Even with the economic downturn causing companies to cut the fat from their budgets, there will still be holiday happenings over the next two months. If you feel increased pressure at business holiday functions that causes you anxiety and hurts your communication skills, Debra Fine's article "'Tis the Season to Make the Most of Mingling" is for you. She gives easy to implement tips on conversing with the boss, his or her spouse and leaving a great impression while you're doing it.

You only have four more weeks to take advantage of the special deal for Education Forum and Annual Meeting. Prepay your room at the Sheraton Boston and prepay your conference registration fee and you get 10 percent off of both. You could save at least $125. We only have a limited number of packages to sell and they're going quickly. Sign up today!

The Gift of Membership
The gift that gives all year long

Do you have a special co-worker or friend who is also an administrative professional? If you’d like to do something special for him or her we have the perfect idea: Give the Gift of Membership. It’s a great way to introduce your friends and co-workers to IAAP. Maybe it’s a way to help that admin that just got laid off, or as a special gift for your son or daughter who is now a part of the profession.

It’s easy to give the Gift of Membership. You can either mail/fax in the Gift of Membership form or call Headquarters with your information, including payment, and the name and contact information of the recipient. After the membership department gets the information, they will send out an e-mail informing the recipient of his or her Gift of Membership. It only takes a few minutes but gives a gift that lasts an entire year.

You can access the forms here:
New Gift of Membership
Renewal Gift of Membership

Don’t let another day go by. Give the perfect gift, the Gift of Membership.

Award for Excellence
Nomination Deadline Approaching

Remember the Award is on a new schedule this year. Chapter Nominations for the 2010 Award for Excellence are due December 10, 2009.

President Shamali will notify the two Award for Excellence winners and nominating IAAP chapter presidents in February 2010. The winning companies will be announced as part of the IAAP Administrative Professional Week publicity. Then representatives from both companies will be invited to accept the Award at the closing banquet of the 2010 EFAM in Boston.

The IAAP Award for Excellence was created in 1992 to recognize an employer organization that has established policies and programs to encourage and support the advancement and effectiveness of administrative professionals.

The Award for Excellence Guidelines and Nomination Submission Form can be found in the Newsroom section of the IAAP web site (www.iaap-hq.org), under Awards > Award for Excellence.

Questions about the Award for Excellence should be directed to Kathy Schoneboom CPS/CAP at 816-891-6600 x2227 or e-mail kschone@iaap-hq.org, or to Jennifer Mikic CPS/CAP at 816-891-6600 x2225 or e-mail jmikic@iaap-hq.org.

Get Your Christmas Cards from The Trust

If you send out holiday cards, consider purchasing this year's card from The Trust. A portion of the price of the cards may be tax-deductible. Consult with your tax professional. 

$20/25 cards
$35/50 cards
$50/75 cards

Click here for an order form.

Dues Increase Effective January 1, 2010

Pursuant to the passage of a bylaws amendment by the delegates at the 2009 International Education Forum and Annual Meeting, effective Jan. 1, 2010 annual dues, payable in U.S. funds, will be submitted based on classification of membership as follows:

 
1.  Any member who resides in the United States, its territories, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States or Canada.
2.  Any member who resides outside the United States, its territories, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States or Canada.
 
For those members receiving first and second notices before Jan. 1, payment must be received before Jan. 1, 2010 or the additional dues will be required. Questions can be directed to membership@iaap-hq.org.

Building Relationships Theme For Spring IAAP Conference, March 8-10 in Reno

In the business world today, the name of the game is building relationships.

Click here for more information and to register.

New Exciting One-Day Educational Workshops
Coming in 2010

IAAP is partnering with the publisher of The Office Professional newsletter to offer a series of workshops in 2010. Members receive special discounts and a year’s subscription to The Office Professional newsletter (a $97 value) with registration. All of these workshops are eligible for recertification points.

Minute Taking Made Easy Workshop Coming to Various U.S. Cities
Does the thought of taking minutes cause your heart to sink? Do you ever read minutes for a meeting that you attended and find that the recorder didn't record what actually happened? Or do you have people in your office who want the minutes to record what they meant to say, not what they actually said? Minute taking is one of those skills few people have learned to do properly. Here is your chance to learn how to shine! This one-day workshop will be presented in eight U.S. cities. Click here to find the locations and to register.
 
The Amazing Assistant Workshop – Houston, Jan. 27, 2010
In a fun, intensive and action-packed one-day workshop, you'll take a great leap, from working because you have to, to working because you want to— from being a good assistant to becoming an amazing assistant! This is not your typical sit-back-and-listen seminar. You'll be actively involved with other participants in finding real solutions for your real situations. Click here for more details and to register

Better Business Writing for Busy Office Professionals Workshop – Chicago, Feb. 4, 2010
If learning to do just three simple things could decrease the time you spend writing by up to 50%, and increase the possibility that someone would actually read what you write, would you do it? If your answer is yes, this practical business writing session is for you. Click here for complete details and registration info.

Space is limited, so register early!

Certification News
November Exam Results

We know you are getting anxious if you took the CPS or CAP exams in November. Performance Reports are scheduled to be mailed from Kansas City around Dec. 22. If for any reason we are unable to make that mailing date, we will post a notice on the main web site and the web community. Otherwise, look to receive your Performance Report within 7-10 days after our mailing; if you are outside the continental United States, it will take a little longer to reach you.

The Certification Department is not permitted to release Performance Reports via phone, fax, or email, and the information is not available on the web.

Prior to sending Performance Reports all scores are checked and rechecked through a series of both manual and electronic edits. Performance reported is final.

Best wishes as you receive your Performance Reports.

Final Recertification Reminder for 2009
If you attained the CPS or CAP rating December 2004, you need to recertify this month to keep that rating active. Your complete packet and fees need to be received in the Certification Department by the last business day of December. If you last recertified December 2004, the same deadlines hold true for you.

If you were due to recertify in the past 120 days and missed the deadline, there still may be time to submit your packet and keep your rating. Effective Jan. 1, 2009, those CPS and CAP holders who do not recertify by their time limit may have a 120-day grace period to submit their complete recertification paperwork. Those individuals will pay the initial $75 recertification fee plus a $100 late fee.

Don’t let your certification status become inactive. Act now to maintain the professional rating you worked hard to attain.

If you have questions on certification or recertification contact the Certification Department at 816-891-6600 x2248, 2225, or 2227; or e-mail your questions to certification@iaap-hq.org.

Staff Spotlight
Meet Emily Allen

Emily Allen has been working for IAAP since March of 2008. She started out as IAAP’s communications specialist and moved to publications and communications manager in August. Emily coordinates publications for IAAP including brochures, e-blasts, e-newsletters and the public website. She is also managing editor of OfficePro magazine. Emily manages public relations for the association creating press campaigns, coordinating contests and communicating with the media. She also keeps up with IAAP’s social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Delicious and Flickr. “I’ve enjoyed working for IAAP since I started here last year,” Emily said. “My job is varied enough that it always stays interesting.”

When Emily is not working she spends way too much time listening to National Public Radio. She also enjoys reading, attending local Kansas City arts/music events and writing. She volunteers for the literacy organization Kansas City Reach Out and Read as their speaker’s bureau coordinator. If she has time left over, she freelances for various adult and children’s publications including the Kansas City Star, as their Midwest Voices columnist.

“I have five wonderful children but only two teens are still at home. I love being involved in their lives and activities," said Emily. "I’m already mourning their departure in a few years.”

Contact Emily at 816-801-1319 or eallen@iaap-hq.org.