February 2012
The Capital Courier Capital District Chapter IAAP, Albany, NY www.IAAP-capitaldistrict.org For your Information
V o l u m e
• Deadline for articles for the newsletter is the first Friday of each month. • Newsletters are sent electronically to members and also posted on our website.
Inside this issue: President’s Message (cont.)
2
March 20th Chapter Meeting Member Birthdays
3
Executive Director’s Message How to Handle Career Dilemmas— OfficeTeam
4
Questions to Ask 5 Before Stepping Into a Leadership Role—Susan Fenner, Ph.D. Board of Directors & Committee Chairs
6
Avery Box Tops Challenge What You Need to Know…
7
2 ,
I s s u e
5
F e b r u a r y
2 0 1 2
President’s Message Every office has at least one of THEM. W e attempt to avoid THEM like the plague. We hear their voice around the corner and with the soundtrack from JAWS theme song playing in our head, we turn the other way. However, there are times when no matter how hard I’ve tried, I’ve been caught in their grip. THEY are the Grouch, the Complainer, or as I’ve named the more serious cases, the Hu man Vortex of Negativity. They share how awful their supervisor is or how unfairly they are treated by the employer. They harshly criticize the company to fellow employees or even to those outside the organization. Sometimes it seems as though their goal is to drain us or our positive outlook hoping we’ll succumb and agree with their point of view. So, the question is “How do we remain a
professional and keep our positive outlook in tact when we’re surrounded by those who spread s uc h negativity?” Of course, there are those co-workers who are normally optimistic but are going through a rough t i m e a n d j u s t need to vent a little. If that’s the case, Human Resources expert Susan Heathfield writes “Sometimes, the coworker just wants to complain to a friendly, listening ear; they don’t want your advice or assistance to address the situation. Listen, but set limits so the coworker does not overstay or over-talk his or her welcome. Long term complaining saps your energy and positive outlook. Don’t allow that to happen. “ However, sometimes the situation is more severe
and has the potential to create a toxic chain reaction. Recently there was such an encounter in my department. An employee announced to his co-workers, on the department floor and just steps away from our director’s office, that he was attending a job fair hosted by another company the next day and advised everyone within earshot to pass on their resumes for him to distribute at the event. The co-worker who witnessed the encounter talked about it over lunch later that day. Almost immediately, you could feel the atmosphere change as everyone at the lunch table reacted with disappointment and negativity. Nothing spreads faster than a bad feeling, and I know
(Continued on page 2)
Page 2
President’s Message (Continued from page 1) Use i-Give to Support Our Chapter Change Shopping for Good™ Raise money every time you shop at 900+ top stores. It's Free, Fast & Simple No forms to fill out. Shop as you normally would. Coupons & Promo Codes Save money with thousands of coupons and promo codes to use at checkout! You've been missing out! Since 1997, our 350,000 members have helped over 30,000 causes and charities. Sign-up at iGive.com and select Capital District IAAP.
Trademarks and Registered Service Marks of IAAP®: IAAP®, International Association of Administrative Professionals®, Administrative Professionals Day®, Administrative Professionals Week®, OfficePRO®, Certified Administrative Professional®, CAP® Certified Administrative Professional-Organizational Management®, CAP-OM®.
each of us carried that person’s encounter with that negative co-worker with us the remainder of the day. Heathfield advises “Deal with genuinely negative people by spending as little time with them as possible. Just as you set limits with the coworkers whose negativity you believe is baseless or unwarranted, you need to set limits with genuinely negative people. Causes of their long term negativity are not your concern. You reinforce the negativity; negativity is a choice. Negativity mongers need a new job, a new company, a new career, a new outlook, or counseling. They don’t need you.” The only item I would add to Heathfield’s suggestions is to speak with your supervisor about these negative encounters, as she/he may have experienced similar situations and can offer some great advice. The important thing is to remain proactive when dealing with your own Human Vortex of Negativity at the office. Don’t get trapped . . . stay positive. Remember . . . Make it a Remarkable Year!
