CFD proposal accepted by AIFD

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Rhonda

Rhonda

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Nov 1, 2002
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http://www.aifd.org/2007cfdannouncement.htm

We at Maine State Florists have discussed this as an incentive to our Professional Certified Florists accredidation and our Maine Master Floral Designer certification students to continue even further and prepare for AIFD.
Glad to see it will now be available.
 
Wonder how or if AIFD will work with the new NAFA project (read latest news here. )

At its recent annual meeting, NAFA agreed to purchase the domain www.certifiedflorists.com. It plans to develop the Web site to promote state certification programs and provide information to florists who want to become certified. "A lot of industry members ask us how they can get certified ... and we wanted to provide them with a central location where they can get information," says Crittenden.
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Yet again I'll ask - with all these certifications - state, allied, national - why hasn't one of these national groups created a fantastic site to help consumers find the folks that have worked so hard to pass the tests?

*sigh*
 
Cathy, as with probably most anything from a standpoint of gathering all the "certifications" of various groups and states, keeping them current (as with AIFD and others, we require a "points" system to maintain our mmfd), it would be a logistical nightmare. I do agree though, that is maybe something that AIFD may bring along? Or some real ambitious person with lots of time on their hands to gather the correct information. :dunno:
 
As I understand it, this may be a stepping stone to AIFD membership in the future.

As we now have it set up, You can become a Registered Candidate and then take the AES for membership.......but you do not have to follow that. But, since this new program may be rolled out.....A designer who is interested in pursuing membership in AIFD will have to earn the CFD first. - At least that is the way I think I understand this new thing to work.

My biggest concern is this: Those of us who have earned membership in AIFD are generally thought of within the greater floral industry to be the leaders, the crem-de-la-crem, if you will ,of the floral industry. Will this new designation demean and devalue what AIFD means within the industry and even amongst our peers?

I am going to write Tom Simmons an e-mail expressing my concern and questions.
 
Three words, folks: Value Network Service.
 
RJD said:
Three words, folks: Value Network Service.
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I don't understand what you mean by this. Would you mind explaining or elaborating further on this?
 
Value Network Service (VNS) was a cut-rate wire service started a number of years ago by FTD. Originally designed as a no-frills, cheaper alternative for florists who couldn't meet FTD's qualifications. The promise was that VNS members would only be allowed to join FTD when they met the qualifications. In public forums, VNS members were referred to as "the B-team of FTD". Within a few years, FTD simply lowered their standards, rolled VNS memberhip back up into FTD, and did away with VNS.

At this point, it might be good to consider WWPD - What Would Phil Do?
 
If....like FTD and VNS......If AIFD lowered it's standards, then what is the incentive for a designer to pursue the excellence that is AIFD. I am sure that the members on this board who have earned AIFD worked hard to achieve that and strived to meet very high and exacting standards.....at least I did.

I would hope that this is not the case as I feel that it would negate all the hard work that those of us who are members underwent.
 
Don't take this as verbatim (one of the directors and I have discussed this at length as well as our Education Committee):
The idea of "National Certification" but not as extended as AIFD in other words, I considered testing for AIFD many years ago but the costs, travel, portfolio etc were beyond my monetary limits, family responsibilities, and time limitations of running my own shop. I could not set my sights on becoming AIFD. Many Many years later, I put myself into the mindset of passing our Maine Master Floral Designer certification course. As many of you know, it was a "harrowing" time for me (made me wonder if I had sudden onset of Alzheimer's). Valerie has also taken the course (NHFloral or VJD). Now that "we" have our master's in our own state associations where would that put us nationwide? Texas' programs give them a Texas Master Florist to aim for. What was discussed and discussed time and again was a "National Certification" for those who can't afford or don't have the wherewithal to achieve AIFD.
Having done research with other State Associations just in the past 6 months, it was suggested to wait a bit as AIFD was going to approach this same subject. I am all for it if they can take the steps to provide this certification testing within means for even the most remote florist to attend.
I may never make it to Symposium (I'm getting older by the day :) )
But if I could test for CFD, it would make me feel danged good.
And just for note here, two AIFD designers both stated they did not think they could have passed our Maine Master Floral Design courses after they looked at the program and saw the criteria for passing. I thought those statements were extremely complimentary of the program we produce for our members here (especially since I've passed it :loopy )
 
I would love to see what the Maine Master Florist course looks like.......some of the criteria and the like......Would you mind posting some of it. Judging by the reaction of two AIFD members.....this has my curiosity piqued big-time.
 
