The Certification Discussion Group (CDG) is presented winter and fall. The “series” is broken into “tracks,” composed of seven “sessions” taught by a single instructor. There are usually three “tracks” each season with 20 participants in each class. We usually have at least one daytime and one evening tracks.
The series is 100% online.
Track AGENDA :
Each track is composed of seven sessions of between one to one and a half hours in length.
- Session 1: Introductions, strategies (discussed every session), application process
- Session 2: Code of Ethics & Development Activities
- Session 3: Document work
- Session 4: Research Report
- Session 5: Case Study (1.5 hours)
- Session 6: Kinship Determination Project (1.5 hours)
- Session 7: Wrap up, mentorship program, publishing your work product
The Process:
Sign up: When you sign up by using the Google form on the Sign Up! page, you are placed on a list in the order in which you signed up. Seattle Genealogical Society (SGS) members, and those “on the clock’ receive priority on the list in that order. We attempt to place all individuals (those not requesting deferral) on the list in a track. Most get their first choice. We find that keeping the track size small facilitates discussion.
Course Announcements: About 2 months before the course starts all individuals on the list receive an email supplying dates, times and instructors for each track. We request information from you (again using a Google form) as to your preference of available times. You then indicate your preference for the track, and answer any other questions asked.
You are then placed in a track according to your preference or availability.
If you wish to defer: You can defer. In fact, I urge people to sign up in anticipation of a future class because there is no downside to you. BUT, you must respond and tell us you are deferring. If we do not hear from you after two cycles, you are deleted from the list and you lose your priority on list. Don’t forget which email address you used to sign up, because all communication will go to that address. You could be dropped from the list and not know it. Make sure you check your Spam box as our communication with you can land there as well.
Once the classes are formed (a manual process based on your preferences), another email is sent out to those who received a class assignment giving them the information needed for the series and instructions on how to pay. Those who remain on the wait list whether because of deferral or some other reason are notified of that situation and will be offered another opportunity at the next series offering.
After the classes are formed, a third email is sent to each participant, requesting payment for the course.
There are simple assignments but these rarely take more than one hour and many are less.
How the sessions work:
We use the Zoom.us software platform. Each session is composed of 40-50 minutes of presentation and the remainder composed of questions from the attendees either during the presentation or after. Each session is a minimum of one hour long.
A specially created and password protected website will be available to you throughout the session. It is usually composed of:
- The Powerpoint agenda that each facilitator will work from, either directly or by reference
- extra resources that relate to that particular session
- the next session’s “assignment” (not required and not difficult)
Portfolios are stored in the Portfolio Library in a Dropbox account. The link will be supplied to you after you have paid for the course and before the first class. these materials are copyrighted and cannot be shared with anyone ever. If you cannot abide by that requirement, do not sign up for the course.
The commitment of time is yours to control. Sometimes if you cannot attend one session, another is available–just ask. The sessions are not recorded. The content, including handouts, is protected by copyright and is not to be shared with other non-attendees. We value the trust that others have given us by sharing their portfolios and know that you will abide by the law in not sharing the work product of others of non-attendees.
If you are interested, visit our Sign Up! page and you will be placed on the wait list for the next session.
Our Portfolio Journey 