Tracey Ainsworth, CAP-OM
March 20, 2012 Leadership: Is It For Me?" Presented by: Angela Grabowski, CAP-OM NYS Division Vice-President The program objectives are: • • •
Review the duties of leadership roles Review the legal, fiduciary, and ethical responsibilities of officers Discuss mentoring and succession planning
Buca di Beppo 44 Wolf Road, Albany Members $23; Non-members $25 RSVP No later than March 13, 2012 to Grace Olesak-Irby: [email protected]; (860) 578-5425 (cell phone)
Please make checks payable to: Capital District Chapter-IAAP. Note: If you make a reservation and do not attend the meeting, you are responsible for payment.
The Capital Courier February 2012
Volume 2, Issue 5 February 2012
Page 3
Member Birthdays Deyette Koyon February 10 Angela Leonardi and Stacey Thomas, CAP February 23
Greetings from the new IAAP Executive Director - Jay Donohue Over the years I’ve worked in various jobs. And, I’ve had something in common at each: a fantastic colleague – my administrative assistant. Frankly - I’d be lost without an admin. As the new executive director here at IAAP, I can’t say I’ve ever done your job or know the ins and outs of your daily workload. However, I do know how invaluable your skills are to the business world. I, personally, hold the administrative profession, and those who work in it, in highest of regard. I always encouraged my administrative staff colleagues to further their education and knowledge. That’s one of the reasons I’m excited to be here, serving your association. I saw firsthand what good training could contribute to the office. It’s an honor to be starting my tenure at IAAP during its 70th anniversary year. All of you as members can be proud of the long history of IAAP and how this association has changed in tandem with the climate in the workplace. While I’m very new to the role of executive director, I’ve been doing a lot of reading, talking to the board and the staff, and recognize that’s it’s been a tough couple of years for this association. We’ve suffered a decline in membership even though we provide more resources for today’s administrative professional than in any time in our proud history. I’m looking ahead at the coming year with hope and resolve. This is a necessary association for administrative professionals. I want you to know I plan to devote my energies and boundless enthusiasm to helping you, the elected leadership, and the terrific headquarters staff to take a great association and make it even better. Are you with me? What I’d like us to do is band together to get the word out about IAAP. Can you help? We have a lot to offer in the way of professional certification, educational materials, strong chapters, networking and our popular conferences: Education Forum and Annual Meeting and Spring Conference. At EFAM we offer attendees upwards of 24 hours or more of education. As someone who’s worked closely with admins for years, it’s one conference I’d encourage administrative professionals to attend. Why not invite someone who has never attended one of our meetings before? As for you, I hope you’re planning to come to Grapevine this summer. I know I am looking forward to my first EFAM experience. We have a lot to offer office professionals here at IAAP. In the next couple weeks we’ll be announcing exciting news that will help you recruit your co-workers into the association. This will help you make a difference to your colleagues that don’t know about IAAP yet and make it easy for them to join. Again, I’m thrilled to be here at IAAP Headquarters, working for you. Working together, we can indeed make a difference and significant contribution to the profession now and in the future.
Page 4
How to Handle Career Dilemmas: A Quick Guide Decisions about how to approach everyday tasks in the workplace are usually pretty straightforward. Occasionally, though, situations arise where the best course of action is not so clear. Following are three examples of career dilemmas you may encounter, along with suggestions on how to handle them. You find out a coworker, who has the same job as you, makes more money. Before immediately going to your boss with your concerns, take this opportunity to do some research first. Consult resources such as the U.S. Department of Labor’s website, and the Salary Guides published annually by OfficeTeam. This will give you an idea of what others with skills similar to yours are paid. You can then approach your manager with information that will lend credibility to your request. You’ve heard from a friend about a potential new job that sounds intriguing, but you’re happy with the job you have. A change may sound exciting, but be sure to compare salary and benefits packages, opportunities for advancement, and corporate culture before you make a
leap. It’s also a good idea to meet with your boss to discuss your career path and compensation potential at your current firm without mentioning the possible new job. You have the opportunity to head up a challenging project. Before immediately volunteering, weigh the pros and cons. Is this the best project to help you improve your skills and broaden your scope within the organization? Another key consideration: Do you really have enough time given your current responsibilities? If you are still hesitant, you may want to consider a lesser role instead of spearheading the project. This could still give you the chance to be involved, hone your skills and increase your visibility. What most workplace dilemmas have in common is that there is no single, obvious way to solve them. Carefully weighing your options can help you feel more confident you’ve made the decision that’s right for you. OfficeTeam is the world’s leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative and office support professionals. The company has 315 locations worldwide, and offers online job search services at www.officeteam.com.
