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goldenearring
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Joleen, in answer to your question, my dislike of the IAAP organization (and my inability to keep my mouth shut whenever the topic comes up) stems from my opinion that at the meetings I went to, we really didn't need them (IAAP). They didn't provide one thing except their name to our meetings; they added no value except to promote their CPS exams, Prentice-Hall products, and (in my opinion) bo-ring organization. (Why should a busy working mom spend soooooooo much time as Treasurer keeping track of the IAAP chapter's money when she could be learning far more and building confidence by assisting in keeping track of her own company's money? It seems like a misplaced priority to me.) And why give heart and soul to be a president this organization when it seems one would be able to reach and impact more people on a one-to-one or small group basis where there is not so much "business" to deal with? It just doesn't make any sense to me. I got far more out of networking with the women before and after dinner than I ever did out of any meeting content. They're the ones with all the resources and expertise, not IAAP.
The entire program I attended (year-round) was put together and carried out by the members, with no help from IAAP at all. In addition, I felt greatly used by one of their co-sponsors in the administrative recruiting business who sucked all of the information she could get out of me, and that was pretty much all she wanted: how could I help her business and how could I help IAAP make more money and get more members. As soon as I had given her what she wanted, that was the end of the meeting, with not even a casual inquiry as to what could they do to help me or the members of my chapter. (For the record, it was NOT Nan DeMars, who is a gracious and caring lady in my book.) It was at that moment in time that the Big Lightbulb in the Sky went on over my head! We are grown women, and we don't need what I consider to be a dinosaur of an organization lending nothing but its name to any meetings. All that is lacking in 90%+ of the people (mostly women) who belong to this organization is the self-confidence and willingness to do a little extra work to take their own ball over to their own court, and take it on home.
I don't understand why anyone who truly wanted to promote themselves in the admin field or the business world would limit themselves to obtaining a CPS rating. Why not go the distance and get the 4-year degree which has proven over time to be more valuable to advancement. Of course, there are exceptions to this; there are exceptions to everything in this world. I'm not saying that the CPS rating is a bad thing to do. It's always good to aspire to improve oneself; however, the CPS rating is not the "be all and end all" which I feel it is promoted as. And, it is the prerogative of each person to start and stop their education, as they see fit. I'm not judging the motivations of people; I'm questioning the value of the CPS rating.
I'm considering with someone up here the idea of putting together lunchtime groups that will meet once a month, and we can talk about topics relevant to us without taking over half the time to handle business that nobody really seems to care about. Most of us are too busy to go to the IAAP meetings, anyway. We can meet for free, eat a lunch that costs a whole lot less than a dinner, we don't even have to pay to belong to it! Of course, this will not eliminate the IAAP organization; there are countless hundreds, maybe thousands who I believe would give their left breast for the future of the organization, in my opinion. I just think they're not seeing a bigger, better picture that's possible. And, you know, that's just fine - - for *them* - - but not for me.
My idea of a great retirement is not to end up in the Adobe Village (that video scared the cr*p out of me! Yet, I realize for some people it is probably a great blessing / different folks, different strokes) after 30+ years of servitude in a field where I'm not expected to think, speak, or act of my own accord, as if I actually have something to give. I have plenty to give, and I am blessed to have found an organization where I am able to put my best skills and abilities on display, develop them and work on improving the rest of me. I believe that the majority of people who care enough to post here at this site have a lot to give, too.
As God in heaven is my witness, we all need to aspire to a far greater end result than the adobe village!!! There is so much more available to us than is offered by large organizations. It's time for a bigger vision; administrative professionals (and women in general) deserve more than IAAP seems willing (or able) to give. I'll still probably buy an occasional book or two from their bookstore, though. So, they're not entirely without merit. (They provide educational resources, but THEY don't educate me; other people in this field do.) Hope that answers your question. Others will not agree with me; heck, just the sight of "GE" posting on IAAP angers some. It fuels me to know that I offer up things that inspire others to post what is on their hearts and minds! There are other opinions, and I respect those. I just don't agree with a lot of them. Running to bed, like Mercury with a torch in hand, GE
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