Great job of providing information by IAAP Northern Lights Chapter, Alberta, Canada:


Grande Prairie, AB Daily Herald-Tribune
April 20, 2004
Circ.: 8,331

Administrative assistants play an invaluable role

They have been called secretaries, receptionists and administrative assistants.

However, as their role in offices everywhere has evolved to allow them to take on more responsibility, administrative professionals are regarded as an integral cog in present-day business endeavours.

Originally organized in 1952 as “National Secretaries Week” by the National Secretaries Association (NSA), the days to recognize the countless office employees who contribute so much is now called Administrative Professionals Week and the 2004 edition is upon us.

Wednesday is Administrative Professional Day.

What was once known as the NSA saw a name change to the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and in March of last year, the Northern Lights Chapter in Grande Prairie was established.

While there are thousands of administrative professionals working in our region, there are presently 15 members of the IAAP in Grande Prairie, noted Gwen Pouliot, the local chapter’s president.

Pouliot, who has worked as an administrative assistant with Aquatera – formerly known as the City of Grande Prairie Utilities Department – for 17 years, stated that having the IAAP present in the Swan City means local administrative professionals have access to more training, resources and seminars.

The IAAP offers two certifications – Certified Administrative Professional and Certified Professional Secretary – designations.

Over the years, the perception of what it means to work in an office has definitely changed, Pouliot assessed.

In the past, a secretary’s role was to primarily support others.

As new waves of technology and corporate streamlining have prevailed, they are now more equal members of the business team than ever before.

“It has really changed,” she maintained. “We started with manual typewriters and went to carbon copy, to word processing.”

The proliferation of computer technology in the office has meant that most administrators now do most of their own typing, meaning administrative professionals are now regarded as more of a customer service representative.

“We are doing budgeting, public relations tasks and website development,” noted Pouliot. “It isn’t just about typing letters and answering the phone anymore. It’s just a total change from what I remember I used to do early on.

“You’re not just sitting down and providing assistance to your administrator or supervisor, you are having first-hand contact dealing with the company’s clients and customers.”

Administrative Professional Week kicked off locally Monday with a luncheon held at the Quality Hotel and Conference Centre in which 100 people took in a presentation by Weyerhaeuser’s Sheila McDonald.

McDonald spoke of how she started out as a receptionist, was promoted to an administrative assistant and was able to work her way up to management through taking courses in leadership and having confidence in her abilities.

Today between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., an office products consumer show, hosted by Corporate Express, is taking place at 10134-100 Ave. Product information on how APs can make their jobs a little easier, will be available.

Other activities planned for this week include a Downtown Business Administrative Professional luncheon at Snappers and a breakfast Friday.

Information on these events can be obtained by contacting Pouliot at 538-0493.

Make sure your admin professional receives a thank you and a pat on the back sometime this week. They deserve it.

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