In this issue...

• Success with APW

• President's Message

• IAAP History

• Staff Spotlight

• Certification Conference
   

Thanks for reading IAAP Connections.

Administrative Professionals Week
What a success!

We are thrilled at the national coverage we received during Administrative Professionals Week and Day last month. Article clippings from around North America are still coming in but we have a few articles to share with you right now.

Five of the most exciting placements this year were The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, The New York Times, LA Daily News, Chicago Sun-Times and The Washington Post. In addition to those, IAAP and APW were mentioned in dozens of other major markets across the U.S. and Canada.

Thanks to all the chapters, divisions and members-at-large that went the extra mile to seek out newspaper and radio coverage in your area. Click here for a look at a few of the many articles that ran in papers across the U.S. and Canada heralding APW and admins. Excerpts of other articles will be coming soon.

President's Message  
Read the latest message from
International President Judy McCoy.

Judy shares her experience at this year's Skillsoft Administrative Professionals Week co-sponsored by IAAP and OfficeTeam. This year’s event was held in the Oakland Bay Area of California.

Click here to read her most current message. To find past messages, log onto Members' Place first, then click here.

Getting your executive behind you
Tips to convince your manager to send you to Convention

Do you really, really, really want to go to International Convention and Education Forum but can't quite swing the extra time off of work? Every member has experienced the added value that IAAP provides to participants at all its events. But sometimes it’s difficult to convey to executives exactly what’s in it for the corporation.

Click here for a few tips that will convince your manager that sending you to the 2008 IAAP Convention and Education Forum provides a profitable return on their investment.

Next month, don't miss tips on getting the most from your International Convention experience.

Membership News
New IAAP Chapters Chartered

We warmly welcome the following new IAAP chapters and student chapters:

The Northeast Tennessee Chapter, located in Kingsport, Tenn., is sponsored by the Tennessee Division. The chapter’s officers are: Lora P. Yonce, president; Val Weatherford, president-elect; Vicky K. Fleenor, recording secretary; and Angie P. Jobe, treasurer.

The ASCO Corporate Chapter, located in Alexandria, Va., is sponsored by the Virginia Division in Alexandria, VA. The chapter’s officers are: Angela Greene, president; Janet Fernandez, vice president; Linda Woodland, recording secretary; Katy Marshall, corresponding secretary; and Linda Hurd, treasurer.

The Susquehanna Valley Chapter, located in Lewisburg, Pa., is sponsored by the Harrisburg Chapter. The chapter’s officers are: Sheri L. Hoffman CPS, president; Donna R. Huntington, vice president; Ann L. Auman, recording secretary; and Debra L. Rarig, treasurer.

The Celgene Corporate Chapter, located in Summit, N.J., is sponsored by the New Jersey Division. The chapter’s officers are: Heidi A. Romano CPS/CAP, president; Sharon Pfeiffer CPS/CAP, vice president; Gracie Foreman, recording secretary; and Gia Sims, treasurer.

The Technological Institute of Puerto Rico-Guayama Student Chapter is sponsored by the Ponce Chapter and Lillian Rivas-Grullon is both the student chapter advisor and new student chapter builder.

Congratulations to everyone involved in these building efforts!

Pathways to Excellence
It's coming soon!

Many of you have heard about the new program beginning with the 2008-2009 year, “Pathways to Excellence.” It’s designed to recognize excellence at all levels of IAAP: divisions, chapters and members.

You’ll be hearing more about this new program through different IAAP venues, but here’s a short introduction. The program is based on satisfying different criteria, which are in turn based on ten points of excellence.  All criteria fit into one of these ten points:

• Certification – This point of excellence refers to the CPS and CAP ratings and to recertification.
• Commitment – Commitment to the ideals of IAAP and to being the best you can be are an enormous part of the Pathways to Excellence program.
• Communication – For chapters & divisions, this is extremely important. Are you communicating with your members?
• Education & Training – Lifelong learning is important to all of us, and is recognized through the program.
• Fiscal Responsibility – There are areas of fiscal responsibility for members, chapters and divisions.
• Leadership Development & Roles – Leadership has always been an important part of IAAP, and this new program recognizes our leaders.
• Marketing, Research & Community Outreach – It’s important for IAAP members and entities to be a positive part of the world outside of the association.
• Programs & Participation – IAAP entities should develop relevant programs and IAAP members should participate in as many as possible.
• Recruitment & Retention – While numbers may not be the focus, they are still important. Here is where the more traditional values fit in.
• Strategic Planning – It’s not enough to plan for the immediate future. Pathways to Excellence recognizes those who look ahead to the future to ensure they’re remaining relevant to the association and the profession.