WHEN YOU LEAP YOU SOAR, WHEN YOU SOAR YOU BECOME REMARKABLE… New York State Division, Inc. 60th Annual Meeting Friday, May 18th to Sunday, May 20, 2012
The Capital Courier February 2012
Volume 2, Issue 5 February 2012
Page 5
Questions To Ask Before Stepping Into A Leadership Role Susan Fenner, Ph.D., IAAP Staff Most of us have opportunities on the job and within IAAP to step into leadership roles. Sometimes the invitations are subtle; sometimes it feels more like gentle coercion. How do you know when you should say yes and when you should decline? Here’s some questions to ask yourself before you commit. ♦
♦
♦ ♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Who’s doing the asking? There may be times when you have no choice but to pitch in and pick up the slack and “no” isn’t really an alternative when a higher-up makes the request. Graciously say “yes” and make it work. What will you lose if you don’t accept? Will you lose status as a team player? An opportunity that won’t come around again? A sense of peace (you’ll be stewing over your refusal for months to come)? Then ask yourself - is it personally or professionally worth declining? What will you gain from the experience? If there’s a chance you’ll add to your reputation or skill base or get to try out a new role, then go for it! Do you have time to do it right? If you know there’s “no way no how” to get the job done – on time and worthy of having your name associated with it – then it’s better to refuse the offer up front before things get out of hand and both you and the project fail. Could it expand your networks? Who will you be working with? Can you meet new colleagues or teammates from other departments that you’ve long admired who could give your career a boost (and make it fun too)? If the answer is affirmative, then you have your answer. Would it be a busman’s holiday for you? If the job calls on experiences you’ve mastered long ago and there’s an up-and-comer who could truly benefit from the learning, then offer to be a source of support for the newbie and help him/her through the process. With you serving as a mentor, everyone wins. Will it look good on your resume or in your annual review? Many times, to move up (or out), or get a salary increase, you’ll need to gain new skill sets that you’d never get in your current position. Volunteering to write the chapter newsletter or spearhead the United Way campaign will make you visible and provide talking points when you seek a promotion or make career changes. It’s a way to get that beyond-your-job experience when your step requires it. Can you streamline the process and make it more manageable? Are there parts of the job you could delegate, use a co-coordinator, eliminate or combine, and/or get results faster by using new technologies? In other words, can you pare the job down and make it doable on your terms? Are there models or resources you can use? No sense re-doing what’s already been done well, with all the kinks worked out. If you can build on what others have done successfully, go for it. With Google searches, web communities, and easy access to people and things, half of your tasks may be done before you even start. Can you set parameters or redefine the specifics? Can you redesign the project to have it work better for you? Examples – conference calls instead of face-to-face meetings; confirming a 6month-only commitment then passing it along to someone else; undisturbed free time to complete tasks during the work day…you get the idea.
Taking on more shouldn’t be a knee-jerk decision. Give the situation some thought before you commit and you’ll be guaranteed to make the added responsibility work for you and everyone involved. Editor’s Note: A timely message when considering what role you can assume in the chapter in the coming year. Information on nominations and chair positions will be circulated in March.
Page 6
2011-2012 Board of Directors President Tracey Ainsworth, CAP-OM
Vice President Patricia Biggica
Treasurer Stacey Thomas, CAP
2011-2012 Committee Chairs Administrative Professionals Week® Michelle A. Perez, CAP-OM Bylaws and Standing Rules Debra Goodstein Membership Jennifer Dellio Newsletter & Remembrance Linda S. Yates, CAP Social Grace Olesak-Irby Webmaster Rosalind D. Harris, CAP-OM
Join the IAAP/Avery Box Tops Challenge Benefitting Pinewood Intermediate School February ‐ April 30, 2012 LOOK FOR
COUPONS On a wide variety of products from Betty Crocker® to Ziploc® Confirm your coupon’s expiration year is 2013 & beyond. Bring your Box Tops to the March and April chapter meetings. (See guidelines from e‐mail message.) Questions? Call Tracey Ainsworth at 518‐274‐4016/518‐512‐2355 or email: [email protected].
