---

(as amended 10/08/11)

Article I. Members of the Board of Directors

Members of the Board of Directors may represent accredited, active, or associate members.

Section  1.  Accredited.  Accredited members are members with Certified Public Manager® programs which have been accredited by the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium.  Accreditation will be granted for a five-year period.

Section  2.  Active.  Active members are members which have applied for membership and which are developing their programs for accreditation.  Active membership will be granted for an indefinite period.

Section  3.  Associate.  Associate members are members which have an interest in establishing Certified Public Manager® programs but which do not meet the criteria for active membership. Associate memberships will be granted for two-year periods and may be renewed upon written application.

Article II. Applications for Membership

Section  1.  Accredited.  A written request for an initial accreditation review or a review for continuing accreditation is an application for accredited member status.

Section  2.  Active.  Active membership may be requested in writing by an associate member. The application must include a letter from the Governor or other appropriate governmental officials which demonstrates support for the proposed program.

Section  3.  Associate.  Associate membership may be requested in writing by an eligible entity with an interest in establishing a Certified Public Manager® program.

Section  4.  Action.  Accredited and active memberships will be granted upon a majority vote of the accredited and active members of the Board of Directors. Associate memberships will be granted upon favorable action on the application by the Executive Council. (Amended 5/99)

Section  5.  Inactive.  A member may be placed on inactive status by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors for non-payment of fees, non-attendance at annual meetings, lack of continuing accreditation, failure to maintain program standards or lack of graduates.  Prior to a vote a task force appointed by the Chair will review and recommend action to the Board.  Inactive status is subject to annual review by the Board of Directors.  (Adopted 5/99)

A.  Inactive membership shall be for a period of no longer than two years from the date of action by the Board of Directors.  Dues and applicable fees shall be paid during the period in Inactive status. (Adopted 9/09, 10/10; 10/11)

B.  By the end of the two years in Inactive status, the member shall present, and the Board of Directors shall approve a plan detailing steps the member will complete to resume Accredited membership, assuming that dues and fees are paid to date and that accreditation is current.  If accreditation is not current, the Inactive member must complete a continuing accreditation review with a positive recommendation for accreditation before the Board of Directors considers restoring Accredited membership. (Adopted 9/09, amended 10/10)

C.  At the end of two years if a plan to resume Active membership is not submitted and approved by the Board of Directors, the Inactive membership shall end and membership in the Consortium is terminated.  As of that time there is no Certified Public

Manager® program in that political jurisdiction and the Consortium will consider membership applications from qualified organizations.  Should the former member be approved to rejoin the Consortium, they shall be considered a new member and join the Consortium as an Associate member. (Adopted 9/09, amended 10/10)

D.  Recognizing that there are varying circumstances that may be responsible for Inactive membership, the Board of Directors shall have full discretion in interpreting and applying, with cause, paragraphs, A-D of this Section.  (Adopted 9/09)

Section  6.  Withdrawal of Membership.  Requests for withdrawal of membership or of accreditation will be made in writing to the Chair of the Board of Directors and may be submitted at any time. (Amended 5/99, 10/10)

Section  7.  Termination of Membership.  The Board of Directors or the Executive Council may terminate membership in the Consortium of any program failing to meet the criteria in Section 5 or not responding as specified when in Inactive Status.

Termination of membership from the Consortium means that there is no Certified Public Manager® program in that political jurisdiction and the Consortium will consider membership applications from qualified organizations.(Adopted 10/10)

Article III. Accreditation

Section  1.  Purpose.  Accreditation standards outlined in Section 2 of this article are standards which are intended to maintain and improve the quality of Certified Public Manager® programs.  The standards are not intended to dictate curriculum or administrative specifics for each program but are intended to provide a framework within which each program may be evaluated.
 

Section  2.  Standards

A.  Program Administration.  Each active program shall designate two individuals to represent the program on the Consortium Board of Directors.  Each program shall identify a director responsible for implementing accreditation standards and officiating in matters of program administration.  Each program shall establish a partnership between government and higher education.  Each program shall have an advisory board.  An advisory board shall include, at a minimum, representation from a government organization, a higher education institution and a current or former CPM participant.  The advisory board shall provide, at a minimum, constructive review of curriculum and/or administrative procedures.  An advisory board shall convene, at a minimum, annually and record minutes. (Amended 9/07, amended 10/10)

B.  Program Design.  Each program will provide opportunities for participants to apply the training to their work environment situations.  Learning outcomes related to core competencies shall be identified in each course or learning activity.  (Amended 10/10)

C.  Competencies.  The core curriculum shall address all of the following core competencies. (Adopted 9/06; amended 10/10)

1.  Personal and Organizational Integrity

Increasing awareness, building skills and modeling behaviors related to identifying potential ethical problems and conflicts of interest; appropriate workplace behavior; and legal and policy compliance.

