August 21, 2007

NEW CERTIFICATION PLAN UNVEILED FOR ADVENTIST COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS

Silver Spring, Maryland—A plan to enhance, update, and strengthen communication skills of professionals serving the world Seventh-day Adventist church in communication capacities was announced today.

Certification will be available in up to six tracks, including Media Relations, Journalism, Web Communication, Public Relations, Corporate Communication, and Media Production. The Media Relations and Journalism tracks will be available first.

The Communication Certification Program’s (CCP) first events and electives for certification will be delivered at the Society of Adventist Communicators’ conference in Nashville October 11-14, 2007, according to Fred Kinsey, assistant to the president for communication in the North American Division.

“With a wide variety of seminars being offered at the annual SAC Convention, it will be very convenient for Adventist communication professionals to earn the NAD communication certification in a few years," said Kinsey. "We hope people will take advantage of the professional development courses so they can earn the NAD communication certification,” he added.

Requirements for certification include a core course in journalism fundamentals, an exam over the Seventh-day Adventist Communication Department Code of Ethics and the AP Stylebook or its international equivalent, an externship, professional readings, and elective CEUs that apply toward various tracks. Candidates will have three years to complete the program.

“Communication personnel function at higher levels than ever before in today’s complex information environment. They are counselors, high-level strategists, crisis communicators, and spokespersons to media entities,” said Rajmund Dabrowski, director of communication for the Seventh-day Adventist world church. “Not only will certification address foundation skills necessary for effective day-to-day operations, but certification will also provide high-end skills to help the Church communicate its strategic mission focusing on unity, growth, and quality of life.

“Communication professionals must be up on Adventist corporate identity, communication theory, communication laws and regulations, and trends in new technology, including social networking,” Dabrowski said. 

“More than ever, communicators are intricately involved in supporting the direction, strategies, and visions of the world church with embedded and intentional communication plans,” Dabrowski said. “Certification of our professionals will help the world church be more effective in building relationships and protecting our reputation.”

The Society of Adventist Communicators will offer a number of workshops, presentations, and seminars that will apply toward certification, according to George Johnson Jr., associate director of communication for the North American Division and executive director for the Society of Adventist Communicators. For an application and more information about the Society of Adventist Communicators’ annual convention, go to www.adventistcommunicator.org.

Dr. Pamela Maize Harris, a consultant, researcher, and professor of communication at Andrews University, believes the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only denomination offering certification to its employees and members. Dabrowski, Harris, Johnson, and Kinsey were the architects of the certification program.

For more information, please contact George Johnson Jr. at (301) 680-6057 or by email.


CCP Description | CCP Requirements | CCP Application | Approved CCP Electives | CEU (Electives) Form

Journalism Track | Media Relations Track | Public Relations and Corporate Communication Track | Web Communication/Social Networking Track | Media Production Track