Submitted by kristie.berezay@inl.gov on 4/1/2010 12:22:57 PM Last updated by kristie.berezay@inl.gov on 4/1/2010 12:22:57 PM
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
in the
Idaho-Oregon-Utah Division
of
and its Chapters
The Idaho-Oregon-Utah Division Officers have prepared this brochure to tell you about the benefits of FULL membership in IAAP --- The special benefits of networking and friendship that can be gained by belonging to the Idaho-Oregon-Utah Division and a local chapter. These are actual stories that have been submitted by members of the Division:
IAAP Stories
At International Convention in Portland Oregon , in 1999, I was visiting with a division member who worked at a community college 110 miles from where I live. I told her my nephew was going to start school there the following month. When she found out he was a new student, she told me she had several new student scholarships that had not been claimed. When I returned from convention, I found a faxed application which I gave to my nephew. He ended up receiving a renewable $350 scholarship, because of a contact I had in IAAP.
***
In March 1999 my husband was seriously injured in an industrial accident. The IOU Division rallied around me sending cards, making phone calls visiting and offering places for me to stay while he was in Salt Lake City in the hospital. IAAP is what got both of us throught the difficult months of his recovery.
Karen Bingham CPS
Golden Spike Chapter
Brigham City, UT
**********
A couple of years ago I started to work for Basic American Foods as a temp secretary. I have made a lot of friends here, especially after I joined IAAP. They have helped me so much. I had graduated from Ricks College in 1986 and received an Associates Degree, majoring in Office Education. Being a mom of four at the time I started working here my computer skills were not very good. But having friends in IAAP has helped, because they really cared and stood up for me. My confidence is still growing. I also had help from IAAP one Christmas which was deeply appreciated. I love being involved with IAAP and helping on committees. When the time is right I will be able to handle a full time job with confidence and ease.
Lisa Furniss
Twin Buttes Chapter
Blackfoot, ID
**********
My company was looking for a new Corporate pin to award individuals who excel in their positions. A member of another chapter in IAAP had just finished getting a new chapter pin made through a company in Utah. I was able to get the contact information from this member and was then able to get a magnificient pin for my company. Without the information I received from this member, I would have had to contact several companies in the area to bid my project. Thanks to this member, that was not necessary and I saved a lot of time and effort.
Michelle Provence
Golden Spike Chapter
Brigham City, UT
**********
When I joined PSI, I became friends with Cathie Roberts CPS who wokkred at the church I was attending. When a position assisting the director of the Oregon Zoo became available, Cathie asked me to put in a good word for her because this was her ideal job and the Zoo Director was an acquaintance of mine. I called the director and put in a good word for Cathie and she ultimately got the job. Three months later, I was laid off and began my own job search. I went to the beach for the weekend to take stock and decide where I wanted to work and what type of job I wanted. I narrowed it down to a few parameters and when I returned home, there was a fat envelope in the mail. It was from Cathie and contained a job description which almost exactly matched the parameters I had decided I wanted in my next job. She included an application and a cover letter which said "You're perfect for this job - apply for it." I did and have now been happily employed in the marketing department at the Oregon Zoo for over six years. I also have a boss who is very supportive of my involvement in IAAP.
***
When we were about to open the new entrance to the Oregon Zoo, I put together a time capsule to bury at the entrance. Since I had never done this before I had no idea how to pack the container so that everything would be preserved in the best possible way. Fortunately, one of my fellow OTC chapter members works for the Oregon History Center. I called her and explained what I needed to know and she was able to put me in touch with a person at the History Center who prepared rare and valuable items for archival. He told me exactly what to do to ensure the best possible preservation of the items I was packing. Thanks to the help of my chapter friend and her co-worker, I am confident that when the time capsuel is opened in 50 years, the items enclosed will be in nearly the same condition as when I packed them.
Nancy Richey CPS
Oregon Trail Chapter
Portland, OR
**********
I have always recognized the benefits that I have received as a result of my IAAP (PSI) membership. It has helped me tremendously with my interpersonal and leadership skills, but I was especially grateful for my membership and my friendships that I had because of my membership in 1997 when I lost my job.
I had been employed in the same industry for approximately sixteen years. It is extremely difficult to find yourself all of a sudden out in the job market and wondering whether you had enough skills to make you marketable. I had so much support from my PSI friends who not only gave me encouragement but also began the job search right along with me. I had phone calls and e-mails giving me names and contacts for potential job oppotunities. I had one member cutting out newspaper ads and sending them to me. The encouragment was what kept me going. We are constantly reminded that in order to be marketable in the job market we need to stay current on technical changes and refresh our skills. IAAP membership is a very viable tool in accoplishing this task.
Julie McCulloch CPS
Snake River Chapter
Rexburg, ID
**********
Since I work at a college for the department that teaches the courses for administrative professionals, IAAP has been of great benefit in gaining information to help us develop courses and degrees. I have been able to take surveys at Northwest District conference and survey other members for information as well. IAAP has also given me access to other resources such as OfficeTeam and conference speakers and vendors. This information has been extremely helpful in evaluating trends and the profession in general.
Whenever I have asked one of the IAAP members a question, if they don't know the answer of can't help me, they find out who can help and point me in the right direction. I can't tell you the number of times I have been able to find an answer to a question by calling on someone in my IAAP network.
It is gratifying to know that I have a network of people that are doing the same job as me and that I can call on them to help me solve problems and get information that I need.
Vickie Walker CPS
Timp Valley Chapter
Provo, UT
**********
One of the great benefits that I appreciate from my membership in IAAP is the opportunity for networking. There is always someone I can call if I have a question. I very much enjoy our chapter meetings - I always learn something to help me in my work and in my personal life as well. We have had presentations on timely and worthwhile topics and great presenters.
Our chapter newsletter is informative and very professionally done. I appreciated the willingness of our chapter officers to devote the time necessary to keep in running smoothly. It is wonderful to socialize and associate with the members from our chapter and other chapters. I have been able to attend several seminars and meetings for our Idaho-Oregon-Utah Division and the Northwest District, and one (so far) International Convention & Educational Forum.
Norrine Gardiner, Retired
Judical Assistant - Federal Court
Salt Lake City, UT
**********
"My association with IAAP has taken me further than I ever imagined, both in my personal life and my professional life. The self-confidence I've gained through taking leadership roles in IAAP has helped me to develop skills ranging from public speaking, to project management, to strategic planning, to event planning. It's allowed me to reach beyond my comfort zone and be willing to try new things. Not to mention, travel to places I'd never otherwise have visited, meeting people I'd never otherwise have met."
Mary Ann Boles CAP
Wasatch Chapter
Ogden, UT
**********
IAAP has been a godsend to me. As a shy young girl, I entered the working world with very little experience and even less self-confidence. I was very fortunate to find a local chapter that welcomed me and saw potential where I saw none. Chapter members encouraged and mentored me through committee commitments, projects, and ultimately gave me the courage to run for an office and then another and another until I served as their president. IAAP has helped develop my confidence, professional skills, decision making abilities, people skills, and networking potential so I can happily accept even unusual assignments knowing I will enjoy the challenge and come out shining.
It has been an awesome journey. Thank you IAAP!
Betty Hall CPS
Administrative Assistant
Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
Wasatch Chapter
Ogden, UT