Deadline Extended for CPF Scholorships

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Rob Markoff

Rob Markoff

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Mar 8, 1999
Posts
5,183
Loc
San Diego, CA USA
PPFA Members or employees of member shops have an extra month to apply for assistance this year as the deadline to apply for the scholorship has been extended to September 1, 2008.

PPFA awards scholarships to 5 applicants each year. The scholarship pays for a sitting at the CPF exam and a COMPLETE SET OF REFERENCE BOOKS (valued at approximately $425).

Applicants must have worked in picture framing for at least one year and not previously have taken the CPF exam. Applications must be accompanied by a resume outlining the applicant's employment history, educational accomplishments, and involvement in community and PPFA activities. A letter of recommendation from a PPFA member is strongly encouraged but not required.

Applications will be evaluated by a five-member panel, which will make its selections based on the above criteria. Only one award per PPFA Chapter will be made per calendar year. Recipients will be named by October 31 and must redeem their awards by the end of 2009.

For more information please contact Krystin Wheeler at 800 762-9287 or email her at kwheeler@pmai.org. More info at the PPFA website www.ppfa.com.
 
After 20 years, I've never taken the test. However I aced the sample test. Again I am entertaining the thought of the prestigious CPF title. But that requires PPFA membership, and as I recall a re-upping certification every 5 years. I checked on line and all I see is the "trial" membership app. for $50 to take you through Sept.

What are the annual membership dues?
What are the guidelines of maintaining a CPF cert?

Seriously...I ask you members and non members (anyone but a PPFA rep) what is the true benefit of PPFA? Most shops I worked for in the past were members just for the sticker on the door and plaque on the wall. I never saw the implementation of membership tools. What great wisdom is it that you can't get from PFM or the G?

If you wish to not post publicly, I'd gladly read your PM.
 
You do not have to be a PPFA member to become a CPF. If you are a member you do get a discount on the test fee and you can get the recommended study books at a member discount.

To maintain your CPF certification you have to take a day-long recertification class once every four years. These are offered at most of the major trade shows, the annual convention and some of the larger regional events. If you are not able to make it, you can take a tele-ed class which is essentially a conference call one night a week over three consecutive weeks.

To dispel a commonly held notion, you do NOT have to take the test again to keep the certification current. Only if you let it lapse will you have to test gain.
 
With that clarification I guess I don't qualify for the scholarship. Rats!!

I'm still curious about the benies of PPFA though.

Super big thanks for clearing this up for us all FramerDave.
 
You DO NOT have to be a PPFA member to take the test, but you DO have to be a member (or work for a member shop) to qualify for the CPF Scholarship.
 
For years PPFA has offered the best planned-education programs in the industry, as recommended studies for the CPF and MCPF exams. PPFA has a great Bookstore, too. I believe they have the broadest selection of framing books, and at discount prices. I know several PPFA members who have saved more than a year's dues just in book discounts.

Associated with PPFA certifications and the Bookstore, a taskforce is working to revise and re-write the PPFA Guidelines for framing works of art on paper and canvas, photographs, giclees, an objects. When it is done, the series will represent a new benchmark in framing guidelines.

PPFA chapters provide a support group for members in several major metropolitan areas. The meetings are well planned and informative, and they usually schedule framing classes of interest to the members.

The PPFA Online Exchange, aka 'HitchHikers' has been a broadcast email forum for members, active since 1997. Merrill Grayson started it, and owns it to this day, but has graciously offered it to PPFA members, and only PPFA members.

Some of the other PPFA benefits appeal to members, such as business insurance, credit card processing, and some excellent marketing & advertising aids.

The PPFA Framers' Corner is a forum something like The Grumble, but for PPFA members only. Its first attempt did not work very well, as it was slow and cumbersome to navigate.

Next Monday, PPFA will launch its new Framers' Corner, which is a completely new, much-improved format.

Like all trade associations, PPFA works for the members who make it work for them. Framers who want to pay a price and have all sorts of stuff thrown their way are usually disappointed. If you are unsure, you can give it a low-cost try with the trial membership.
 
What do you have to lose?

If I was a PPFA member who hadn't taken the CPF test, I would apply for the scholarship. What are you afraid of? All of the cheers that you will get when you pass? Having you photo put in the newspaper? It doesn't cost to apply for the scholarship and if you get it, they give you the entire collection of books. They even pay for the exam.

Way back when in '91 when I was a mere child, they didn't offer a scholarship. I bought 1/2 of the books and borrowed half from our PPFA chapter library. I constantly refer to these sources even to this day.

Are you passionate about framing? Do you want to be your best for your customers? Do you want to expand your knowledge? Do you care about your job and profession? Write it down, fill out the form and send it in-FAST as the deadline is approaching. IS there another PPFA member that might write a few words on your behalf? Tell them what you need, and I'm sure that they will support you. If you don't get the scholarship, take the test anyway. It's great for PR for your business and you will not regret it.

Susan, proud MCPF :icon21:

PS: I urged Ms. "BatesMotel" to try out for the scholarship last year and she got it and passed the test. Yeah, Carla!
 
There's always next year

Imaluma,

Join now PPFA now, and check out the great chapter that you have in the St. Louis area. (Ken, Barb, Carolyn are you out there?) I bet that they will welcome you. You will get your $50 bucks worth if you make an effort to show up to some of their events, the Framers Corner and HitchHikers. You might check out the business insurance too-we saved lots of $$$. Good luck and hope to see the initials CPF after Imaluma next year. :smiley:

Susan MCPF
 
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