1. American Institute of Constructors Constructor Certification Commission
Training for Commission Members, Officers, Committee Chairs and Contractor Employees

2. Purpose of Training
Provides a brief history and overview of Constructor certification.
Provides foundational information about the Constructor Certification Commission.
Provides responsibilities associated with your specific role in the Commission.

3. Training Instructions
Carefully view the Power Point slides and make notes of any questions you may have.
Complete two short assessments – one relating to your mastery of the material presented and the second of the session itself.
Complete and sign and required Commission documents.
Contact the Commission Certification Manager to obtain answers to your questions.

4. History & Overview of Constructor Certification
Please view the short Power Point presentation on the history and overview of constructor certification.
When complete continue with this presentation on the next slide.

5. Constructor Certification Commission Mission and Goals
Mission - To certify Professional Constructors thorough established standards based upon education, experience and examination process.
Goals are to:
Provide a valid Constructor verification process,
Improve the image of the Constructor and the construction profession,
Improve the standards of the practice of construction,
Promote the continual professional development of the Constructor.
Promote membership into an organization of professional constructors, the American Institute of Constructors, and
Promote the AIC Constructor Code of Ethics.

6. Constructor Certification Commission Objectives
The objectives of the Commission are to develop, implement and coordinate policies and procedures for: 
The certification process,
A framework for the development of the professional Constructor,
A feedback process to higher education construction programs and the industry, and
Continual professional development for practicing professionals.

7. Constructor Certification Commission Organization
The Commission is a semi-autonomous body that operates under the auspices of the American Institute of Constructors.
The Commission is the governing body and consists of a Board of Governors and Board of Advisors.

8. Constructor Certification Commission Board of Governors
Four elected for four year terms – all must be CPCs
Four appointed by AIC for four year terms – all must be CPCs and AIC members
One Public Member elected by eight Board of Governors
Votes on all matters coming before the Commission.

9. Constructor Certification Commission Board of Advisors
Maximum of 12 representing construction associations and other qualified individuals
Elected by Board of Governors with no designated terms of office
Votes on all issues that come before the Commission except those concerning the Operating Procedures, Expenditures of Commission Funds, Employment of contractors and specific certification issues as noted in the respective Commission Policy.

10. Commission Officers
The Commission shall elect through majority vote of its members a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Their terms of office shall be 2 years, renewable. The vote shall be by written ballot. The terms for the new officers shall start at the expiration of the terms of the previous officers.

11. Commission Chair
Commission Chair shall be a member of the Board of Governors and shall be responsible for the overall operation of the Commission. The Chair shall carry out all business of the Commission as approved and directed by the Commission. The Chair shall have the authority to enter into contracts on behalf of the Commission that are approved by the Commission to the extent that an approved budget and positive cash flow is maintained in accordance with the Commission’s Operating Procedures. The Chair shall have the authority to call special meetings of the Commission and its committees. The Chair shall be signatory on all accounts maintained by the Commission. The Chair will also have training and assessment responsibilities.

12. Commission Vice Chair & Secretary
The Commission Vice Chair shall be a member of the Commission and assist the Commission Chair and perform special duties delegated by the Chair including training and assessment. The Commission Secretary shall be a member of the Commission and record all business of the Commission, produce records of the Commission and maintain all minutes and records of the Commission. In addition the Secretary will have training and assessment responsibilities.

13. Commission Treasurer
The Commission Treasurer shall be a member of the Board of Governors and shall conduct all financial business of the Commission and maintain all financial records of the Commission in a manner that assures that all financial records are kept current on a real-time basis, a responsible system of check and balances is maintained and funding is made in accordance with these operating guidelines. The Commission Treasurer will be a signatory on all accounts maintained by the Commission. With the assistance of the Certification Manager, the Commission Treasurer shall oversee the General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are followed. The Treasurer may also have training and assessment responsibilities.

14. Commission Officers
In the event the office of Chair becomes vacant, the Vice Chair shall become Chair of the Commission for the unexpired term of the Chair. In the event the offices of Vice Chair, Secretary or Treasurer should become vacant, the Chair shall appoint interim officers to fill such vacant offices until a scheduled meeting of the Commission can be held.

15. Committees, Subcommittees, Panels & Task Forces
In accordance with the Commission’s Operating Procedures, Standing Committees shall be appointed by the Commission. The Standing Committees shall consist of Skills and Knowledge, Examination, and Finance. Other Standing Committees may be formed as the Commission so directs. In addition, the Commission may form other committees, subcommittees, panels or task forces for the purpose of conducting specific business.