2.  Managing Work

Meeting organizational goals through effective planning, prioritizing, organizing and aligning human, financial, material and information resources. Empowering others by delegating clear job expectations; providing meaningful feedback and coaching; creating a motivational environment and measuring performance.  Monitoring workloads and documenting performance. Dealing effectively with performance problems.

3.  Leading People

Inspiring others to positive action through a clear vision; promotes a diverse workforce. Encouraging and facilitating cooperation, pride, trust and group identity; fostering commitment and team spirit. Articulating a vision, ideas and facts in a clear and organized way; effectively managing emotions and impulses.

4.  Developing Self

Demonstrating commitment to continuous learning, self-awareness and individual performance planning through feedback, study and analysis.

5.  Systemic Integration

Approaching planning, decision-making and implementation from an enterprise perspective; understanding internal and external relationships that impact the organization.

6.  Public Service Focus

Delivering superior services to the public and internal and external recipients; including customer/client identification, expectations, needs and developing and implementing paradigms, processes and procedures that exude positive spirit and climate; demonstrating agency and personal commitment to quality service.

7.  Change Leadership

Acting as a change agent; initiating and supporting change within the organization by implementing strategies to help others adapt to changes in the work environment, including personal reactions to change; emphasizing and fostering creativity and innovation; being proactive.

D.  Program Hours.  The program shall consist of a minimum of 300 hours of structured learning activities addressing the CPM competency model.  At least 250 hours shall be instructor or facilitator directed.  The remaining hours shall be approved learning activities with specific learning objectives.  Such learning activities may include, but are not limited to, application projects, structured readings, comprehensive examinations, and other approved workshops/courses. (Amended 9/07, amended 10/10)

E.  Learning or Job-Related Projects. There shall be a requirement for participants to complete a public management project, which shall include a written demonstration of participants' effectiveness in applying the core competencies to their job environment.  The requirements and evaluation criteria for projects shall be clearly specified. Methods for delivering individual feedback on projects shall be in place. Group projects shall have clearly defined individual responsibilities.  (Amended 9/07, amended 10/10)

F.  Evaluation of Participants.  The program shall provide substantive evaluation of knowledge and practical application in all competencies described in Section 2B. Evaluation may be by oral examinations, written examinations, or assessment evaluations. Evaluation requirements and criteria shall be clearly specified. Amended 9/06, 10/10)

G.  Program Evaluation. The program shall measure program effectiveness and maintain this documentation. Provisions shall be established for responding to and incorporating feedback. (Amended 10/10)

H.  Enrollment Requirements.  The program shall admit participants from any public sector entity within its authorized jurisdiction.  The program may admit participants from private sector at its discretion.  The program shall not require participants to enroll in or complete an academic degree program as a condition for admission.  The program may establish reasonable minimum qualifications and requirements for admission into the program. Minimum enrollment requirements shall be clearly stated and disclosed to prospective participants. (Amended 9/07, amended 10/10)

I.  Certification Requirements.  The program shall clearly state and disclose the requirements for the Certified Public Manager® designation to participants.  (Adopted 10/10)

J.  Program Funding.  The program shall demonstrate that sufficient funding is in place to sustain the program.  Funding sources and amounts shall be identified and compared to current operating costs. (Adopted 10/10)

K.  Policies and Procedures.  Written policies and procedures exist on:

1.  admitting participants,

2.  evaluating and testing participants,

3.  awarding credit for core courses, electives and substitutions,

4.  maintaining and handling participant records,

5.  protecting confidentiality and privacy, and

6.  implementing continuous improvement.  

(Adopted 10/10)

Article IV. Program Review Procedures

Section 1.  Accreditation Review Committees

A.  For both initial and continuing accreditation, the chair will appoint an accreditation review committee consisting of three members.  The committee chair shall be a Consortium member from an accredited program; a current CPM instructor from an accredited program; a Certified Public Manager® from a currently accredited CPM program. The chair of the review committee shall not be a current or former mentor of the requesting member. (Adopted 10/11)

B.  In the event the chair or any member of an accreditation committee is unable to continue as a member of the committee, the Executive Council shall appoint a replacement according to the criteria in paragraph A from an accredited program as soon as possible.  (Adopted 10/11)

Section 2.  Request for Initial Review. 