As you can see, “Pathways to Excellence” is a value based program instead of numbers based. It also introduces member-level awards. Each specific criterion will be measured at the division, chapter and member levels and adapted for each category. This will ensure that each level of the organization is in alignment and working towards the same goals.

Many of you are hearing about this new program at your Division Annual Meetings, and you’ll continue to read more about it in future issues of Connections and International President Judy McCoy CPS/CAP’s communications. The official rollout of “Pathways to Excellence” will be on the IAAP website following the International Convention and Education Forum, as well as during the Convention itself for those attending.

A Look Back
IAAP History

For 25 years the IAAP excluded men from becoming members. Not until July of 1967 did the membership amend the bylaws to include men. IAAP initiated their first man, C.J. (Bucky) Helmer, as a  member in Sept. of 1967. He belonged to the Binghamton Chapter in New York. Here is Helmer with then NSA President Lenore Forti. She spoke with news reporters following the installation of the association's first male member.
"On behalf of the nearly 26,000 members of NSA, I consider it a distinct privilege to be the first president in our 25-year history to initiate into membership a colleague from the so-called 'stronger sex," said Forti.

Staff Spotlight  
Meet Vicki Twombly

Vicki has worked at IAAP Headquarters for a sum total of 22 years, 17 of that in the Certification Department and 5 years working in circulation of the IAAP magazine, then called The Secretary, now OfficePro. She took five years off after working with the magazine to stay at home with her last child, now 23.

She currently works with candidates who are taking the CPS and CAP examinations. She registers those taking the exams and advises candidates what to study, among other duties.

"I take care of updating their records, as well as handling their recertification after they have certified," said Vicki, "I answer many emails and telephone calls and after each examination, I handle the scanning of all the answer sheets." She also processes letters for potential college credits.

"I enjoy working here at IAAP, my home away from home," said Vicki. "There are so many wonderful people here." She said she also enjoys working with members of IAAP and feels fortunate to have a part in helping the association.

Vicki shares more about herself and her life, including the zoo she has at home. To read more, click here.

You can contact Vicki at 816-801-1328 or vtwombly@iaap-hq.org.

Chapter/Division Highlights  
Notes from around IAAP

What has your chapter or division been doing? If it's interesting and newsworthy, submit your news for possible publication in IAAP Connections. Before submitting your news, please read the new submission guidelines.

The government of Nova Scotia honored administrative professionals by proclaiming April 21 - 25, 2008 as Administrative Professionals’ Week. Read more about it here.
 

2008 Certification Conference  
Don't miss this!

Mark your calendars now for the 2008 Certification Conference, and watch the main IAAP website later this month for further details.

October 19-22
Grand Hyatt Denver
Denver, Colo.

Registration opens June 1. Early bird registration (June 1-July 31) is only for those who hold an active CPS or CAP rating; early bird fees will be $495 for active CPS and CAP holders who are members of IAAP, and $575 for nonmembers. Starting Aug. 1, registration will open for those who are not certified; fees will be $575 for IAAP members and $680 for non-members.

Our hotel rate at the Grand Hyatt Denver is $179 single/double and $189 triple/quad plus tax. To make hotel reservations call 1-800-233-1234 and identify yourself as an attendee of the IAAP Conference. For a look at the hotel, click here.

Don't miss the chance to take advantage of this excellent educational opportunity and great chance to network with other administrative professionals who face the same challenges. The annual Certification Conference is also great way for active CPS and CAP holders to earn some of those much needed recertification points.

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