The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
is the world’s largest association for administrative support
staff, with over 600 chapters and 40,000 members and affiliates worldwide.
For over 60 years, they have provided research on office trends, publications,
seminars and conferences, and other resources to help administrative
professionals enhance their skills and become more effective contributors
to their employers.
According to West Virginia Division President Tamra Goodal, CPS/CAP,
“Members include administrative assistants, executive secretaries,
office coordinators, educational institutions, educators, students,
and international affiliate organizations. The focus of IAAP is to
assist support staff in expanding their knowledge, developing leadership,
and networking with their peers around the state and the globe, enabling
them to become more effective members of the office team. IAAP strives
to offer information, education, and training, and to set standards
of excellence recognized by the business community from a global perspective.”
Formerly know as the National Secretaries Association, the organization
changed its name in 2000 to keep pace with changing job titles and
expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce
Tamra says, “One of our marquee programs is the Certified Professional
Secretary (CPS) and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certification
programs. The CPS exam tests concepts in finance and business law,
office systems and administration, and management. The new CAP exam
expands on the CPS rating and also tests concepts in organizational
planning.”
National Secretaries Week, established in 1952 to recognize secretaries
for their contributions in the workplace, and to attract people to
secretarial/administrative careers, is now National Administrative
Professionals Week. Celebrated worldwide from April 20-26, it brings
millions of people together for community events, educational seminars,
and corporate activities recognizing support staff. This year’s
theme is ‘The Power of Professionalism’.
Today, there are more than 3.9 million secretaries and administrative
assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department
of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative
support roles.
“West Virginia has a rich history of involvement in IAAP,”
says Tamra. “Shelia D. Brownfield, CPS/CAP, member of the Charleston
Chapter, will be installed as International President this July. There
are chapters in Charleston, Fairmont, Logan, Morgantown, Parkersburg,
and Wheeling. Another chapter is being added at the DuPont Plant in
Parkersburg in May.”
For more information, visit the International web site www.iaap-hq.org,
the West Virginia web site www.iaap-wv.org
or contact
tgoodall@charter.net for information about joining or starting
a local chapter.
Administrative Professionals Combat Killer Phrases April 23
The Parkersburg IAAP Chapter will hold their holding its annual Administrative
Professional Day Seminar on April 23, 2003 at the Dils Center beginning
at 11:00 am. Bosses, secretaries and office professionals are invited
to the event featuring David Bell, Ph. D, Dean of Business, Industry
& Development Services at West Virginia University in Parkersburg.
His presentation,” Killer Phrases”, highlights the phrases
people use to stop an idea, project or request in its tracks.
For more information, please call 304.295.7068.
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