FAQ

• Can I receive certification in any position?

  You can receive Basic Certification for any position as long as you qualify. So, for example, you are currently a CED Coordinator and you can meet the qualifications for a General Manager, you can receive General Manager Basic Certification. You can also achieve Basic Certification in as many positions as you would like.

  However, in order to receive a Community Futures Designation, you must have worked for several years in the position. For example, in order to receive a Community Futures Designation as a General Manager, you must have worked as a Community Futures General Manager for 3 years.

• I am currently an Assistant Manager. This is not one of the 4 core positions that quality for a Community Futures Designation. What position should I apply for?

  The Community Futures Designation is available only for the 4 core positions of General Manager, Business Analyst, CED Coordinator, and Administrative Coordinator. An Assistant Manager could apply for a Community Futures Designation as an Administrative Coordinator. Or, you could work towards gaining the experience and education/training required for a General Manager Community Futures Designation so that you are qualified if and when you have an opportunity to take on the position of General Manager.

• How does the Community Futures Pan West Network recognize people who have achieved certification?

  People who achieve Basic Certification are listed in the Pan West Annual Report and on this website.

  They are also encouraged to use the title on their business cards.

• What happens if I don’t maintain my Basic Certification status?

  You will be prompted by email to apply to maintain your Basic Certification every four years. If you choose not to maintain your certification, your name will be deleted from the website Recognition page.

• What kind of education and training do I need to get a Community Futures Designation?

  Each advanced competency includes a training menu with a list of education and training possibilities. Each one is assigned a point system between 1 and 10. You must achieve a score of at least 5 to be eligible for a Community Futures Designation. Typically a degree or diploma in a competency area is worth 10 points. Short courses or workshops are assigned 2 points for every 4 hours of training. For example, if you have taken 3 short courses (for a total of 12 hours) in a particular area, you would get 6 points and would be eligible for the Community Futures Designation. If you have taken a day-long course (8 hours), you would only have 4 points and would need to take additional training. Please see the on-line application form for the list of education and training.

• How does the on-line application system work?

  The first step is to fill in your contact information and submit it. You will then be issued a password to use every time you log into your application. Please note: it sometimes happens that the password email is intercepted and sent to junk mail – so if you don’t receive it in your regular email, please check your junk mail.

  For Basic Certification: After you get your password, you will be asked to do a self-assessment for a series of shared competencies. These are the skills, knowledge and values required by everyone who works at a Community Futures. Then you can log into the application for the position you wish to gain certification in and do a self-assessment of the specific competencies required for that position.

  You do not need to complete the application in one sitting. You can log in and out as many times as you wish. You can also attach documents like your performance review, job description, and course diplomas.

  For Community Futures Designation: After you get your password, you can log into the application form and complete it as directed. Please note that you must have Basic Certification in the position before you can apply for a Community Futures Designation .

  When your application is complete, you can submit it online. The Staff Development Coordinator will receive an email that your application is complete and will contact you to let you know that your application has been received.

• Who can see my online application?

  Your online application is password protected and only authorized people can view it. This includes the Staff Development Coordinator, who needs to have access to your online application in order to assess it. The members of the Community Futures Pan West Professional Development Standing Committee may be view your application as well, if required for adjudication.

• What are the deadlines for application?

  Applications are adjudicated 4 times a year. Deadlines are March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, but you can submit your application at any time.

• What are the deadlines for maintaining certification?

  You must achieve at least 3 activities from the list provided12 every four years (with a year-end date of March 31).

  The deadline for renewing certification is March 31, for all positions, based on the year you received Basic Certification. The Staff Development Coordinator will send an email to remind you to renew your certification.