carolanne
Newbie
Posts: 4
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« on: March 28, 2002, 05:39:27 am » |
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I've been reading the posts here and have finally had to register just to ask my question. This has bothered me for a while, and I apologize in advance for going on a soap box and the length.
Why must there be requirements to join any Administrative Association or Secretarial Organization? Why is there not an organization that accepts any admin or secretary, from the first-time assistant in her first job to the President's Administrative Assistant who has been in this field for 15 years?
I feel that one of the reasons that Desk Demon has been accepted the way it has is because it gives ALL admins a place to network, mentor, learn, develop, and advance in themselves and their positions. The first time admin can come in here and get advice, maybe even some mentoring, but we're only allowed to do this online or in the virtual world? Why not have an organization that allows this in the real world?
On my soap box: There are folks in these forums who have fought battles over issues such as sexual harassment, being treated as an equal, battles over pay, who have all advanced the admin field to the area it is in today. Admins just coming in to this field might not know these advances. Or they might not know how to keep from backsliding to where those battles have to be fought again. By putting requirements on enrollment in admin organizations, the knowledge is not being passed along and it does nothing but hurt us all and the career field itself.
I've read posts that have likened admin organizations to organizations that doctors or lawyers join. Most of those don't have experience requirements and all licensed physicians and lawyers are often expected or required to join these groups. It is a way of knowing who is licensed and to keep the information learned from one group passed along to those new to the field. Becoming a secretary or admin might not require a degree or license but we could still offer the organization that allows our newest members to be as informed as the older members and to continue the growth of the field as a whole. I think opening up the membership to all admins in these organizations would offer another avenue of education to those new and upcoming admins and could be an additional thing done by organizations to improve this career field. Because an education is not a requirement, the only way new admins with no experience get the knowledge that experienced admins have is by stumbling across a mentor in their job willing to share, or by trial and error. An antiquated system that I think should be changed and I’m glad to see that at least Desk Demon is doing that.
Thank you.
Carol Anne
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beaintheuk
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« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2002, 09:49:47 am » |
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Entirely agree with you!
If I could have joined an association when I started working as secretary 7 years ago, it would have so much boosted my knowledge and the help you can get from other members is so vauable.
I only found out about these organisations last year and I am glad I have joined. Sometimes I feel these restrictions are actually very flexible. The associations always want to have more members so it wouldn't make sense to refuse future members.
Beatrice
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Jackie G
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« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2002, 10:30:00 am » |
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Carolanne Interesting post. I can only respond on behalf of IQPS as I am not fully aware of the set up of EuMA. We are set up by a constitution and that is why we have a certain entrance criteria. Originally ONLY holders of the LCCI PSD (as it was then) could join IQPS - that excluded even me! As Bea says however, it's quite flexible and a lot of people join at branch level as a subscriber (ie not National IQPS Member) as Bea has done, until such time as either they decide to join nationally, or until such time as they have gained sufficient experience (either through examination or career experience) to meet our entrance criteria. Joining a branch as a subscriber is the best way for a new young secretary starting out on her career to learn - you can't expect to walk out of college and know it all on day one. Indeed, learning only realy begins when you hit the real world. If I hadn't worked for 5 summers through end of school and through college, where I gained not only valuable work experience of actually 'doing the job' but also gained tremendous increases in both my shorthand and typing speeds - ie went the first summer from 20 wpm to 60 wpm! - I would have started my BBC job on the very bottom salary grading - instead, I joined with two and a half years' experience, and this was reflected in my starting salary. Without a major constitutional change - which would be difficult to effect (don't start on company law please!) - IQPS will always have entrance criteria for prospective members to meet.  Jackie www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
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laundryhater
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« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2002, 03:46:39 pm » |
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I agree Carolanne.
Start such an organization and I will join (if the membership fee isn't too steep, that is). I think it's a great idea and could possibly grow to become the largest Admin organization out there. And I will be able to say that I was one of the first members (a pioneer).
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msmarieh
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« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2002, 03:56:32 pm » |
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Well I can't speak for the other organizations, but as far as I know, there is no such requirement for joining IAAP (other than simply being in the administrative function). There is a requirement for taking the CPS/CAP exam, but I don't consider that unreasonable.
Marie
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andream
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« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2002, 04:48:02 pm » |
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Excellent points noted ladies. Your additional thoughts on this would be appreciated via email to Andream@deskdemon.comEdited by admin on 28/03/02 03:58 PM. |
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copyboy007
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« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2002, 05:43:23 pm » |
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Our group is always open to receiving visitors on any level when we gather. To become an official member of IAAP, the paperwork seems simple enough. Any organization, I believe, would want to welcome prospective members at any time to meet in person without having to join until they are ready -- the more peers networking the merrier.  CopyBoy007
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countrigal
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« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2002, 06:48:28 pm » |
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Welcome Carol! Glad to have another voice in the group.
As for your question, I agree and agree with Laundryhater... let's pioneer one.
CountriGal
Deskdemon Editorial Board Member
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chris68
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« Reply #8 on: March 28, 2002, 07:50:30 pm » |
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Ditto here! Please do and I'll be more than happy to sign up! Chris68
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bethalize
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« Reply #9 on: March 28, 2002, 08:43:22 pm » |
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Maybe Deskdemon could start one!
Bethalize
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chris68
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« Reply #10 on: March 28, 2002, 09:06:47 pm » |
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Best idea I've heard all day bethalize! Maybe someone on staff could investigate it for us and see what our options are? Chris68
Deskdemon Forum Board Staff |
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Jackie G
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« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2002, 09:12:25 pm » |
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As is IQPS Copyboy - sorry I should have made that clear. I know I have in other posts in other areas in The Hub! Jackie www.iqps.org
DeskDemon Forum Board Staff
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chare
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« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2002, 09:25:24 pm » |
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Ditto all the comments made so far - I'd definitely be interested!
Char
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mlm668
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« Reply #14 on: March 29, 2002, 02:20:02 pm » |
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I'm a MAL (member at large) of IAAP. I haven't joined a district or division chapter for the simple fact that I am so busy with work, school and family that I simply cannot find the time for meetings. The local chapter's meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month. To attend, I would have to miss a class. Considering that there are approximately 3 months per semester, I am looking at missing a minimum of two - three classes per semester. Night classes are close to 3 hours to equate one week of day classes. Missing one would be the same as missing three classes. Not a good idea at all. There has been a discussion on the IAAP message board about online chapters and how they would be of benefit to those in rural areas who have to travel an hour or more to attend a meeting. Because of my situation and because the closest chapter meets 45 minutes from where I live and work, I'd be very interested in something like that. IAAP for the most part is against it. On the other hand, don't we already have a secretarial organization of a sort right here? We meet online every day and discuss everything from work to the weather. It's been of great benefit to me at work and as a person in general. I've been exposed to all types of industries and working styles and I've learned a lot of new procedures and software tips. Not to mention the networking. All we are missing here is an International Convention. HINT, HINT, HINT Andrea - I've always wanted to see London and that would a great excuse to justify the expense.  Michelle  Edited by mlm668 on 29/03/02 01:21 PM. |
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