The Capital Courier February 2012
Page 7
IAAP Mission Statement
Capital District Chapter—IAAP Albany, New York Member of New York State Division & Northeast District Editor Linda S. Yates, CAP 18 Chestnut Court Rensselaer, NY 12144 Phone/Fax: 518-427-8405 Cell: 518-461-3638 E-mail: [email protected]
“Enhancing the success of career-minded administrative professionals by providing opportunities for growth through education, community building and leadership development”
Chapter Meetings—Buca de Beppo Wednesday, April 25, 2012 (APW Celebration)* Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 (Annual Meeting & Election of Officers) *Location TBD.
Board Meetings March 6, 2012 at United Jewish Federation May 1, 2012 at United Jewish Federation
What You Need to Know… IAAP Deadlines and Events
the latest:
Visuals Make The Story Come Alive: Smart phones, Facebook, YouTube and animated PowerPoint slides have changed the way companies get their messages across. Gini Courter talks about the power of images and why admins need to master the art of incorporating them in communications today.
Becoming A Star In A Supporting Role: 2012 Spring Conference keynoter Bonnie Curtis served as an assistant to Steven Spielberg • April 22-28, 2012 — for 15 years and now produces Administrative her own award-winning films. Professionals Week Learn how to create a great team with a single vision and • May 5, 2012 — CAP and outstanding results. Learn more OM exams or register for Spring Conference. Free And/Or Low-Cost Online Tools And Apps: Beth Ziesenis, Understanding The New World Of • July 22-26, 2012 — EFAM author of Upgrade To Free: The Work: Allison Blankenship Best Free And Low-Cost Online explains what’s happening in the Free Podcasts to help your Tools And Apps and “your nerdy workplace that makes it stressful career best friend”, shares amazing sites and chaotic. She offers that will make your life easier, suggestions to help us adapt, Be sure to check the IAAP your productivity soar, and give seize opportunities, and be more website for free podcasts. Get your creativity a boost that will in control in a seemingly out-oftopics to help you in the make you the office star! workplace. They don't take a huge control situation. bite out of your workday. Here are •
March 4-7, 2012 — Spring Conference
V o l u m e
• Deadline for articles for the newsletter is the first Friday of each month. • Newsletters are sent electronically to members and also posted on our website.
Inside this issue: President’s Message (cont.)
2
March 20th Chapter Meeting Member Birthdays
3
Executive Director’s Message How to Handle Career Dilemmas— OfficeTeam
4
Questions to Ask 5 Before Stepping Into a Leadership Role—Susan Fenner, Ph.D. Board of Directors & Committee Chairs
6
Avery Box Tops Challenge What You Need to Know…
7
2 ,
I s s u e
5
F e b r u a r y
2 0 1 2
President’s Message Every office has at least one of THEM. W e attempt to avoid THEM like the plague. We hear their voice around the corner and with the soundtrack from JAWS theme song playing in our head, we turn the other way. However, there are times when no matter how hard I’ve tried, I’ve been caught in their grip. THEY are the Grouch, the Complainer, or as I’ve named the more serious cases, the Hu man Vortex of Negativity. They share how awful their supervisor is or how unfairly they are treated by the employer. They harshly criticize the company to fellow employees or even to those outside the organization. Sometimes it seems as though their goal is to drain us or our positive outlook hoping we’ll succumb and agree with their point of view. So, the question is “How do we remain a
professional and keep our positive outlook in tact when we’re surrounded by those who spread s uc h negativity?” Of course, there are those co-workers who are normally optimistic but are going through a rough t i m e a n d j u s t need to vent a little. If that’s the case, Human Resources expert Susan Heathfield writes “Sometimes, the coworker just wants to complain to a friendly, listening ear; they don’t want your advice or assistance to address the situation. Listen, but set limits so the coworker does not overstay or over-talk his or her welcome. Long term complaining saps your energy and positive outlook. Don’t allow that to happen. “ However, sometimes the situation is more severe
and has the potential to create a toxic chain reaction. Recently there was such an encounter in my department. An employee announced to his co-workers, on the department floor and just steps away from our director’s office, that he was attending a job fair hosted by another company the next day and advised everyone within earshot to pass on their resumes for him to distribute at the event. The co-worker who witnessed the encounter talked about it over lunch later that day. Almost immediately, you could feel the atmosphere change as everyone at the lunch table reacted with disappointment and negativity. Nothing spreads faster than a bad feeling, and I know
(Continued on page 2)
Page 2
President’s Message (Continued from page 1) Use i-Give to Support Our Chapter Change Shopping for Good™ Raise money every time you shop at 900+ top stores. It's Free, Fast & Simple No forms to fill out. Shop as you normally would. Coupons & Promo Codes Save money with thousands of coupons and promo codes to use at checkout! You've been missing out! Since 1997, our 350,000 members have helped over 30,000 causes and charities. Sign-up at iGive.com and select Capital District IAAP.
