2006 International Convention and Education Forum

2006-2007 International President’s Address

Sandra P. Chandler CPS

August 10, 2006

Reno, Nevada

IAAP members, international affiliates, and distinguished guests...What an honor it is to stand before you this evening as your 2006-2007 International President. 

It seems only yesterday that I attended my first International Convention and Education Forum in San Antonio, Texas, in 1989. I can remember the excitement and pride I felt that morning at the Opening Business Session.  Tonight, I am even more excited and thrilled to be a leader of the premier association of administrative professionals.

This evening, we celebrate an outstanding "Creating Excellence" IAAP year under the superb leadership of International President Kay E. Enlow CPS/CAP. Kay and I began our journey on the International Board as District Directors, and I've had the distinct pleasure of working with "Special Kay" for the past six years.  Thank you for being that mentor, supporter, and above all, a very special friend to me.

To the other Past International Presidents that I had the opportunity to serve with -- Candy Daniels CPS/CAP, Chris Jackel, Ollie Jo Bozeman CPS/CAP, Shelia Brownfield CPS/CAP, and Jo Peay….all of you have truly been an inspiration to me, and I appreciate your outstanding leadership skills. I would be remiss if I did NOT thank all of our Past International Presidents who continue to play important roles in the continuing success of our association - thank you.

I am very pleased that Greg Smith, Senior Vice President of SunTrust Banks, could join us here this evening.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be here. As many of you know, my former executive Lou Tiller retired in May after 39 successful years with SunTrust, and even though he could not be here this evening, he's still cheering me on!

What would I do without the support of my family during my 21 years as a member of IAAP? And they are all here with me this evening.  To my husband, Chuck; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Bob and grandson, Zachary; son, Derrick; and girlfriend, Rosa. Thank you so much for caring and supporting me all these years! 

Speaking of my grandson, Zachary, he did manage to put me in my place recently. I decided it was time to educate Zachary about IAAP. As I explained to him that Grandma was going to be the IAAP International President, and the benefits of belonging to the association, he looked at me very seriously and said, "Grandma, you are NOT the President - George Bush is the President.”  So, Zachary, thank you for clarifying that for me!

To members of the Southeast District, Florida Division and Orlando Chapter, thank you very much for your encouragement and belief in me.  Many of you are here with me this evening, and I appreciate your presence.

Shortly after returning from International President Enlow's Planning Session last year, I began thinking about the IAAP theme and logo to be used during my term as International President. For months, I kept a sheet of paper close to my side, and I began to jot down words, phrases, and pretty soon, it grew into a very long list.  Finally, I decided that it was time for me to get serious and decide on my theme.

What message did I want to convey to the members?  I was certain I wanted it to be something that everyone could relate to, one that had value and meaning, and one that we could definitely have fun with and yet, be creative.

As a child (just a few years ago), I always enjoyed putting puzzles together. You remember those days, don't you?  How exciting it was to connect that "last piece to the puzzle."  And now, Zachary and I love to put puzzles together, and guess what?  That last piece is still the essential piece - connecting and linking it all together.

With these thoughts in mind, I have chosen as the 2006-2007 IAAP theme/logo, "Shaping the Future".   

Each of us is an essential piece in IAAP, and the puzzle is NOT complete, unless all of us are actively involved and linked together in building a stronger association.

Sometime ago, I read an article in the Great Lakes District Update about being a "linker" rather than a "non-linker."  What is a linker?  A linker is someone who knows that in our high-speed culture, no individual can be the best he or she can be without establishing personal connections with others.  Linkers are individuals who build strong connections among people within their employer organizations, their corporate departments, their professional associations, and their local community as a whole.

In many businesses and organizations, the administrative support staff often serves as "linkers" among the different divisions or departments.  As administrative professionals, we are the ones that often hold everything together at work, especially in times of chaos. Top-notch administrative professionals who are effective linkers also bring greater value to their employers by using their professional network to ask for and quickly receive a wealth of ideas, best practices and workable solutions to problems. 

Which valuable professional network can administrative professional always rely on?  IAAP, of course!  Within IAAP, we are blessed with many outstanding linkers.  Individually and collectively, the members of our association are a powerful force for positive change. Throughout the 64 years that our association has existed, the efforts of our past and present leaders and membership HAVE had a positive influence on how our profession is perceived in the business world.  

Even though we have made progress, I believe you will agree with me that the IAAP Mission is far from accomplished. We have more work to do, as we strive to be the acknowledged, recognized leader of administrative professionals and to enhance their individual and collective value, image, competence, and influence.

