IAAP® CHARTERS FIRST VIRTUAL CHAPTER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 30, 2008 --

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) entered new territory last month, chartering its very first virtual chapter. Officers for the year beginning June 1, 2008 were also installed at the chartering meeting last month. Najah Masudi CPS, New Jersey-based senior administrative assistant has been elected president; Lorri Morin, owner of Missoula, Montana-based Virtual Synergy LLC as vice president; Joanne O’Connell, owner of Houston, Texas-based Executive Business Cents as Treasurer; and Peggy Peterson CPS, owner of Lakewood, Colorado-based Quality Imaging LLC as secretary.

The Cutting Edge Chapter is the brainchild of Kyle Sheldon-Chandler, President of IAAP’s Colorado-Wyoming-Montana Division and owner of KSC Virtual Assistant Services in Grand Junction, Colorado. While attempts have been made previously to form a virtual chapter, none have been successful in reaching the chartering stage until now. Sheldon-Chandler says “As both a virtual assistant and an IAAP member, I am excited about the Cutting Edge Chapter and its members who will provide an environment for professional growth and networking to visionary IAAP members. I believe that virtual chapters are the future for many administrative professionals.”

For some administrative professionals, busy schedules make it difficult to participate in traditional face-to-face meetings; for others lack of a local chapter has been an issue in the past. The Cutting Edge chapter includes as its members both traditional administrative professionals as well as virtual assistants, and members are spread across the country. Meetings are held via teleconference or webinar and the time commitment to attend is reduced, since there is no commute involved, which makes it easier for people to participate. “We will be offered monthly meetings; educational teleseminars with many great speakers; networking opportunities with both virtual plus brick and mortar members; friendships and mentoring in areas that will certainly impact and enhance each and every member’s personal and business growth,” says O’Connell. Peterson, a long time IAAP member adds “Now that I have my own virtual assistant business, it is more important than ever to take advantage of the benefits that a virtual chapter in a professional organization like IAAP provides for continuing education, enhancing leadership skills, networking, and continuing to grow personally and professionally.”

As the officers are currently learning, there are unique challenges to holding meetings virtually. This chapter truly is “cutting edge” and is having to define new ways of operating, such as how to conduct voting, approve minutes, and handle chapter banking with a board that is scattered across the United States. However, this is an increasingly virtual world we live in and, with creativity and flexibility, this new chapter is expected to thrive and grow rapidly.

IAAP is the world’s leading association for administrative professionals, providing career information, education, networking opportunities, and certification programs. To learn more about IAAP visit www.iaap-hq.org. The Cutting Edge Chapter holds monthly educational and professional development meetings via teleconference and webinar. For information on membership in the Cutting Edge chapter, contact Darlene Bruce at bruced23@yahoo.com or Najah Masudi at yhwhsgood@hotmail.com.

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