PHOTO BY TAMMY SHRIVER

FAIRMONT
By Andrew Sutton
Local IAAP chapter hosting Administrative Professionals Day

PHOTO: Marion County Chapter of Administrative Excellence president Karen Tucker (left) accepts her award from corresponding secretary Glenna McCormick after being announced as the first Professional of the Year for the local chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

A lot can happen in just one year, and the same can be said for the Marion County chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

Formed little more than a year ago, the Marion County Chapter of Administrative Excellence has transformed from a fledgling association into a secure, confident and expanding organization ready to address the needs and demands of administrative professionals in the 21st century.


Evidence of that will be seen as the chapter takes the responsibility of spearheading the 16th annual Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon, which was formerly hosted by the Marion County Chamber of Commerce. The event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Westchester Village, and is part of Administrative Professionals Week, which begins today and concludes on Saturday. Sponsored by the IAAP, the theme for this year’s Administrative Professionals Week is “Ambassadors of Excellence” — which is exactly what MCCAE members aim to be.

The goal of the event and the week is to recognize the outstanding jobs administrative assistants perform in a field that is constantly evolving, said Karen Tucker, president of the chapter.

“The role has expanded so much,” she said. In years past, administrative assistants focused on different tasks, like “typing” and “coffee.” Now, she added, “there’s a whole gamut of opportunities.”

To meet those opportunities, MCCAE’s goals and missions include promoting education, networking skills and community service.
First chartered Jan. 24, 2003, the chapter started with 15 members from businesses throughout the area. It now has more than 20 members and offers an in-house resource library with books the group has purchased on a variety of different topics, such as leadership and technology skills.

The chapter also received the 2002-03 Distinguished Chapter President’s Award last October at the Southeast District Conference in Atlanta. Though the distinction typically takes more than a year to secure, MCCAE was able to achieve it in only about six months.

In addition, the chapter is in the process of establishing a $500 scholarship fund — to be awarded next year — for an individual in the fields of business, office technology or administration.

Tucker also said MCCAE has been working very closely with the chamber in the transition of hosting the annual luncheon and cited the efforts of Glenda Julian, manager of the Fairmont office for Personnel Temporary Services Inc., which is corporately sponsoring this year’s annual luncheon.

MCCAE’s day-to-day activities are sponsored by Galaxy Global Corp., Huntington National Bank, the Institute for Scientific Research Inc., Personnel Temporary Services Inc., State Farm Insurance Agent Greg Kelly, User Technology Associates Inc. and the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation.

The chapter’s efforts provide “wonderful support” for its members, Tucker explained, by presenting opportunities to network and make connections with other professionals in the area.

As an IAAP chapter, the group offers its members the option of receiving designation as a certified professional secretary (CPS) and as a certified administrative professional (CAP). The certification, which is equivalent to 32 hours of study, covers a number of areas, including business law and office technology. In addition, Tucker said, recertification is required every five years, so that education is ongoing.

The chapter meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Alan B. Mollohan Innovation Center in Fairmont. Guest speakers present information to help enhance professional and personal development, leadership and technology.

Tucker added that the chapter is always seeking and recruiting new members. For those who may be interested, call her for more information at 368-9300.