Mission Statements, Vision Statements and Strategic Plans are nice to have on paper, but unless the words inspire a commitment to action, they are just words on paper.

Former President Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic once said: "Vision is not enough; it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps; we must step up the stairs."

As your international leader, I pledge to do the best job I can to inspire and encourage you to not only stare up the steps of progress, but also to step up those stairs by taking an active role in "Shaping the Future" of our profession.  

So, how can you contribute to "Shaping the Future" during the 2006-2007 IAAP year?

I have devised a quick and easy way to briefly outline some of my key goals and objectives. I call these -"Chandler's five C's for "Shaping the Future".

The first of the five C's is "COMMITMENT".

As I mentioned earlier, to make significant progress toward a common goal, we must be committed to action and not just words.

Let me now introduce and acknowledge your 2006-2007 IAAP leadership teams. They all have made the commitment to take action by serving the membership of our association to the best of their ability.

The International Board of Directors - please stand for special recognition.  What an outstanding TEAM we will be!

The 2006-2007 Division Leadership Team - YOUR Division Presidents. During the 2006 Incoming Division Presidents' Conference, your Division leaders came to Kansas City to participate in two days of intensive training.  We shared ideas and best practices, discussed our concerns and success stories, offered solutions to common problems, and most importantly, developed a true sense of camaraderie. It's encouraging to know that we have such a supportive network to turn to when assistance is needed.  All of us left that weekend excited and with a shared sense of purpose.  This group of leaders is definitely motivated to being instrumental in "Shaping the Future" of our association. They are fired up and ready to serve to the best of their abilities.

Good leaders realize the importance of surrounding themselves with talented people. In addition to our 36 Division Presidents, there are some of the other committed and dedicated leaders who will serve the association this year.

Chapter Presidents - thank you for stepping up to the plate and assuming leadership roles.

The International Committee on Nominations and the International Bylaws and Standing Rules Committee -- thank you for volunteering to serve us in this capacity.

Our headquarters managers and staff are readily available to assist in any way that they can.  What an outstanding job they do for us.  Thank you!

ALL members of IAAP play a vital link in "Shaping the Future" of our association.  Your International Board welcomes and appreciates your input, feedback and communication.

The next of Chandler's five C's is CONTINUING EDUCATION.

Ronald E. Osborn said:  "Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." 

I don't think it's a secret to any of you in the room this evening that continuing education is essential for long-term career success. When I began my secretarial career many years ago, my primary office equipment consisted of a manual typewriter, adding machine, and a single line telephone. You can be certain that they were definitely the good old days, and I've certainly had to change with the times!

IAAP affords us numerous opportunities for professional development through attendance at the International events such as this Convention and Education Forum, as well as Division and Chapter educational programs, self-study resources, and online training.

In addition, what an outstanding Student Program we have in place.  I am so excited about the growth of student members during the past few years, and I want all of us to work on continuing to grow this program. By taking the lead in providing professional development opportunities for students, IAAP and its chapters are helping to train the next generation of administrative professionals.  By establishing a clear professional development ladder, from initial involvement with IAAP through Student Chapter membership to Professional membership, we are ensuring the future of our association.

Our certification programs are another important part of Continuing Education.  By earning the CPS or CAP rating, you have received the most prestigious designation offered to administrative professionals. The achievement of these ratings is both a validation of current skills and a commitment to a life-long learning process.

Plan to attend the Certification Conference in the fall, and the Professional Education Conference in the spring for additional professional development opportunities.

Another aspect of Continuing Education is to educate employers and business executives about the return on investment that employers can gain by financially supporting training for their administrative staff.

In addition, we need to continue our efforts and take active roles in educating employers about the value that administrative professionals can bring to their organization. Today's workplaces are very much different than the ones of our parents.  Many of the new generation of corporate executives have little or no idea about how to utilize an administrative professional effectively. Let's work together to educate today's employers, executives, and managers and communicate that they can be more productive by partnering with an administrative professional.

And speaking of communication....the next of Chandler's C's is COMMUNICATION.

In today's workplaces, everything revolves around GREAT communication. Moreover, even the best communicators continually seek to improve their skills.

Within the IAAP Network, I believe that everything revolves around not only good, but GREAT communication. We can improve the level of communication between your association's leadership, our Headquarters staff, and you, the members. As International President, you will hear from me on a regular basis during the 2006-2007 IAAP year. I will be sending out communications to the International and Division Leadership Teams and ask that they share the information with all of you.

