In the past it was required to attend one MLNA sponsored educational function. The Nuts & Bolts and Field Day were the only approved events and were equivelent to 10 CEU's each. MLNA is developing an expanded and professional approach to this important aspect of education requiring attendance of one MLNA main event plus 5 CEU/ hours from other alternate approved venues. Since the Field Day event was not held MLNA will accept alternate approved events. We encourage participation in other educational events/ clinics/ workshop provided by MLNA or other approved sources. We wish to promote all certified professionals and will deal with revision and this transistion year on a case by case basis. PLease contact the MLNA office to verify your MLNA contact information, and upodate your certification status. We can be reachced at 636-939-9079.
The new name for the Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association's certification program is Missouri Certified Green Industry Stars.
Friday, August 17, 2007
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HI Mike-
In the past it was required to attend one MLNA sponsored educational function. The Nuts & Bolts and Field Day were the only approved events and were equivalent to 10 CEU's each. MLNA is developing an expanded and professional approach to this important aspect of education requiring attendance of one MLNA main event plus 5 CEU/ hours from other alternate approved venues. Since the Field Day event was not held MLNA will accept alternate approved events. We encourage participation in approved educational events/ clinics/ workshop provided by MLNA or other sources. We wish to promote all certified professionals and will deal with revision and this transition year on a case by case basis. PLease contact the MLNA office to verify your MLNA contact information, and upodate your certification status. We can be reached at 636-939-9079.
The new name for the Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association's certification program is Missouri Certified Green Industry Stars.
Current Approval process-Who can initiate CEU Approval
- Event / program sponsors request approval will need to provide description of program, including length of presentation, handouts if any to be provided and speaker’s contact information.
- Attendee –
- submits request prior to event with hosting organization information, contact information and description ( two week notice required so MLNA can contact and review event agenda/ presenter/ content)
- post event letter of request within two weeks of event: must include description of the program, presenter and copy of the handout. If there was no handout, attendee’s notes may be substituted (must be legible)
- MLNA
- We are encouraging the pre-approval process so we can post events on the website for others to attend
- A total of 15 CEU’s will be the requirement for 2007-2008 year beginning Oct 1st through to Sept 30, 2008
-
This is an exciting time as we review/revise the certification program. We are updating the plant lists as well revamping the way the certification can be acquired. We are asking everyone to actively continue with their personal educational and be patience with the review process.
We are looking at the educational offerings and requesting the event people to contact us ahead of time to request approval for their event. If you are attending a function you think will be educational – let me know and I will contact them and request the necessary info to have the program evaluated. I would also like to post it so on the website so others can attend. If you attend a function and wish to submit it as a post event request you will need to send me information about the class or event including the teacher and a copy of the handout. If there is no handout- your notes are required. IN the past the only function approved was the Nuts and Bolts and field day but since there was no field day this year, this is our temporary solution as we work through the process. I want to show that our certs have been actively working to stay informed! An overview description of the program is posted below and on the mlna blogg.
The new name for the Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association's certification program is Missouri Certified Green Industry Stars.
The revised program will consist of 5 modules, 4 horticulture categories and one business category. Each will be able to stand alone or be combined for a total of 5 Stars.
The Star designation will define the category in which it was issued for example Missouri Certified Green Industry Annual Star or for the business category, Missouri Certified Green Industry Business Star.
The business "star" is earned by successfully completing PLANET’s Certified Landscape Professional (CLP) program. This designation allows Missouri to be one of the first states to offer a State certification recognized at the national level.
A full certification with all 5 modules would be a Missouri Certified Green Industry Five Star Professional. Testing for the Business Module of the certification is already in place and is offered at the Western through PLANET’s program.
Advanced Level Plant Pros are encouraged to attend upcoming Review Clinics to be scheduled soon!
Thank you for taking the time to contact MLNA to inquire about the recent changes. Please send me all your personal contact info so I can fully update your file!
MLNA... Growing Together!
MaryAnn Fink
Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association
www.mlna.org
636-939-9079
maryannfink@mlna.org
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Hello Allison,
I hope you are doing well. I am copying Ellen since she has been helpful directing MLNA members to me that have questions and Mike Curran who has also been helping me update everyone. The more info I can get to you the better and more excited I hope you will be. I have used your comments and questions as the heading for each of the answers so I can be sure I have responded to your every question so please continue noting your question and then my comments. Please feel free to stay in contact!