Trademarks and Registered Service Marks of IAAP®: IAAP®, International Association of Administrative Professionals®, Administrative Professionals Day®, Administrative Professionals Week®, OfficePRO®, Certified Administrative Professional®, CAP® Certified Administrative Professional-Organizational Management®, CAP-OM®.
each of us carried that person’s encounter with that negative co-worker with us the remainder of the day. Heathfield advises “Deal with genuinely negative people by spending as little time with them as possible. Just as you set limits with the coworkers whose negativity you believe is baseless or unwarranted, you need to set limits with genuinely negative people. Causes of their long term negativity are not your concern. You reinforce the negativity; negativity is a choice. Negativity mongers need a new job, a new company, a new career, a new outlook, or counseling. They don’t need you.” The only item I would add to Heathfield’s suggestions is to speak with your supervisor about these negative encounters, as she/he may have experienced similar situations and can offer some great advice. The important thing is to remain proactive when dealing with your own Human Vortex of Negativity at the office. Don’t get trapped . . . stay positive. Remember . . . Make it a Remarkable Year!
Tracey Ainsworth, CAP-OM
March 20, 2012 Leadership: Is It For Me?" Presented by: Angela Grabowski, CAP-OM NYS Division Vice-President The program objectives are: • • •
Review the duties of leadership roles Review the legal, fiduciary, and ethical responsibilities of officers Discuss mentoring and succession planning
Buca di Beppo 44 Wolf Road, Albany Members $23; Non-members $25 RSVP No later than March 13, 2012 to Grace Olesak-Irby: [email protected]; (860) 578-5425 (cell phone)
Please make checks payable to: Capital District Chapter-IAAP. Note: If you make a reservation and do not attend the meeting, you are responsible for payment.
The Capital Courier February 2012
Volume 2, Issue 5 February 2012
Page 3
Member Birthdays Deyette Koyon February 10 Angela Leonardi and Stacey Thomas, CAP February 23
Greetings from the new IAAP Executive Director - Jay Donohue Over the years I’ve worked in various jobs. And, I’ve had something in common at each: a fantastic colleague – my administrative assistant. Frankly - I’d be lost without an admin. As the new executive director here at IAAP, I can’t say I’ve ever done your job or know the ins and outs of your daily workload. However, I do know how invaluable your skills are to the business world. I, personally, hold the administrative profession, and those who work in it, in highest of regard. I always encouraged my administrative staff colleagues to further their education and knowledge. That’s one of the reasons I’m excited to be here, serving your association. I saw firsthand what good training could contribute to the office. It’s an honor to be starting my tenure at IAAP during its 70th anniversary year. All of you as members can be proud of the long history of IAAP and how this association has changed in tandem with the climate in the workplace. While I’m very new to the role of executive director, I’ve been doing a lot of reading, talking to the board and the staff, and recognize that’s it’s been a tough couple of years for this association. We’ve suffered a decline in membership even though we provide more resources for today’s administrative professional than in any time in our proud history. I’m looking ahead at the coming year with hope and resolve. This is a necessary association for administrative professionals. I want you to know I plan to devote my energies and boundless enthusiasm to helping you, the elected leadership, and the terrific headquarters staff to take a great association and make it even better. Are you with me? What I’d like us to do is band together to get the word out about IAAP. Can you help? We have a lot to offer in the way of professional certification, educational materials, strong chapters, networking and our popular conferences: Education Forum and Annual Meeting and Spring Conference. At EFAM we offer attendees upwards of 24 hours or more of education. As someone who’s worked closely with admins for years, it’s one conference I’d encourage administrative professionals to attend. Why not invite someone who has never attended one of our meetings before? As for you, I hope you’re planning to come to Grapevine this summer. I know I am looking forward to my first EFAM experience. We have a lot to offer office professionals here at IAAP. In the next couple weeks we’ll be announcing exciting news that will help you recruit your co-workers into the association. This will help you make a difference to your colleagues that don’t know about IAAP yet and make it easy for them to join. Again, I’m thrilled to be here at IAAP Headquarters, working for you. Working together, we can indeed make a difference and significant contribution to the profession now and in the future.