Another growing communication trend is online social networking. As you heard earlier this week, our Technology Department at Headquarters is developing a web-based software project that will enable members to enhance communications and networking opportunities. In addition, Headquarters staff is developing helpful tools to assist local leaders and this will -- big sigh of relief -- not require extensive software expertise.  This is exciting news, and we hope you will take advantage of these new tools to strengthen connections among members everywhere.

Increasing our level of communication to the business community is also a key goal this year. As indicated in the 2006-2010 Strategic Plan, we are going to take action to strengthen IAAP's outreach to businesses, corporations, and organizations that influence the profession. A subcommittee has been appointed to organize and develop an Employer Advisory Group comprised of individuals who appreciate the value of administrative professionals and are able to articulate how an association like IAAP can assist admins in providing more value to their organizations.

Your International Board of Directors is excited as we move forward with further development of the Strategic Plan, and your assistance is also needed in the future development of the Plan. Always feel free to communicate your ideas. We appreciate your feedback, suggestions and constructive comments.

And now, on to the fourth of Chandler's five C's which is CREATIVITY.

According to a recent survey, when senior management was asked to state the most important and valued traits in workers, they said "creative problem-solving and the ability to generate new ideas." 

In businesses, creativity can help you launch major projects to untangle minor problems.  It provides a fresh insight on even the most routine elements of your job.  Best of all, it enables you to view problem-solving as a creative opportunity.

In the upcoming year, I ask all IAAP leaders and members to take the initiative to think outside the box while developing innovative solutions to problems and challenges that may occur within your divisions and chapters.

International President Enlow reminded us this year that "we are ALL artists in a way!  Maybe not to the degree of a Rembrandt or Michelangelo, but we ALL have ideas, we are ALL creative in our own right, and we ALL have the talents and abilities to "create excellence" in our personal and professional lives!"  Let's continue with that creativity during the 2006-2007 IAAP year. 

For example, we can work together to continue our efforts to find creative ways to encourage more IAAP members to take a more active role in our divisions and chapters. We must change the perception that involvement in a professional association is too time consuming for today's busy administrative professional.

George Bernard Shaw once said:  "Life isn't about finding yourself.  Life is about creating yourself." As we work to promote the value of IAAP to prospective members and employers, let's focus on the "What's in it for me" benefits of active involvement. By putting your creative ideas into practice through your experiences in IAAP, this may help you to rekindle that spark of excitement about work, be more confident in your ability to confront situations with fresh ideas and offer more innovative solutions, and take advantage of the creative input of others.

And now, the final C in the list of Chandler's five C's is CONNECTIVITY.

Connectivity completes the last and most important part of the IAAP puzzle in "Shaping the Future" of the association. Facilitating connections is bringing together individuals with common interests, issues or expertise.  Examples include coaching and mentoring programs, communities of practice, online group collaboration and social networking systems, which are being developed with the IAAP Web 2.0 project, and incorporating connection time and activities in association events.

At tomorrow's Post Convention Leadership Workshop, speaker Dr. Cal LeMon will define connectivity and how this ability will enhance the value of the IAAP members in the workplace. IAAP leaders will leave the session with seven skills to become a "connector" in an often heartless and fractured workplace. By connecting with other IAAP members, you will also benefit from this presentation.

Connectivity is everyone's responsibility - yours and mine. It takes all of us working together with our members to achieve that vital association link. 

I am very excited about our 2006-2007 IAAP year and look forward to working together with the leaders and you, the members, of the premier association for administrative professionals. 

How will we accomplish the objectives I have outlined for you tonight? 

Let's remember to focus on Chandler's five C's:

• COMMITMENT
• CONTINUED EDUCATION
• COMMUNICATION
• CREATIVITY
• CONNECTIVITY

Will you join with me this year as we work together to inspire and equip all administrative professionals to attain excellence?

Will you join with me in making a pledge this year to step up and invite at least one prospective member to join our association?

Will you join our IAAP international, division, and chapter leadership team as we reach out to build more connections to the business community and increase awareness of IAAP? 

Will you join me as we step up the stairs to encourage students to get involved in our Student Chapter program?

And finally, let me leave you with this thought:

Bernard Edmonds said:

"To dream anything that you want to dream. 

That is the beauty of the human mind. 

To do anything that you want to do. 

That is the strength of the human will. 

To trust yourself to test your limits, that is the course to succeed."

Please join me in “Shaping the Future” of our profession and association during the 2006-2007 IAAP year.

THANK YOU.