A.  When an active member has developed a program which it feels meets all accreditation standards, it may request an accreditation review.  Written requests will be made in writing to the Board of Directors no later than six months before the member expects to award the Certified Public Manager® designation.  (Amended 10/11)

B.  Program Review Materials.  The requesting active member will submit the following program materials to each member of the accreditation review committee:

1.  A narrative descriptive overview of the program which provides information such as linkages with higher education and the role of an advisory governing board.  (A program brochure will be helpful.)

2.  Information concerning the organization and function of the program to include an organization and functions chart which describes responsibilities for administration of the program, funding data, and biographical data on instructors. (Amended 5/99)

3.  Copies of program administrative materials such as policies on confidentiality, examinations, job-related project(s), electives, and certification requirements.

4.  Coursework delivery schedule.

5.  Curriculum materials which include module titles, synopses of key points, learning objectives, and training schedules.

6.  Copies of examination or participant evaluation instruments.

7.  Copies of coursework evaluation forms and a summary of a random sample of these evaluations.

8.  A listing of a representative sample of participants indicating names, addresses and telephone numbers.

9.  A statement of perceived strengths and weaknesses (if any) of the program and planned enhancement and corrective actions (if any).

C. Committee Review Actions.  The committee will review these program materials and, within ninety calendar days following receipt of all accreditation materials, the committee chair will report committee initial findings and recommendations in writing to the active member and solicit comments.  Travel costs incurred as a result of a site visit will be paid by the active member requesting accreditation.

D.  Procedures for Initial Accreditation Review.  There shall be attached to the Bylaws procedures to be followed in the initial accreditation reviews.  These procedures shall be approved and may be amended by the Board of Directors at an annual meeting and shall not be retroactive.

E.  Site Visit for Initial Accreditation.  A site visit is mandatory for an initial accreditation review.  At least one member of the accreditation review committee shall personally visit the program requesting the review.  Travel expenses for one committee member to conduct the site visit shall be paid by the member requesting a continuing accreditation review.  (Amended 9/06)

F.  Committee Recommendations.  The final report of its findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Board of Directors at the next annual or special meeting.  A copy of the final findings and recommendations will be furnished to the active member.

G.  Action by Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors may grant accreditation, deny accreditation, which may be cause for further action pursuant to Article II of these Bylaws or may grant provisional accreditation.  The action of the Board of Directors will be furnished in writing to the active member within fifteen calendar days.

If provisional accreditation is granted, a second accreditation review will be conducted with final action by the Board of Directors taken within six months of initiation.  The Board of Directors may grant or deny accreditation as a final action on the application for accreditation.

H.  The Certified Public Manager® designation shall not be awarded until the Board of Directors has voted to accredit the program. (Adopted 10/10)

Section  3. Continuing Accreditation Review.

A.  Request for Continuing Accreditation Review.  At an annual meeting one year preceding the expiration of accreditation, accredited members will request in writing accreditation reviews.

1.  If the Consortium requests the member to change the year of a scheduled accreditation review, then the member begins a five year accreditation at the approval of the accreditation report. (Adopted 9/09)

2.  If an accredited CPM program requests a review extension and the extension is granted by the Board of Directors or the Executive Council that extension shall be for no more than one year.  Any extension granted will be considered as part of the five-year accreditation period, and will not change the original five-year cycle. (Adopted 9/09)

B.  Procedures for Continuing Accreditation Review.  There shall be attached to the Bylaws procedures to be followed in the continuing accreditation reviews.  These procedures shall be approved and may be amended by the Board of Directors at an annual meeting and shall not be retroactive.

C.  Site Visit for Continuing Accreditation Review.  A site visit for continuing accreditation is required unless the chair of the Consortium grants a waiver upon the request of the chair of the continuing accreditation committee.

