There's no time like now to become a member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals!

As Administrative Professional's Day approaches, and I listen to my fellow assistants discuss their how they feel their role is valued in our organization, it occurs to me that we are no different from any other profession. The work is our reward, and our value of that reward is the effect it has on moving our organizations forward, supporting all to meet the daily challenges of constant change as well as the demands of our customers. We engage in it positively, professionally and with resolve. That is what I hope my organisation recognises on April 23rd.

Reward yourself this year. Recognise your talent and commitment. Become a member of the IAAP.

Membership gives you access to an international community of administrative professionals who are passionate about their work and who are willing to share ideas and experience. The web community is an invaluable resource for administrative professionals in any industry.

Now is also the best time to validate your skills by certifying with IAAP.

Check out IAAP's certification page for exam information, resources and schedules. And contact your local IAAP members for questions you may have about why they have chosen to certify their skills, how certification has impacted them professionally and personally, and to get some direction for study help.

You are worth it!

The Barrie Chapter of IAAP challenges you to validate, upgrade and sustain your skillset, while forging supportive professional relationships within your community.

A note from one of our past members.

Fresh out of the Office Admin program at Georgian College, IAAP provided an excellent opportunity to develop my skills and express my enthusiasm. Becoming involved in the Barrie Chapter not only looks good on my résumé but it really has helped my personal growth and leadership.
I have made timeless friendships, a never ending list of supportive colleagues, and I've transitioned to a rewarding career in the Public Service. Thank you IAAP for giving me the competitive edge that has helped me stay sharp and stand out in a crowd!

Rachel L Renaud
Administrative Assistant
Department of National Defense
Government of Canada

Hope to see you at our next meeting!

A tribute to our dear friend Gwendolyn Marion Laird

In memory of Gwendolyn Marion LairdAugust 29, 1930 - August 14, 2013
THE DASH by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone, from the beginning ... to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars ... the house ... the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend that dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read, with your life's actions to rehash ... would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent YOUR dash?

"Gwennie lived her dash to the fullest"

Getting More Done in Less Time: It’s as Easy As Changing Your Mindset (Jill Farmer, Sunday Keynote at EFAM 2013)

Submitted by Emily Allen on Mon, 07/29/2013 - 11:47

There area new ways to change your thinking to get more done in less time without being exhausted, depleted and overwhelmed. You can be a stellar employee and still go home and be cheerful in your non-work environment. You can experience more meaning and impact in this amazing life.

When we think the thought there’s not enough time, we trigger a fight or flight response. It’s a gift to warn us when we’re in danger. It allows us to react without thinking, which is great when you’re in actual danger.

However, research shows that many of us spend 80 percent of our time in fight or flight. We’re not in danger but we’re reacting without thinking. Anytime we think a thought that we don’t have enough, or that we’re under attack (think of work) the response is the same: fight or flight. We are in stress-mode all day. Which causes us to lose focus, problem solve and collaborate and be creating. All we do is problem solving. Those thoughts take us in the opposite direction from where we want to go.

Three simple steps:

1. Notice the trigger thoughts and pause. Just pause. Stop. Yes, stop. It will clear your head and focus your thoughts.

2. Replace your thoughts. Instead of entertaining the thoughts of “there’s never enough time” with thoughts that will serve you. Start to think, “there is enough time.” By thinking this you’re calmer, clear, peaceful and less stressed. Your focus is better. You treat the people around you better.

3. Make a language shift. What do you “have” to do today, not what you should do. What you have to do today is breathe, drink some water, eat (though we could survive without food for a while). You may be thinking “But if I don’t do I need to do today, I lose my house, job… “ Even so, that’s still a choice. Brain research shows us that every time we tell ourselves we have to do something, we have that fight or flight response. Shift it to “choose” then you take yourself out of the automatic reaction stages. Change the words at the top of your to-do list. Write instead: “Get to do.” Change your language to one of gratitude. You don’t “have” to go to the store, you “get” two go to a store that has an abundance of goods in a peaceful environment without bombs firing off. You have money to buy the good at the store. Change your thoughts and it changes your action.

Practice the Three Bs on Commitments in Your Life

• Bag it. Am I doing this because I think someone wants it done? Then don’t do it. Throw it in a bag. Still ironing the sheets because your hubby likes it but you hate it? Bag it.
• Barter it. Are you the only human being that can do this task that you don’t want to do but feel you must do? We say, “Yes, I’m the only one that can do this” but are we saying we’re the only ones that can do it right. There’s a vista of possibilities before us. Trade jobs with someone. You might both get a good deal.
• Better it. Things we can’t bag or barter, such as going to the dentist, we can “better” by changing our thinking or the events that surround the distasteful task. Do something that loosens the negative energy that surrounds the event. Something that takes you out of the dread energy into something better.

What about big projects that are looming? Big projects are 300-pound boulders. We heft the boulder on our shoulders and carry it from point A to point B. That is the mindset most of us begin with when we are facing a big project.  How to we get away from feeling it’s so hard?

Instead of thinking of hefting it, lean against it and roll it. When you roll things, you’re getting momentum. Most of us make the mistake making the first three to four steps of any big project HUGE. We say: “I’ll get to that when I have four hours to dedicate to it.” So we put it off until the stress builds because the “chunk of time” theory says it has to be “big and hard” to count.

Not true.

Break the first three or four steps down into small steps. Jill calls the turtle steps. They are ridiculously easy.

Find out more about Jill on her website at www.jillfarmercoaching.com.

• TIME MANAGEMENT

• Emily Allen's blog

2013-2014 Meeting Program and Schedule

YOU TOLD US WHAT YOU WANTED AND WE LISTENED!

September 9, 2013
Innovative Office Supplies by Staples

October 7, 2013
Microsoft One Note
Marie Rutherford, Professor, Georgian College

November 4, 2013
Mental Health Awareness

December 2, 2013
Seniors Wish
Barb Richards

January 6, 2014
Proofreading & Editing
Jacqueline Hingley, Professor, Georgian College

February 3, 2014
Heart & Health
Dietician TBA

March 3, 2014
Event Planning

April 7, 2014
Green Office
Grand & Toy

May 5, 2014
Records Management & Confidentiality
Bridgette Quesnelle, Certified Health Information Manager, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care

June 2, 2014
Microsoft Office Enhancements
Marie Rutherford, Professor, Georgian College


Please note that speakers and topics are subject to change. Be sure to check our blogspot or contact our chapter for updates.


If you're looking for something to enhance your current Administrative career, provide a chance for personal development, education, networking, leadership, and community building in a supportive and social environment, we would love for you to come out to a meeting. We hope to see you there!

IAAP 2010 APW Event

Annual APW Event hosted by the Barrie & District Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

Barrie & District Chapter of IAAP® invites you to celebrate your special day a little early this year with other office professionals by enjoying a fabulous dinner (provided by Executive Caterers) and an evening of laughs and entertainment provided by Rosita Hall.

We will have table gifts, door crasher prizes, vendors, a chance to win the 50/50 draw, and Silent Auction items to bid on!

When: Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
5:30 - 9:00 P.M.
Where: Fendley's Banquet Hall, 565 Bryne Drive, Barrie, ON L4N 9Y3
Cost: Registration is only $40 for this fabulous event!!

About the Speaker:

Rosita Hall presents

“All Aboard the Change Train”
Moving Admins from the Fuss Bus to the Change Train – Dealing with the Realities of Change in the 21st Century Workplace

For more information, or for a Registration Package, please contact Jennifer at iaap.barrie@gmail.com and include APW Event in the subject line.

Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities are also available, so please contact for an information package.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 15TH, 2010