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March 2006 - PGMS Pages - Certification is Constructive‚Äö?Ñ????묨?Just for Starters03-03-06 | News



Certification is Constructive?EUR??,,????'?????<

By Thomas C. Shaner

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Thomas C. Shaner is the Executive Director, serving the Board of the Professional Grounds Management Society.


Perhaps you?EUR??,,????'?????<

That, more than anything else, is the mission of PGMS; to help develop better grounds management professionals, so that they, in turn, can better serve their employers and thus enhance the environment for all of us to enjoy.

One of the most constructive ways in which PGMS is seeking to meet its mission is through its highly recognized Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) program. Initiated in 1981, this dynamic recognition program has finally begun to blossom with a greater number of professionals entering the program each year. In the immediate future, for instance, it is expected that the American Public Works Association (APWA) will adopt and endorse the PGMS CGM program to its thousands of members.

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Donald Bottger, CGM, the Assistant Facility Manager of the expansive San Diego Convention Center, adds, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

And, Ellen Newell CGM, Assistant Director of Grounds Services at Arizona State University, says, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

For those interested in becoming a Certified Grounds Manager, there is a simple but specific prescribed procedure. A candidate must either:

  1. have a Bachelor of Science in a recognized green industry field, including management and four years of experience in the field of grounds maintenance, of which two years are supervisory;
  2. have a two year degree from a recognized college or junior college, plus six years of experience in the grounds maintenance field with a minimum of three years of supervisory experience; or
  3. have eight years in the grounds maintenance field, with a minimum of four years of supervisory experience.

Once a candidate is deemed eligible?EUR??,,????'?????<

The closed book test contains questions on: insects and diseases, soils, trees and shrubs, turfgrass, chemicals and fertilizers and general management principles.

Part two of the CGM examination process is an open book exam. This is a newly revised take home examination to be completed by the applicant based on personal experience and the local situation. Candidates have one year to complete this component for review by the PGMS CGM committee.

The open book test consists of: site inventory, operations inventory, turf management, trees, shrubs and ground covers, irrigation, pavings, management skills, budgets and finances.

The application and examination fee for PGMS members is only $150.

Further information on the PGMS CGM program can be found online at www.PGMS.org


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