Page 4
How to Handle Career Dilemmas: A Quick Guide Decisions about how to approach everyday tasks in the workplace are usually pretty straightforward. Occasionally, though, situations arise where the best course of action is not so clear. Following are three examples of career dilemmas you may encounter, along with suggestions on how to handle them. You find out a coworker, who has the same job as you, makes more money. Before immediately going to your boss with your concerns, take this opportunity to do some research first. Consult resources such as the U.S. Department of Labor’s website, and the Salary Guides published annually by OfficeTeam. This will give you an idea of what others with skills similar to yours are paid. You can then approach your manager with information that will lend credibility to your request. You’ve heard from a friend about a potential new job that sounds intriguing, but you’re happy with the job you have. A change may sound exciting, but be sure to compare salary and benefits packages, opportunities for advancement, and corporate culture before you make a
leap. It’s also a good idea to meet with your boss to discuss your career path and compensation potential at your current firm without mentioning the possible new job. You have the opportunity to head up a challenging project. Before immediately volunteering, weigh the pros and cons. Is this the best project to help you improve your skills and broaden your scope within the organization? Another key consideration: Do you really have enough time given your current responsibilities? If you are still hesitant, you may want to consider a lesser role instead of spearheading the project. This could still give you the chance to be involved, hone your skills and increase your visibility. What most workplace dilemmas have in common is that there is no single, obvious way to solve them. Carefully weighing your options can help you feel more confident you’ve made the decision that’s right for you. OfficeTeam is the world’s leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative and office support professionals. The company has 315 locations worldwide, and offers online job search services at www.officeteam.com.
WHEN YOU LEAP YOU SOAR, WHEN YOU SOAR YOU BECOME REMARKABLE… New York State Division, Inc. 60th Annual Meeting Friday, May 18th to Sunday, May 20, 2012
The Capital Courier February 2012
Volume 2, Issue 5 February 2012
Page 5
Questions To Ask Before Stepping Into A Leadership Role Susan Fenner, Ph.D., IAAP Staff Most of us have opportunities on the job and within IAAP to step into leadership roles. Sometimes the invitations are subtle; sometimes it feels more like gentle coercion. How do you know when you should say yes and when you should decline? Here’s some questions to ask yourself before you commit. ♦
♦
♦ ♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Who’s doing the asking? There may be times when you have no choice but to pitch in and pick up the slack and “no” isn’t really an alternative when a higher-up makes the request. Graciously say “yes” and make it work. What will you lose if you don’t accept? Will you lose status as a team player? An opportunity that won’t come around again? A sense of peace (you’ll be stewing over your refusal for months to come)? Then ask yourself - is it personally or professionally worth declining? What will you gain from the experience? If there’s a chance you’ll add to your reputation or skill base or get to try out a new role, then go for it! Do you have time to do it right? If you know there’s “no way no how” to get the job done – on time and worthy of having your name associated with it – then it’s better to refuse the offer up front before things get out of hand and both you and the project fail. Could it expand your networks? Who will you be working with? Can you meet new colleagues or teammates from other departments that you’ve long admired who could give your career a boost (and make it fun too)? If the answer is affirmative, then you have your answer. Would it be a busman’s holiday for you? If the job calls on experiences you’ve mastered long ago and there’s an up-and-comer who could truly benefit from the learning, then offer to be a source of support for the newbie and help him/her through the process. With you serving as a mentor, everyone wins. Will it look good on your resume or in your annual review? Many times, to move up (or out), or get a salary increase, you’ll need to gain new skill sets that you’d never get in your current position. Volunteering to write the chapter newsletter or spearhead the United Way campaign will make you visible and provide talking points when you seek a promotion or make career changes. It’s a way to get that beyond-your-job experience when your step requires it. Can you streamline the process and make it more manageable? Are there parts of the job you could delegate, use a co-coordinator, eliminate or combine, and/or get results faster by using new technologies? In other words, can you pare the job down and make it doable on your terms? Are there models or resources you can use? No sense re-doing what’s already been done well, with all the kinks worked out. If you can build on what others have done successfully, go for it. With Google searches, web communities, and easy access to people and things, half of your tasks may be done before you even start. Can you set parameters or redefine the specifics? Can you redesign the project to have it work better for you? Examples – conference calls instead of face-to-face meetings; confirming a 6month-only commitment then passing it along to someone else; undisturbed free time to complete tasks during the work day…you get the idea.
