Blogs

I so appreciate those of you who volunteer for a leadership position within IAAP. It takes time, and energy, and commitment to the profession and the association. And while each position has its own set of hurdles, those folks who serve on the Program Committee really have it tough. They have to survey the members to see what are the hot topics (knowing that over the years, there have been lots and lots of topics already covered). They have to find locals who can address the topics well and entice them to give up a precious evening (most chapters still meet at night) and make an hour-long presentation so people can get recertification credit for it (lots of prep required for an hour program). Then...there are always a few presenters who have to cancel at the last minute, sending frightening chills up and down the committee's collective spines. But, their job is so important - it keeps members interested and engaged; it helps recruit new members into the organization; it provides information and skills that members can take back to the job; it shows employers that IAAP is worth the investment; and it keeps everyone coming to monthly meetings and being an active, vital part of the chapter. [more]

I open each piece, attaching envelopes where they could be useful, date stamp, and place in individual plastic stacked sorting trays for each employee.  These trays are labeled with the names of each employee alphabetically, and employees get to know where there tray is and instinctively check it as they come and go past my desk.  I have one tray at the top for incoming mail and the rest for individual employees.  Since I have 10 trays, there are two stacks of 5.  They are placed on the ledge in front of my desk, where I can reach them without having to go anywhere.  The trays have labels front and back, for the receiving employee and for the mail sorter (me).  I have constant input to these trays, and they have become invaluable to my workflow.  I don't know what I ever did without them.  Actually, the secretary before me would walk the mail to each desk - imagine that!  If I did that, I would never get anything else done, because my work product goes in there, as well! [more]

I would like to see hqtrs supply more presentations for chapter meetings, including authorization for recertification points.  I think we could really upgrade the quality of speakers as well as presentations that way, also standardizing content for quality assurance.  I have noticed that repeat presentations are being offered by different speakers, and while different speakers may have slightly different content, members should not have to listen to the same thing over and over again.  For example, we recently had the same presentation at a chapter meeting that is also being given at the annual division meeting.  And I believe this same presentation was also given at last year's division educational meeting.  Maybe we should even look at requiring a certain number of our meetings to include standardized presentations from headquarters in order to qualify for Chapter of Excellence.  Maybe this sounds far-fetched, but I feel that it would improve quality and facilitate programming where that job is like pulling cats out of hats sometimes!  [more]