"Back in June I received a membership application."
You are correct; our first mailing went out in June which included the application, the MLNA newsletter announcing the new website, the recent changes in the organization including my position and contact information and information about our member meeting at Pea Ridge Forest as well as instructions to send in your membership. Your membership is due for renewal now. Membership begins Oct 1 and end Sept 30 the following year. The membership period for 2007-2008 is being request now. Please read info on the website-particularly the blogg but everything. Much is changing regularly including the pest alerts and plants of concern!
“My membership should be
through my employer, Hummert International."
I am working from the data files I was given from the past board people who were trying to keep everything up to date while they were managing their business so I apologies if the information was misdirected. Please pass the form along to Jim or whomever and indicate on the return what contact information you which info to be directed to- I do want you to be informed about what is happening and some time information may get to a place of business and still not get posted or forwarded along, so see what works best for you in your work situation.
We are hoping we have a good number of active members which have voting rights however we also need business support. (We have many opportunities for Hummert International to promote their product and services on the website) Whatever works best for you is fine. Please read the description of members and take a look at the website and the exciting effort we are making to promote the industry and consider being a member on your own. Otherwise please make arrangement at your work place. Newsletter tidbit info and membership requests may all need to be sent together and we will need you or your work todispure the information to the correct person.
"I have not received any other info from the association, including most recently, an invitation to Nursery Day."
I am working on our next mailing. We have a mailing list of over 1,000 which is very expensive to use and not very efficient. If we do 3rd class, the post office is allowed to take one full month to distribute at their convience. Not good if there is dated information and we are setting up events and clinics as we find the interest. We are not be able to set everything up far as we will in the future at this stage. We are polling our members and setting up programs as they are requesting, currently we have the Nuts and Bolts date set, our meeting at the Western, and are working on an on line read and learn section that may have corresponding workshops, both of which will provide CEU opportunities, the fast approaching Pruning Clinic and we are working on an Equipment: Safety and care clinic. We are also working on a professional business series as companion opportunity for the PLANET certification module which will give you the 5th Star in the program. We are preparing to set up an e-blast system for those of yourwho use e-mail. (Please include your best e-mail for this type of communication in your return info) First class mail is still our best choice for our first contact but most expensive. We will not be doing that very often. We do get returns if the company has moved but we have no way to be sure if the business is still there that the employee is still there. If the employee is gone, we may never know. Using your home address is best.
As far as Nursery Day, I am sorry you didn't receive an invitation, that was not in my control but I did so all I could to pass the info along including posting it on the website. Nursery Day is hosted by Missouri Botanical Garden and the local landscape and nursery organization in St Louis however information was posted on the mlna website. If any one contacted me with their e-mail I was able to forward it on to the Garden as an RSVP. We were there in good numbers and did pass out information including our pruning clinic with Bill Spradley that is coming up soon- look at the website blogg for more information. We have added a new board member Kim Lovelace Young and MLNA is now Partners in the Plants of Merit program. The food was good- I wish I had another cookie!
“I have also not received any sort of indication that my certification
has been extended for the last couple of years. Could you please look into
this situation. "
All cert's have been extended during this revision period however they do need to contact the office. I need to verify your information, your level of training and your ID number. We are not issuing new certificates or stickers since we have renamed the program and are making changes. All adv certs will be classified differently than they are now and will automatically have 4 of the 5 stars- (see official title and additional info on website). We are planning to offer a review clinic, once the new master plants list is complete. We hope to have all the plants posted on line in the library as reference and as a study source for those planning to take the certification. We will do all we can to have you be the best ambassadors for the program.
Please send me the contact information you wish to have on record so we can send you additional information pertinent to your membership and certification. We hope to have a mailing ready shortly.
Ps I will send Mike’s e-mail to you too- it is long too as I want to be very clear and be sure you have all your questions answered. He had questions too
MLNA... Growing Together!
MaryAnn Fink
Missouri Landscape & Nursery Association
www.mlna.org
636-939-9079
maryannfink@mlna.org
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