Taking on more shouldn’t be a knee-jerk decision. Give the situation some thought before you commit and you’ll be guaranteed to make the added responsibility work for you and everyone involved. Editor’s Note: A timely message when considering what role you can assume in the chapter in the coming year. Information on nominations and chair positions will be circulated in March.
Page 6
2011-2012 Board of Directors President Tracey Ainsworth, CAP-OM
Vice President Patricia Biggica
Treasurer Stacey Thomas, CAP
2011-2012 Committee Chairs Administrative Professionals Week® Michelle A. Perez, CAP-OM Bylaws and Standing Rules Debra Goodstein Membership Jennifer Dellio Newsletter & Remembrance Linda S. Yates, CAP Social Grace Olesak-Irby Webmaster Rosalind D. Harris, CAP-OM
Join the IAAP/Avery Box Tops Challenge Benefitting Pinewood Intermediate School February ‐ April 30, 2012 LOOK FOR
COUPONS On a wide variety of products from Betty Crocker® to Ziploc® Confirm your coupon’s expiration year is 2013 & beyond. Bring your Box Tops to the March and April chapter meetings. (See guidelines from e‐mail message.) Questions? Call Tracey Ainsworth at 518‐274‐4016/518‐512‐2355 or email: [email protected].
The Capital Courier February 2012
Page 7
IAAP Mission Statement
Capital District Chapter—IAAP Albany, New York Member of New York State Division & Northeast District Editor Linda S. Yates, CAP 18 Chestnut Court Rensselaer, NY 12144 Phone/Fax: 518-427-8405 Cell: 518-461-3638 E-mail: [email protected]
“Enhancing the success of career-minded administrative professionals by providing opportunities for growth through education, community building and leadership development”
Chapter Meetings—Buca de Beppo Wednesday, April 25, 2012 (APW Celebration)* Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Tuesday, June 12, 2012 (Annual Meeting & Election of Officers) *Location TBD.
Board Meetings March 6, 2012 at United Jewish Federation May 1, 2012 at United Jewish Federation
What You Need to Know… IAAP Deadlines and Events
the latest:
Visuals Make The Story Come Alive: Smart phones, Facebook, YouTube and animated PowerPoint slides have changed the way companies get their messages across. Gini Courter talks about the power of images and why admins need to master the art of incorporating them in communications today.
Becoming A Star In A Supporting Role: 2012 Spring Conference keynoter Bonnie Curtis served as an assistant to Steven Spielberg • April 22-28, 2012 — for 15 years and now produces Administrative her own award-winning films. Professionals Week Learn how to create a great team with a single vision and • May 5, 2012 — CAP and outstanding results. Learn more OM exams or register for Spring Conference. Free And/Or Low-Cost Online Tools And Apps: Beth Ziesenis, Understanding The New World Of • July 22-26, 2012 — EFAM author of Upgrade To Free: The Work: Allison Blankenship Best Free And Low-Cost Online explains what’s happening in the Free Podcasts to help your Tools And Apps and “your nerdy workplace that makes it stressful career best friend”, shares amazing sites and chaotic. She offers that will make your life easier, suggestions to help us adapt, Be sure to check the IAAP your productivity soar, and give seize opportunities, and be more website for free podcasts. Get your creativity a boost that will in control in a seemingly out-oftopics to help you in the make you the office star! workplace. They don't take a huge control situation. bite out of your workday. Here are •
March 4-7, 2012 — Spring Conference