16. Constructor Certification Commission Standing Committees and Subcommittees
Examination Committee - Responsible for developing, assessing, validating, up-dating, and formatting questions on examinations. Examination Subcommittees: Item Writing Item Reviewing Writing Skills Scoring for Level I (AC) Examination The Examination Committee and each of its Subcommittees have their own Operations Manual by which to fulfill their Commission responsibilities.

17. Constructor Certification Commission Standing Committees and Subcommittees
Skills and Knowledge Committee Responsibilities:
Works with the AIC Professional Standards Committee to maintain and revalidate the body of knowledge and provide the Examination Committee with any changes for incorporation into future examinations.
Prepares and maintains the criteria for evaluating continuing professional development programs. 
Reviews the applications for certification for compliance with certification criteria and such other duties as the Commission may assign.

18. Constructor Certification Commission Standing Committees and Subcommittees
Skills and Knowledge Subcommittees: Application Vetting Continuing Professional Development Audit The two Subcommittees have their own Operations Manual by which to fulfill their Commission responsibilities. Finance Committee - Responsible for preparing the annual budget, monitoring the spending of commission funds and revenues and developing in conjunction with the Certification Manager, marketing plans.

19. Standing Committee Chairs, Vice Chairs and Members
The Commission members shall nominate Chair(s) and Vice Chair(s) for each Standing Committee. The nominations shall be voted on at the regular scheduled meetings of the Commission. The Chairs and Vice Chairs shall serve one year renewable terms. All Standing Committee members shall serve for two year renewable terms. Qualifications to serve on respective Standing Committees are noted in the respective Standing Committee description along with and their responsibilities. Each Committee will have as many members as determined by the Commission required to carry out its duties.

20. Standing Committee Chairs
The Chair of each Standing Committee must be a member of either the Board of Governors or the Board of Advisors and be CPCs in good standing. The Chair will be responsible for planning, scheduling, and conducting all committee meetings in conjunction with the Commission Chair and Certification Manager. In addition, the Chair will be responsible to complete any needed work assigned to the committee in a timely and quality manner including the development and dissemination of meeting minutes utilizing the Commission template. Finally, the Chair will have training and assessment responsibilities.

21. Standing Committee Vice Chairs
The Committee Vice Chairs will be responsible to complete any needed work assigned by the Chair in a timely and quality manner. In addition, Committee Vice Chairs serve in the absence of the Chair.

22. Other Committees, Subcommittees, Panels and Task Forces
The Chair and Vice Chair of other committees, subcommittees, panels and task forces may be a member of the Commission or other individuals meeting the qualifications or the respective group as determined and approved by the Commission. The Chair and Vice Chair of each body will have the same general duties as those of the Standing Committees and Subcommittees. All members of other committees, subcommittees, panels and task forces shall be appointed by the Chair of the Commission with input from members of the Commission.

23. Appeals Panel
The Appeals Panel shall consist of five (5) qualified individuals appointed by the Commission Chair to consider an appeal to an adverse decision of the Commission. To be qualified the individual must be a CPC in good standing and be familiar with the Commission’s Policies and Procedures and Operating Procedures. The Commission Chair will designate the person who will Chair the Panel.

24. Constructor Certification Commission Contractors
Management Contractor – is responsible for administering the day to day activities and events of the Commission.
Talley Management Group
Certification Manager – Mr. Joe Sapp
Examination Contractor – is responsible for all certification examination-related activities.
Professional Testing Corporation
President – Ms. Sallyann Henry

25. Constructor Certification Commission Major Processes
Certification Examination Development Entails developing and reviewing of questions and selecting them for both the Level I (AC) and Level II (CPC) examinations. The development process includes working with the Examination Contractor to insure all examinations are valid, reliable and fair through the utilization of nationally recognized effective test psychometric measures. Commission Policies – 2.1 and 2.2.

26. Constructor Certification Commission Major Processes
Certification Examination Application and Notification Includes the application process, determining eligibility to take the examinations, scoring of the both certification examinations, rescheduling of examinations, informing qualificants (examinees) of their performance on examinations and conducting appeals (when needed). Commission Policies – 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.8.

27. Constructor Certification Commission Major Processes
Certification Examination Site Selection and Administration
Includes the identification, selection and maintenance of the sites, examination site activities and the administration of examinations.
Commission Policies – 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3.

28. Constructor Certification Commission Major Processes
Certification Maintenance
Includes assigning of certification numbers, maintaining one’s certification, allowable use of the AC and CPC credential, validation of certification examination body of knowledge, review of acceptability of required continuing professional development documentation, reinstating certification and responding to communications.
Commission Policies – 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7.

