Answers to Certification Questions we have received

First and foremost I wish to apologize that this edition of the blog is a few days late. I caught a horrible cold while on my trip to California and spent the time I would worked on this resting so I could finish out my horses. That said, when I started this blog I expected to be flooded with Certification questions. While not a flood these are the ones we have received either recently or in the instance of Darby Holden's question, repeatedly.

On an end note I want to extend a personal wish to each and everyone of you for a joyous holiday and a happy new year. 

T

Why is the certified farrier shoe boards not graded in front of everyone to see? Is it not supposed to be a learning experience?

Chris Attkisson

According to Certification Chair Greg Burdette, sometimes they are. “When and where the shoe boards are judged is up to the individual examiner and depends on several factors. Mainly it is a time consideration. If it works out where there can be open judging of the shoe board there is nothing to prohibit an examiner from doing so.” Burdette said. “I do know that there are examiners who prefer that the judging is open and do so when it is possible. That said it still boils down to time management and getting the entire test completed.” He continued.

Burdette also emphasized; “I don’t want people to get confused by this point. Every shoe board is gone over with their respective candidate, whether that is aside or in front of the other candidates. “

Why doesn't the AFA allow candidates make shoes with concave???

Darby Holden Via the “Dear AFA” Facebook page

According to Past Certification Chair and current Certification Committee member Dennis Manning- “The decision to not permit the use of concave section material had to do with the additional or higher skill required for the placement of nail holes in flat stock.”

From an administrative aspect - Leadership has never been asked to even investigate the different sections that would be allowed for certification. In other words; there has never been a demand to change from what is currently available.

Dear Sir,

 I have been trying to acquire information on the Educator's endorsement for some time now. Could you please assist me in at least procuring an outline of the test please? 

 Many thanks, 

 David J. Barron CJF, APF

(updated 3/21/14)

There is actually procedure concerning the Educator Endorsement it is located beginning on page 30 of the Association's Certification Guide. I regret the answer that previously occupied this space and offer my personal apologies to Mr. Barron. 
PDF formats of the Certification Guide are free to AFA members upon request. You can request them at info@americanfarriers.org 

(Post Prepared by Thomas N. Trosin with Certification Committee) 

Next Post: January 11,2014- The Board of Directors

Progress- One Question at a time

When I got the idea to start this blog it was with the intent that it wouldn't only answer questions, but it might create progress in the association. Further it might remind leadership of things we should be doing. The following question is perfect.

This installment’s question comes from long time AFA supporter Ken Norman.

Tom:

 Since when did the AFA start giving out member pins? I've been a member since 1991, Member number 3001 and I've never gotten one.

 Ken

You can’t imagine that anyone in current leadership actually knows when the AFA started giving out membership pins, but it’s been awhile.  The first time I saw a membership pin it was at the first Portland Convention, I walked up to a table with Jamie Guignion where a volunteer sat with a box of pins and a list. He stated his name and the volunteer looked at the list and handed him an appropriate pin. Others had preceded and followed accordingly. I never gave it much thought until I got Ken’s email.

For the record the pins are:5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and now 40 year pins, but the fact is that they are distributed and that the members who have stuck in there deserve them. That said it is the lack of policy at the Association level that has the distribution of them inexact.

What’s happening now- Since the office staff has learned of this question, they are going through the association record and seeing who has gotten pins and who hasn't, they have added a field to your membership record to note if your pins have been distributed and at the time of this writing preparing a mailing of pins to those members who have earned them. Staff has also drafted office policy that will go before the Board of Directors for approval in Reno this February, to distribute pins with future membership renewals. That said the question of membership pins is not finalized.

While, I am sure that there was a decision made in the past to have the pins, unfortunately that decision wasn’t noted in the corporate record book. Fortunately because we have these pesky bylaws and policies to protect the Association, the board will have to approve the pins and a method of distribution. This should take place in Reno as well.

The Next installment of this blog will be December 21^st- Certification questions we have received to this point

(This post Prepared by Thomas N. Trosin, with assistance of Staff)