Wow....That is a lot like the North carolina program....which was spawned if I recall correctly off the Texas program. I saw where you have Ann Jordan AIFD instructing......I don't know if Ann will remember me, but we competed together at symposium in New York. AIFD and the Holland Flower Council held a design competition in whcih the grand prize was a trip for two to Holland. If I remember right, I think Ann finished third place.
 
Annie is a dear friend as well as mentor. It was a daunting task living up to her expectations in that class. Most of my class (4 of us actually) have been in business for over 25 years and were all friends. I think it was her worst * hardest * class to teach (we were very bad at times, challenging theory was the utmost)
Our PCF program is based on the Texas program thanks to Richard Milteer (that's another story) but Ann developed the program and made it what it is now.
Which is why I am so pleased to see AIFD offer another stepping stone. I (and if you know Annie) am so pro Education that to see another stepping stone toward AIFD is the way to entice so many other florists to educate themselves with a State program first......move to the new CFD and onto AIFD. I in no way think it detracts from attaining AIFD status.
 
Aifd

I am all for getting an accreditation status for the states. However, from what I have witnessed, the Texas Master Program does not resemble AIFD in any manner. They are geared in different directions. The tests do not even begin to compare.

AIFD is all about superior design and the state tests seem to test all levels of floristry and exceptional design is kind of a low bar. This is not to belittle the Master State Tests....because I think they serve a wonderful purpose....but, I just don't see how the two could interact.

I personally know several people that have never worked a day in a flower shop or ever designed an arrangement in a flower shop that have passed their TMF test. My opinion is that the TMF measures basic principles of running a flower shop and while that is outstanding......it is not AIFD level of designing.

Carol Bice
 
So, if AIFD could be compared to having a doctorate in floral design, the CFD could then be compared to having a masters degree in floral design??
 
Connie, that would be how I would look at it. I consider the mmfd that I took as probably a high school graduation!!
Our PCF program is all aspects of floral industry as Carol stated. And yes, I know people who don't design who have the certification. But then again, I've seen some who have the certification PCF and can't design worth beans. With our mmfd course, you HAVE to know design principles, elements, techniques and others to produce the designs for each class. Big difference between the two.
 
I just got a reply back from Tom Simmons AIFD about the CFD program. I will write this up shortly for you all.
 
As a TMF and a member of TSFA's education committee I welcome the new designation. Please note I am only speaking for myself, not anyone else. I have seen many attempt the TMF program that were not ready. We now have classes to prep and evaluate them prior to entering the program. I have also experienced those receiving TMF credentials who are not ready for AIFD (some due to talent, others due to fear, many due to $). I like the idea of having a level between the two to not only expand talent, but also increase self esteem. I agree AIFD is the greatest accomplishment, but some are not ready. The new designation allows them to pursue continuing education while they prepare for AIFD. It isn't designed for everyone, but is a nice option for many.
 
Ok, Here is what Tom Simmons said about the new CFD program.

by 2010 it will be set up as a stepping stone to AIFD membership. It is being designed for those floral designers who are talented and artistic indivduals who wish to be recognized for their talent, but do not want to become fully involved with AIFD.

Till then, A designer can choose to take either the AES exam OR the CFD exam, but not both. If a designer takes the AES and for some reason, does not score enough to pass, then they do not recoeve the CFD designation either.

Additionally, This will allow us as members to readily identify those unsung talents and begin the process of encouraging them to become full members of AIFD.

There are still some questions that I have regarding this and I will be addressing them to Tom as well.

Since this is two seperate designations, I am going to suggest that if AIFD keeps the AES during National Symposium, then the CFD could be held during the regional symposiums perhaps. Or it could be held in venues similar to the AIFD across America and the AIFD connection events, or handled like the Diagnostic Workshops were.
 
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