In Chicago, a group of machine accountants got together and decided that the future was only beginning for the TAB machines they were operating. They were members of a local group called the Machine Accountants Association (MAA). The techno logy was new; something few people understood and managing this new technology was a skill that even fewer people possessed. The machine accountants recognized the need to form a professional support group, a national association, to address the growing i ssues of this new technology. Thus on December 26, 1951, after a constitutional convention was held in Chicago, the State of Illinois granted a charter and the National Machine Accountants Association (NMAA) was founded.

Groups from Houston, Columbus, Wabash Valley, the Twin Cities, Penn-Del, and 22 others were the first to join NMAA. Robert L. Jenal, systems manager for Toni Company, was elected the first International President at the 1952 First Annual Co nvention in Minneapolis.

In 1960, the association sponsored a meeting of educators and businessmen with the purpose of establishing the Certificate in Data Processing (CDP) professional examination program. The first CDP exam was held in 1962 in New York. 1962 was also the year that the association leaders recognized the changing nature of information processing techniques brought about by the introduction of the computer. Thus, the members decided in 1962 to adopt a more progressive name, the Data Processing Manag ement Association (DPMA), to reflect the changing industry.

Always striving to promote the continued education of the members, the leadership of DPMA created the Registered Business Programmer (RBP) examination in 1970. Both the CDP and the RBP exams were given annually under the rules established b y the Certification Council, at test centers in colleges and universities across North America. Eventually, DPMA decided to help establish the Institute for the Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP) to stimulate more widespread interest and industry acceptance of the examinations. ICCP began administering the CDP program in early 1974.

The association has always acknowledged the contributions of prominent professionals within the Information Technology field. Beginning in 1969 with the creation of the annual Computer Sciences Man-of-the-Year Award for outstanding c ontributions to the information processing industry, DPMA has established a long-standing tradition of honoring IT professionals from every aspect of the industry. This prestigious award was renamed the Distinguished Information Sciences Award in 1 980 and is awarded every year at the Annual Meeting of the Members.

As the industry has evolved, so has the association. Starting as the NMAA, evolving into the DPMA, and then into our current evolution in 1996 of the Association of INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS (AITP), the association has kept pace with the changing needs and interests of our members. AITP members span every level of the IT industry from mainframe systems, to micro systems, to PC based LAN and WAN systems, to virtual systems and the internet. AITP has special niches created that cater to the special interests of our members. Our members are found in every facet of society as well. They're in colleges and universities; banking; industry; retail; the armed forces; local, state and federal governments; hospitals; etc.

To learn more about the history of AITP, DPMA and NMAA search the archives of the Charles Babbage Institute Center for the History of Information Processing. You may also contact the Associa tion of INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS headquarters for more information at (800) 224-9371 x226.

Copyright © 1997 Association of INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS. All rights reserved. Updated 21 October 1997. 

That I have an obligation to management, therefore, I shall promote the understanding of information processing methods and procedures to management using every resource at my command.

That I have an obligation to my fellow members, therefore, I shall uphold the high ideals of AITP as outlined in the Association Bylaws. Further, I shall cooperate with my fellow members and shall treat them with honesty and respect at all times.

That I have an obligation to society and will participate to the best of my ability in the dissemination of knowledge pertaining to the general development and understanding of information processing. Further, I shall not use knowledge of a confidential nature to further my personal interest, nor shall I violate the privacy and confidentiality of information entrusted to me or to which I may gain access.

That I have an obligation to my College or University, therefore, I shall uphold its ethical and moral principles.

That I have an obligation to my employer whose trust I hold, therefore, I shall endeavor to discharge this obligation to the best of my ability, to guard my employer's interests, and to advise him or her wisely and honestly.

That I have an obligation to my country, therefore, in my personal, business, and social contacts, I shall uphold my nation and shall honor the chosen way of life of my fellow citizens.

I accept these obligations as a personal responsibility and as a member of this Association. I shall actively discharge these obligations and I dedicate myself to that end.

Copyright © 1997 Association of INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS. All rights reserved. Updated 27 August 1997.

In recognition of my obligation to management I shall:

• Keep my personal knowledge up-to-date and insure that proper expertise is available when needed. 
• Share my knowledge with others and present factual and objective information to management to the best of my ability. 
• Accept full responsibility for work that I perform. 
• Not misuse the authority entrusted to me. 
• Not misrepresent or withhold information concerning the capabilities of equipment, software or systems. 
• Not take advantage of the lack of knowledge or inexperience on the part of others. 

• Be honest in all my professional relationships. 
• Take appropriate action in regard to any illegal or unethical practices that come to my attention. However, I will bring charges against any person only when I have reasonable basis for believing in the truth of the allegations and without any regard to personal interest. 
• Endeavor to share my special knowledge. 
• Cooperate with others in achieving understanding and in identifying problems. 
• Not use or take credit for the work of others without specific acknowledgement and authorization. 
• Not take advantage of the lack of knowledge or inexperience on the part of others for personal gain. 

• Protect the privacy and confidentiality of all information entrusted to me. 
• Use my skill and knowledge to inform the public in all areas of my expertise. 
• To the best of my ability, insure that the products of my work are used in a socially responsible way. 
• Support, respect, and abide by the appropriate local, state, provincial, and federal laws. 
• Never misrepresent or withhold information that is germane to a problem or situation of public concern nor will I allow any such known information to remain unchallenged. 
• Not use knowledge of a confidential or personal nature in any unauthorized manner or to achieve personal gain. 

• Make every effort to ensure that I have the most current knowledge and that the proper expertise is available when needed. 
• Avoid conflict of interest and insure that my employer is aware of any potential conflicts. 
• Present a fair, honest, and objective viewpoint. 
• Protect the proper interests of my employer at all times. 
• Protect the privacy and confidentiality of all information entrusted to me. 
• Not misrepresent or withhold information that is germane to the situation. 
• Not attempt to use the resources of my employer for personal gain or for any purpose without proper approval. 

Not exploit the weakness of a computer system for personal gain or personal satisfaction.

Copyright © 1997 Association of INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS. All rights reserved. Updated 21 October 1997