29. Constructor Certification Commission Major Processes
Commission Personnel Includes the responsibilities, qualifications and selection of Commission, Committee, Panel and Task Force members and contractors, contractor employee job descriptions, joint construction association chapter activities, and the selection, training and assessing of Commission members, volunteers and contractor staff. Commission Policies – 5.1, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.9.

30. Constructor Certification Commission Major Processes
Governance of Constructor Certification Activities Includes making changes to Commission organization, operations and certification schemes, signatory authority, internal audits, conflict of interest, confidentiality, ethical conduct of Commission members, volunteers, contractor staff and certificants, whistleblowing, and documentation and document control and security. Commission Policies – 5.2, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13 and 5.14.

31. Constructor Certification Commission Major Processes
All of these processes have specific policies and procedures with associated documents. Some of these will be reviewed in the next portion of the training. All Commission Policies and Procedures along with their associated documents can be found at

32. General Responsibilities of Commission Members, Volunteers and Contractor Staff
Have read and understand the following Commission’s Policies and Procedures:
A. Operating Procedures – Commission Document No. 1
B. Selection, Training and Assessment of Commission Members, Volunteers and Contractor Staff – Policy 5.9
C. Ethical Conduct of Commission Members, Volunteers and Contractor Staff – Policy 5.6
D. Conflict of Interest – Policy 5.5 and Conflict of Interest Form (Document No. 19)
E. Confidentiality – Policy 5.8 and Confidentiality Statement (Document No. 25)

33. General Responsibilities of Commission Members, Volunteers and Contractor Staff
2. Have read and understand the Commission Policies and Procedures and related documents associated with role the respective individual has in the Commission. 3. Attend and participate in regularly scheduled meetings of membership group. 4. Complete all assignments on time 5. Participate in annual training updates 6. Sign required Commission documents including Confidentiality Agreement 7. Conduct oneself in accordance with the Commission Code of Conduct (Document No. 8)

34. General Responsibilities of Commission Members, Volunteers and Contractor Staff
8 Promote the Commission’s certification where and when appropriate to individuals, associations, the construction industry and other stakeholders.

35. Training and Assessment
Everyone associated with the work of the Commission must participate in regular training and completion of training must be verified and documented Everyone associated with the Commission must be assessed on an annual basis by the person they report to and/or group of which they are a member. Assessments must be documented

36. Commission Policy on Confidentiality
Every person associated with the work of the Commission who has access to confidential documents (refer to Policy 4.2) and/or participates in confidential matters must sign a Confidentiality Statement (Document 25) on an annual basis.

37. Commission Policy on Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest arises when a person in a position of authority over the Commission may benefit financially from a decision he or she could make in that capacity, including indirect benefits such as to family members or businesses with which the person is closely associated. This policy is focused upon material financial interest of, or benefit to such persons Persons covered by this policy are all Commission members, volunteers and contractor staff employees who perform work for the Commission.

38. Commission Policy on Conflict of Interest
Persons covered by this policy will annually disclose or update to the Chair of the Commission on a form provided by the Commission (Document 19) their interests that could give rise to conflicts of interest, such as a list of family members, substantial business or investment holdings, and other transactions or affiliations with businesses of family members or other organizations.

39. Commission Policy on Ethical Conduct
In conducting all business Commission members, volunteers and Contractor staff will: A. Recognize that the chief function of the Commission at all times is to serve the best interests of its members, staff, consultants, volunteers, applicants, qualificants, candidates and certificants. B. Accept as a personal duty the responsibility to keep up to date on all Commission related issues and to conduct themselves with professional competence, fairness, impartiality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

40. Commission Policy on Ethical Conduct
C. Respect the structure and responsibilities of the Commission members, provide them with facts and advice as a basis for their making policy decisions, and uphold and implement policies adopted by the Commission. D. Keep the Commission constituencies informed about issues affecting them. E. Conduct their organizational and operational duties with positive leadership exemplified by open communication, creativity, dedication, and compassion.

41. Commission Policy on Ethical Conduct
F. Exercise whatever discretionary authority they have under the law to carry out the mission of the Commission. G. Serve with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness in carrying out the Commission’s mission. H. Demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty, and fortitude in all of their activities in order to inspire confidence and trust in their activities. I. Avoid any interest or activity that is in conflict with the conduct of their official Duties.

42. Commission Policy on Ethical Conduct
J. Respect and protect privileged information to which they have access in the course of their official duties. K. Strive for personal and professional excellence and encourage the professional development of others. In the event that a member of the Commission, one of its volunteers or one of its Contractor staff, is reported to have acted in an unethical manner, an investigation will commence upon the written receipt of a complaint reporting the unethical behavior or act, regardless of the source of the respective complaint in accordance with Policy 5.6.

