunteer Management Address and document all areas listed below.  If you have both paid staff and volunteers, address both categories.

PAID STAFF A. Job descriptions B. Training C. Staff meetings D. Organizational Chart E. Evaluations            VOLUNTEERS A. Job descriptions B. Training C. Recognition D. Organizational Chart

3.  Fiscal Management Address and document the areas listed below.  Please note that the grant writing portion is optional and should be addressed if you actively seeking grant funds.

A.  Budget writing (copy of most current budget)

B.  Record keeping/Monthly Accounting (monthly and/or annual reports)

C.  Date and name of firm for most recent audit report (do not include actual report)

D.  Grant proposals (include successful and unsuccessful - introductory pages only)

4.  Professionalism/Advocacy Address and document all areas listed.  Discussion for parts D, E and F should contain all pertinent details as to thoroughly describe the scope of your involvement.

A.  Your resume

B.  Your job description

C.  Professional association and board or commission affiliations

D.  Community/public relations (i.e. cooperative ventures, partnerships, service clubs, etc.

E.  Advocacy (i.e. - working with elected officials and/or advocacy groups

F.  Published professional articles, newsletters and/or professional presentations.