Administrative Professionals Week®

April 19-25, 2009

Administrative Professionals Day®

Join Minisa Chapter at our Education Seminar next April for our 2009 APW Event

2009 Administrative Professionals Week Theme: EXCELLENCE IN ACTION

The "Excellence in Action" theme denotes how career-minded administrative professionals are positioning themselves for success in today's ever-changing business environment by mastering advanced office technology, continually honing their communication skills, forging collaborative relationships with managers and coworkers, and taking charge of their own career development

Proclamation! Proclamation! Proclamation!

On April 15 Minisa Chapter received a proclamation from Wichita mayor, Carl Brewer, declaring April 21-25, 2008 Administrative Professionals Week.

Event History and Objectives

This annual event was originally organized in 1952 as "National Secretaries Week" by the National Secretaries Association (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals) in conjunction with public relations executive Harry Klemfuss and a consortium of office product manufacturers. It was established as an effort to recognize secretaries for their contributions in the workplace, and to attract people to secretarial/administrative careers. In the year 2000, IAAP announced a name change for Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day. The names were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce.

Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for community events, educational seminars, and individual corporate activities recognizing support staff with gifts of appreciation. IAAP suggests that employers observe Administrative Professionals Week by providing training for their administrative staff through seminars, continuing education or self-study materials. Another suggestion is to make a commitment toward delegating responsibilities that better utilize the skills of administrative professionals.

Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. More than 475,000 administrative professionals are employed in Canada. Millions more administrative professionals work in offices all over the world.

Recommendations to Managers for Celebrating Administrative Professionals Week

If you’re an employer or supervisor, chances are you’ve wondered how best to observe Administrative Professionals Week.

Most administrative support staff prefer observances that recognize their professional role or provide opportunities for professional learning and growth, according to the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

IAAP suggests that employers consider these ideas for observances:

• Hold a company-wide observance or special event for administrative staff, such as a presentation by a professional development speaker, or a group recognition of administrative professionals by the chief executive.
• Provide registration for a professional development seminar to build the individual’s technical, interpersonal or business skills.
• Support membership in appropriate networking and professional associations.
• Encourage study for and attainment of professional certification.
• Additional gift suggestions include appropriate business-related items such as personalized business cards, a desktop nameplate, a gift certificate, ergonomically correct desk accessories or equipment, computer hardware/software upgrade, or a monetary bonus for exemplary performance.

IAAP also suggests that it’s always wise for employers, managers, supervisors or executives to ask their administrative staff how they would prefer to observe Administrative Professionals Week.

APW