43. General Responsibilities of Commission Leadership
Fundamental Responsibilities 1. Assure that the responsibilities associated with the leadership role are fulfilled. 2. Assure that the necessary work of the body being lead gets done at every meeting and in between meetings

44. General Responsibilities of Commission Leadership
Understand and Acknowledge Constraints to Success 1. The Commission is a diverse organization geographically and culturally. It represents many points of view and these points of view are earnestly believed in and strongly held. 2. We meet as a group a limited number of times each year. 3. We are a volunteer organization and must be mindful that our members and volunteers have full time jobs and careers other than the Commission. 4. As a volunteer organization we cannot dismiss or fire people, nor can we reduce their pay, we need to find ways to “facilitate” and “motivate”

45. General Responsibilities of Commission Leadership
Overcoming the Constraints through Effective Leadership 1. Learn what your duties are through participation in Commission training and talking with others who have the experience and know how. 2. Apply the principles of “continuous improvement” in all of your work for the Commission by finding ways and means of getting better at what we do, on an ongoing basis and letting a positive and nurturing attitude prevail. 3. Use the Plan, Do, Check and Act Technique in your work.

46. General Responsibilities of Commission Leadership
4. Commit to locating and mentoring at least one qualified individual to help in the work of the Commission and a second qualified individual to assume the leadership position you hold.

47. Conducting Effective Meetings
1. Have a formal agenda based on specific tasks or objectives. 2. Distribute the agenda at the onset of the meeting. 3. Have both open and executive sessions when needed. 4. Welcome everyone – especially newcomers 5. Follow the agenda and allow for discussion and input – involvement is key to success 6. Be mindful of time 7. Delegate work by providing a specific charge including needed resources, deliverables and timeframes.

48. Conducting Effective Meetings
8. Recap key points at the end of the meeting 9. Take minutes using the Commission template 10. Monitor assignments and follow up where needed. 11. Reward volunteers.

49. Getting Work Done Between Meetings
1. Conduct teleconferences with the support of the Management Contractor 2. Use – establish a ListServe and use it. 3. Dedicate some Commission time weekly or bi-weekly 4. Follow up, Follow up, Follow up.

50. How Do We Get and Keep Volunteers Involved?
1. Achieving direction is the first step by having clear objectives that can be accomplished 2. Empowerment is the second through the utilization of effective leadership skills 3. Keep remembering the essential differences in certain characteristics between serving as a volunteer and being an employee

51. Employees Vs. Volunteers
Characteristic Volunteers Employees Choice Choose to be there Need to be there Honesty May be more outspoken May fear giving honest feedback Decision-making May take more risks Mistakes are usually punished Motivation Not there for survival needs Support basic needs first Loyalty To the purpose of the organization May be lacking or to just to team Length of Service Stay as long as they want to Stay as long as they need to Skill Development May fill gaps Depends on company Tasks May do menial tasks Seek only career path tasks Separation Voluntary Voluntary or involuntary

52. Conclusion
You now have been provided with a bit of Commission history, its mission, goals and objectives, an overview of its major processes and details about the responsibilities associated with your respective role in the work of the Commission along with related Commission Policies and Procedures and pertinent documents. If you have any specific questions relating to any of the material presented please contact the Chair of the body on which you serve or report to or the Commission Certification Manager. To complete this training session by completing certain Commission documents and assessments please proceed.

53. Required Commission Documents
To comply with the Commission’s Policies and Procedures certain documents are required associated to your role. First the Commission will need a copy of your resume which needs to be updated to the current year. Second you may be asked to sign certain Commission forms associated with your position such as a Confidentiality Statement. These must be signed on an annual basis and you will be contacted by the Chair of your body or the Certification Manager to complete them when required.

54. Assessments
As part of its training process, the Commission feels it is critical that it assess if the participants understood the information presented through the administration of a short ten question multiple choice evaluation. This assessment can also be used to substantiate your participation in the training. Your score on the evaluation will remain confidential and will be used to not only improve the training and training materials but also your performance in your role. You will receive feedback on how you did along with any recommendations for improvement.

55. Assessments
Finally, the Commission, in its continuous improvement efforts, would appreciate it if you would complete an evaluation of the training session and materials using Commission Document No. 37 – Training Session Participant Evaluation. Thank you for your participation and we look forward to your productive role to promote constructor certification.

56. Questions For any questions please ask the trainer or contact:
Mr. Joseph Sapp, Certification Manager
Constructor Certification Commission
Revision History:
May 17, 2013