Category Archives: ICAPGen member spotlights

Accreditation, Application process, ICAPGen member spotlights, Volunteer opportunities

Behind the scenes with the Testing Committee

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behind_the_scenes

Have you been through the accreditation process?  Is it one of your goals?  A big part of accreditation is the testing process, and the ICAPGen℠ Testing Committee is responsible for administering all aspects of this process for 41 different areas of accreditation.  As you can imagine, it is very involved! It requires the efforts of many volunteers.

We thought you might benefit from a look at some of the roles of the committee members, and invite you to get involved as a volunteer.  Some of the roles require accreditation, but others are open to everyone.  Some positions can be fulfilled remotely, and some need to be present at the testing site.

We have thirteen individuals serving on the Testing Committee in roles such as Committee Chair, Assistant Chair, Presentation and Marketing Assistant, Special Testing Circumstances, Oral Review Co-Chair, Testing Secretary, Website Manager, Remote Testing Coordinator, Level 1 Chair, Level 2 Chair, Test Preparation Specialist, Proctor Coordinator, Test Development Coordinator, and various Regional Chairs. That’s a lot of volunteers, but we have need for more!

We currently have openings for the following positions that require accreditation: You can express interest in these positions or ask questions via email:

  • Presentation & Marketing Specialists – An opening for Lead.  Assistant is already in place.
  • Level 1 Co-Chair (someone to assist a Co-Chair who is already in place)
  • Level 3 Chair
  • Oral Review Co-Chair (1 opening)
  • Test Update Specialist
  • Test Day Raters (We need many people to be on a list to help rate Level 1 projects and Level 3 tests remotely, and to attend test day as needed to rate Level 2 tests.)
  • Volunteers to review applications and renewal reports – we have a checklist you use to review them, and this can be as infrequent or frequent a commitment as you’d like.

We also have openings for the following positions which do not require accreditation:

ICAPGen is a premier credentialing organization for genealogists, and we are appreciative of the standard of excellence set by our AG professionals as researchers and educators. Throughout the genealogy community Accredited Genealogist professionals are contributing and leading out, and our organization continues to grow as individuals meet the challenge of accreditation. We invite you to be a part of ICAPGen!

 

ICAPGen member spotlights

Introducing Debbie Gurtler, AG®, accredited for research in Spain and U.S. Mid-South

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Debbie GurtlerDebbie graduated with honors from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree in Family History. She worked as an intern at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. She has also made research trips to Spain, Virginia, and North Carolina.

She is employed by FamilySearch where she is currently the supervisor of the Missionary Training team at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. She is fluent in Spanish. She can also read genealogical documents in Portuguese, Italian, and French.

Debbie serves as a commissioner on the board for the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists and her assignment is webmaster for the ICAPGen℠ website.

Debbie holds two AG® credentials. One is for the United States Mid-South region. She has done extensive research in North Carolina and Virginia. The other is for Spain where she has done research in various parts of the country.

We asked Debbie to share a little bit about her role as ICAPGen webmaster, and also about her areas of accreditation:

What is your role in ICAPGen, and how long have you been serving?

I am the webmaster and a commissioner.  I think I’ve been serving since 2012.

What are some of the responsibilities, opportunities, or challenges in your role?

Maintaining the website and keeping the information current.  Thankfully, I have some great helpers.

What motivated you to pursue accreditation?

I work at the Family History Library and it is required for my job.  I also appreciate that an accreditation acknowledges that I have studied and know what I’m doing.

What are some challenging or unique aspects to researching in your area of accreditation?

One of my accreditations is in the U.S. Mid-South region.  The challenges there are burned counties and changing jurisdictions, speaking specifically of South Carolina. I love reading land records which are vital to early research in this area. My other accreditation is in Spain and the challenges there involve record access. Many of the records for Spain are only accessible in Spain. I love to travel though. 🙂

What advice do you have for those pursuing accreditation?

It seems daunting but if you persevere you’ll make it. Just keep working and studying. Find a mentor to offer you advice and support.

What are some of your goals as a genealogist?

I’d like to create a website for researchers. I’d also like to write a book.

What research projects are you involved with now, or have planned for the future?

I have a couple of client projects I’m working on now. One of which is part of a book to be published for a family.

Debbie has given great service to ICAPGen as webmaster.  We appreciate all her hard work, and the excellent website that serves our organization so well.