From the Board: Education Ignited
by Mark Springer, CR
RIA is pleased to announce the publication of the Body of Knowledge, a multi-year, multi-phased implementation plan to redevelop the CR program.
In 2011, the CR Body of Knowledge and Curriculum Committee initiated the process of defining the restoration profession and its competencies in the first document of its kind in the industry; the CR Body of Knowledge, (BofK). After more than 20,000 volunteer hours — from individuals representing more than 40 companies — and two extensive peer review processes, the CR BofK is setting the industry standard for the 21st century restoration professional.
The BofK is available for free download on the RIA website, www.restorationindustry.org. Please take a few minutes to download and review the document.
As opposed to the long and arduous process of earning your CR of years past, we have now broken it up into manageable pieces that fit your needs as a professional. It is a multi-year journey, where members can earn four designations (in any order desirable), including: WLS (Water Loss Specialist), FLS (Fire Loss Specialist), CLS (Contents Loss Specialist) and ERS (Environmental Restoration Specialist).
The WLS program has matured over the years, and is currently moving into a phase of re-development and revision. The new designations will come to the marketplace over the coming three years, with a new offering each fall until 2020. We are excited to see these new designations take shape, and we expect that RIA members will find tremendous value in attaining them.
Once all four have been achieved, it all culminates with the process of earning of your CR designation. Following that, participants will be asked to complete thesis projects, which will then become part of a library of advanced documents to be made available for all members — a growing library of knowledge for the industry.
As a restoration professional, we understand that a rich learning process comes over time, in tandem with valuable work experiences. We also know that you desire rewarding and invigorating learning with a sense of accomplishment. This approach provides a much clearer and more successful learning path for members, while at the same time increases the professionalism that comes with earing the achievement.
And speaking of rewarding experiences — we hope you will be in attendance at the International Restoration Convention, February 14-16, in Austin, Texas. This is shaping up to be an event unlike any you’ve ever experienced with RIA.
Our annual conference committee has been working tirelessly over the past year to re-invent this experience around one very important foundation: great content. That is not to say that we haven’t had great content at past events; instead it is more around the idea of delivering fresh, unique and innovative content that has never been delivered previously.
I hope to see you in Austin. If our paths cross, please let me know your thoughts on the course of action we are pursuing with education at RIA. Your thoughts are important to us as we seek to meet not only the needs of the industry, but also the needs of all of our members, big and small.
Mark Springer, CR, is employed as the president of Dayspring Restoration, which is based in Western Montana. Mark has 23 years of experience in disaster recovery and mitigation, and over that time he has achieved many certifications and accreditations applicable to the restoration industry. Mark routinely serves as an expert witness for litigation on restoration projects. Dayspring Restoration is very engaged in the local community, and Mark serves on numerous non-profit boards and committees. Mark is married to his high school sweetheart, Angie. Mark and Angie have been blessed with four beautiful daughters. When he's not spending time with his girls, Mark is an avid bowhunter, downhill skier, scuba diver and competitive shooter.