AGA TOPICS Newsletter

Intensive Review Course and CGFM Examinations a Success at PDC

Applying for the CGFM Program is the first step toward earning the CGFM certification. The next step is to take the three CGFM Examinations. Having the exams administered in a year-round computerized format makes it a convenient way to accommodate candidates’ schedules. It is also an opportunity for procrastination.

This year, AGA decided to give its CGFM candidates an extra motivation to complete the process by presenting them with a wonderful opportunity to take the CGFM Examinations and earn their CGFM right at the Professional Development Conference & Exposition (PDC) in Orlando. AGA offered a special two-day Intensive Review Course on Thursday and Friday, July 7 and 8, and an opportunity to take CGFM Examinations during the following two days, July 9 and 10. What made this opportunity even more appealing is the fact that the participants only had to pay for the course—the CGFM Examinations were included at no cost.

At first, AGA planned to hold just one class, but quickly had to expand it to two groups. In fact, in early June, AGA decided to close the registration at 50 people in order to give proper attention to each participant in class and to keep the number of simultaneous tests at a manageable level.

The Intensive Review Course is not a substitute for the three instructor-led training courses. On the contrary, it is designed as a supplement to previous preparation for the CGFM Examinations. Attending previous courses or studying using AGA study guides before participating in this event was strongly encouraged.

As the name implied, the Intensive Review Course was indeed “intensive” and taking three examinations in one or two days is not easy, but the excitement level of the participants was very high. Many commented how glad they were to take part in this opportunity. As a result, the CGFM Program gained 19 new CGFMs and many others who passed one or two of the exams and are on their way to completing the CGFM process.

The professionals who earned their CGFM at the PDC are:
Dan D. Barger, CGFM
Justin Butters, CGFM
Joyce E. Coates, CGFM
Sandra C. Dorsey, CGFM
Audrey L. Duchesne, CGFM
Karen Forbes, CGFM
Colin H. Humphrey, CGFM
Hugh A. MacNeil Jr., CGFM
Paula MacNeil, CGFM
Harry R. Matejka, CGFM
Mary J. Murphy, CGFM
Caroline Nelson, CGFM
Howard Pizzo, CGFM
Lydia Reynolds, CGFM
Ronald S. Royster, CGFM
Sharon Y. Smith, CGFM
Connie A. Turner, CGFM
Lori Vaccaro, CGFM
Sherri Voigt, CGFM

The event was such a success that AGA will continue the practice at its upcoming conferences. The next Intensive Review Course is scheduled for February 1-2, 2006 (with exams set for February 3-4, 2006) in conjunction with AGA’s National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Washington, DC. If you are interested in participating, please contact Katya Silver at ksilver@agacgfm.org.