Article about the chartering of new IAAP chapter in central Massachusetts.  Great job of providing information by the local IAAP sources.
 

Worcester MA Telegram & Gazette
April 23, 2004

Administrative opportunity
Assistants forge local support

By Lisa Eckelbecker, T&G STAFF
leckelbecker@telegram.com

Think of them as the glue that holds together an organization.

Starting Monday, they'll have their own way to stick together.

Administrative assistants in Central Massachusetts will inaugurate a new chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals at a ceremony and dinner Monday at the Wyndham Westboro Hotel. The event marks the creation of an organization aimed at supporting those who spend much of their work time supporting others.

"I think it's going to open doors for the administrative assistants in this area," said Donna E. Comeau, the first president of the new chapter and a senior executive secretary at Fidelity Investments in Marlboro.

The new chapter - started with about 23 members, many of them employees at Fidelity - is preparing for its launch as the IAAP is marking Administrative Professionals Week this week.

The organization uses the event to highlight the work of secretaries and administrative assistants, and to encourage employers to provide training and more responsibilities to workers.

"Administrative Professionals Week is a time for the profession to shine, for people to understand this is not a dead-end career anymore," said Rick Stroud, communications manager for the IAAP, which is based in Kansas City, Mo. "It is a career unto itself. It is a profession."

The IAAP has about 40,000 members worldwide and 600 chapters across North America. About 10 to 30 chapters start up every year.

The Central Massachusetts chapter evolved from quarterly meetings that Ms. Comeau held at her workplace. She arranged speakers and coordinated sessions aimed at bringing administrative professionals up to date on the best practices in their field.

When the workers found no local chapter of IAAP to join, they decided to start their own. The goal is to give the members chances to network and obtain training.

"To me, every day I can learn something new is a better day, because it helps me perform better at my job," said Lauren L. Rice of Worcester, a senior executive assistant at Fidelity in Marlboro and vice president of the new IAAP chapter. "It gives me better tools. I'm always looking for ways to improve myself."

The new IAAP chapter is not the first launched in Central Massachusetts. Chapters started up in northern Worcester County and at the former Paul Revere Corp. of Worcester, now UnumProvident Corp., but dissolved in the last decade.

Marie G. Brunell, vice president of the IAAP's New England division, said chapters can be difficult to start and sustain. She knows, because she started one in her hometown of Attleboro.

But the new chapter's core members seem ready for the work ahead, she said.

"As in any new chapter, it's bonding as a team and getting the programs going" that is important, Ms. Brunell said. "But I believe strongly the people who have come forward for leadership roles are ready to take on the challenge."

In addition to Ms. Comeau of Bellingham and Ms. Rice, the Central Massachusetts chapter will be led by Patricia Dexter as treasurer and Nora Bailey as recording secretary.

The group plans to meet monthly, except during summer, and it will be recruiting new members. The officers are emphasizing networking and training.

Those activities are vital for professionals required to juggle multiple tasks, not to mention demands from multiple people, officers said.

"It's a career that, how can I put this, you need to go into it with a very open mind," said Ms. Comeau, who became an administrative assistant 13 years ago after starting at Fidelity as a payroll representative. "It does take a certain personality. Someone who is very open to helping, because that's what you do. You become the glue of the group. You need to be flexible, and you need to be able to adjust at any time."

Ms. Rice's job in Fidelity's human resources operation involves her in meeting-, event- and business-contingency planning. She also runs a rewards and recognition program covering 8,000 people.

It's a variety she likes. But her responsibilities also influence her interest in training.

"Right now we're in a time-management crunch," Ms. Rice said. "Anything I can do to improve getting things done helps me."

For the IAAP, the new Central Massachusetts chapter is not likely to be the only foray into the area. The organization has begun looking for members for a new Greater Gardner chapter.

[PHOTO]
Donna E. Comeau of Bellingham, left, and Lauren L. Rice of Worcester will be president and vice president, respectively, of the newest Central Massachusetts Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Both work at Fidelity Investments in Marlboro. (T&G Staff / BETTY JENEWIN)