Travel expenses for one committee member to conduct the site visit shall be paid by the member requesting a continuing accreditation review. (Amended 4/02)

D.  Committee Recommendations.  The final report of its findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Board of Directors at the next annual or special meeting.  A copy of the final findings and recommendations will be furnished to the member. (Adopted 9/09)

E.  Action by the Board of Directors.

1.  The Board of Directors may grant continuing accreditation, deny continuing accreditation, which may be cause for further action pursuant to Article II of these Bylaws, or may grant provisional continuing accreditation.  The action by the Board of Directors will be furnished in writing to the member within fifteen calendar days. (Adopted 9/09)

2.  If provisional continuing accreditation is granted, a second accreditation review will be

conducted with final action by the Board of Directors taken within six months of initiation.  The Board of Directors may grant or deny continuing accreditation as a final action on the application for accreditation. (Adopted 9/09)

Section  4.  Development Review.  When an active member has developed no more than 50 percent of its program, a developmental review to provide feedback regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the program may be requested in writing to the Board of Directors.  The Chair normally will appoint the mentor program as a committee to conduct the developmental review.  Travel costs incurred as a result of a site visit will be paid by the member requesting the review.  An informal report of the findings and recommendations of the committee will be furnished to the requesting member.

The Board of Directors may initiate a developmental review of an active member if it appears there has been insufficient progress by a member to implement its Program.  The Chair will appoint a review committee of at least three representatives of accredited members and will receive its findings and recommendations at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.  Travel costs incurred as a result of a site visit will be paid by the member being reviewed.

If this review is not completed because of a failure on the part of the member being reviewed to provide sufficient information for review, the membership status of the member will be assessed in accordance with Article I, Section 2 of the Bylaws.

Section  5.  Special Review.  A special review for cause may be conducted at any time at the request of a majority of voting members of the Board of Directors.  The Chair will appoint a special review committee consisting of not less than three representatives or accredited members which will submit a report of findings and recommendations at the next meeting of the Board of Directors. The Consortium will fund site visits determined to be required for special reviews.

Section  6.  Fee Structure.  Fees shall be charged by the Consortium for the Initial Accreditation Review, and each Continuing Accreditation Review.  A membership fee /annual meeting fee shall be assessed to each accredited, active and associate member.  Dues and fees shall be payable to the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium and are not refundable unless authorized by the Board of Directors or the Executive Council and shall be mailed to the Consortium’s designated address or deposited in the Consortium bank account via electronic deposit with prior approval.  Fees are payable as follows:  (Amended 6/0; 10/11)

A.  Initial Accreditation Fee - $500.00 payable by check or purchase, order or electronic deposit prior to the date the review materials are submitted to the chair of the review committee.  Travel expenses for a site visit by one member of the accreditation review committee are payable by the member requesting initial accreditation (See also SOPs p. 10).  (Amended 6/01, 9/08; 10/11)

B.  Continuing Accreditation Fee - $500.00 payable by check or purchase, order or electronic deposit prior to the date the review materials are submitted to the chair of the review committee.  Travel expenses for a site visit by one member of the accreditation review committee are payable by the member requesting continuing accreditation (See also SOPs p. 10).  (Amended 6/01, 9/08; 10/11)

C.  Annual Dues/Meeting Fee - $500.00 per accredited, active and associate member, payable upon receipt of invoice. (Amended 6/00; 6/04; 9/08)

D.  The Board of Directors or the Executive Council may specify a Consortium registration fee relative to the projected costs of the Annual Meeting or midyear meeting.  (Adopted 10/11)

E.  Payment of Fees (Adopted 6/01)

a. Membership Dues/Annual Meeting Fee.

(1)  Accredited and active members failing to pay membership fees/annual meeting fee within 90 days of the date of the invoice shall be ineligible to vote or participate in an annual meeting or for an initial or continuing accreditation review until the arrears are paid in full, including the current year and accreditation review fees.  An official purchase order is acceptable for payment. (Amended 4/02)

(2)  Associate members failing to pay membership dues/annual meeting fee shall be ineligible for renewal of associate status or for active status until the arrears are paid in full, including the current year.  An official purchase order is acceptable for payment. (Amended 4/02)

b.  Initial or Continuing Accreditation Fees

An active or accredited member requesting initial or continuing accreditation and failing to pay the required fee by the date of the annual meeting shall not be considered for initial or continuing accreditation at the annual meeting.  An official purchase order is acceptable for payment. 

F.  Fee Changes.  Fees may be changed by the Board of Directors at an annual meeting, but shall not be retroactive.  (Amended 5/99)

Article V. Amendments and Exceptions

These Bylaws may be amended by a majority of the voting members of the Board of Directors.  Proposed amendments to the Bylaws must be distributed to members of the Board of Directors at least thirty days before such amendments are to be considered.  Voting on such amendments may be done at any meeting of the Board of Directors, by telephone, or by mail.  Exceptions to these Bylaws may be approved by a majority vote of the voting members of the Board of Directors at any meeting of the Board of Directors, by telephone, or by mail.