Those of you who attended your division annual meetings heard about IAAP’s mission and core values statements and our desire to change them. Our current statements, while they are good, no longer work for IAAP. At the March International Board meeting, we took a hard look at the Association’s current Mission Statement, Core Values Development and Vision Statement. To guide us through this process, the board followed the concepts in the book The 7 Measures of Success; What Remarkable Associations Do and Other Don’t. Published by ASAE and the Center for Association Leadership, the book points out that remarkable associations have, among other measures, an alignment of their products and services with their mission.

To align what we do as an association, we need to have a clear mission. This means that everything we do, every conference we host, every book we sell, magazine we publish, newsletter we send and every service we offer should align with our new mission statement. If it doesn’t, we won’t do it. It’s that simple. We aim to define who we are, where we want to go, and then stay on that road using our defining statements as a guide.

Our current mission statement: “To be the acknowledged recognized leader of administrative professionals and to enhance their individual and collective value, image, competence and influence,” as well as our vision and purpose statements, don’t adequately reflect who we are and where we want to head in the future. Change is needed to take this from a statement that is externally focused to one that is both externally and internally focused.

To move this change forward, we need your help. It’s very important to the board, and to me, that we receive feedback from members about these statements. After all, we are here to be the voice of the people we serve. While asking for input as we visit the Division Annual Meetings, we want to hear from all of our members. So, for those of you unable to attend those meetings, please think about IAAP and what you believe our mission as an association should be. Over the next few weeks, feedback will be collected online before the International Convention and Education Forum. Be sure to watch for the link and be willing to share those ideas. That’s one of the first steps in the journey to make IAAP a remarkable association.

In closing, the attendees at the March 2008 Incoming Division Presidents’ Conference in Kansas City heard IAAP’s attorney Mike McCann speak on confidentiality and its importance for boards. This information will benefit all levels of our Association including chapters, divisions and international. You can read his article right here, and as you read, ask yourself…“How can this information help me as I lead at my elected position in IAAP?”

I look forward to seeing you all soon as we make our plans to meet in New Orleans to drive over the finish line of the 2007-2008 IAAP year!

Sincerely,

Judy McCoy