DIRECTOR DIALOGUES | BARRETT SHAW | SEPTEMBER 2020

If you saw the recent IAAP Newsletter, you had a chance to review all of the different ways you can get and stay engaged as a member of this association. Getting involved strengthens the community and links us together in immeasurable ways. I’ve talked about my IAAP leadership journey many times because the value that I continue to receive from my involvement has had a profound effect on my personal and professional growth.

Reading that newsletter took me back to when I first joined IAAP in 2008. I found myself wondering, if I had read that newsletter at that time, would I have jumped on any of those opportunities? I’m not sure I would have. That wasn’t the kind of person I was at the time. Although the desire was there, the confidence and motivation didn’t necessarily match. The way I initially got involved was quite accidentally. I was invited to a meeting within my company, led by some fellow admins who were starting a corporate chapter. I knew nothing about IAAP, but I felt a sense of energy and excitement in that meeting and I wanted to be involved. By the end of that meeting, I had been appointed as the Interim Vice President for my chapter.

What was significant about that? Somebody else believed in and encouraged me. I didn’t take time to think about why I could or couldn’t do it – I just said ‘yes’. That simple action set everything in motion. Did I know what I was doing? Absolutely not. I took it upon myself to learn from my early mentors, learned everything I could about the association and did the best job I could as our chapter Vice President. The connection I felt to the community and within our chapter was strong. That encouraged me to continue on a leadership path. I wanted to continue to be an active part of the community, because having that camaraderie and support fueled me in a very positive way. That’s what I had been missing in my career up to that point. That is the cornerstone of what makes our association so special.

During these challenging times, our community is more important than ever. I am grateful every day for the connections and friendships. We all have something to offer and can learn from one another. If you want to be involved, but haven’t taken that step or are unsure where you would best fit, consider completing the Willingness to Serve. You can also talk to your local Branch or Region Director (or me!) about how you could get involved. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is quiet the voices and simply say ‘yes’. I did back in 2008 and it profoundly changed my life.

 Stay safe! Stay strong! Stay positive! We’re all in this together.
 

IAAP Welcomes 2020-2021 Board Chair, Phiandra Peck, CAP

 

Phiandra Peck, CAP

Trial by Fire: An Interview with Phiandra Peck, CAP

From her very first days as an admin to leading the association in the midst of a global pandemic, 2020-2021 IAAP Board Chair Phiandra Peck hasn’t had it easy.  But she’s the right leader for the job.  “IAAP feeds my hunger for learning and my need to connect with others like me.”

To read the rest of John Naatz’s article from the September issue of Office Pro, click the here. 

 

Watch Phiandra’s incoming Chair’s speech, learn more about her journey, her passion and commitment for our profession and her vision for this year.   

Virtual Summit 2020 - Week 1

Last week IAAP made history when we kicked off our first EVER Virtual Summit!   

DAY 1 | July 16th

General Session and the Parade of Nations!  

The Parade of Nations always gives me goosebumps and this year was no exception.  The tribute to our First Responders during the Canadian and US National Anthems had many of us in tears!  

Foundation Recognition | 2019-2020 IAAP Chair Address

Next we heard from 2019-20 IAAP Foundation Chair, Stacey Brewer, CAP and 2019-20 IAAP Chair, Juanita Mort, CAP.  Click on the videos below to view. 

Opening Keynote:  Building Collective Wisdom | Meghann Henry
Did you upload your creation using #IAAPSummit2020?  If not, it's not too late!

Education Sessions: Which session(s) did you join?  
Know Your Value  -  Power Tools for Coaching in the Moment - The Virtualization Age - Optimize Your Personal Brand

Day 1 ended with our First Time Attendee Meet & Greet 

DAY 2 | July 17th

Day 2 started with Yoga

Connect & Learn Sessions: 

Are a fantastic way to meet fellow attendees and discuss solutions and best practices around a particular topic. You can share in a small breakout roundtable discussion, learn and ask questions in a peer panel, or learn tips from various perspectives in an Ed Talk.  Which session(s) did you join? 

Community Forum & Leader Chat 

IAAP CEO, Veronica Cochran and your IAAP Board of Directors provided updates on the work we've done this year and that we will be starting in the future.  The session ended with the group responding to member questions.   Click on the videos below to view. 

Live Concert - Retro Nuveau 

If you were in Austin two years ago, you are familiar with this band  -  they played at our opening celebration.  They were AWESOME!!!!   

Escape Rooms - 

Many members signed up to participate in virtual Escape Rooms!   Let us know how you did!  

Looking forward to Summit Weeks 2 & 3 - see you in Zoom!

DIRECTOR DIALOGUES | DIERDRE CROWL | JUNE 2020

2020 is manifesting as the year of the battle; some opponents invisible, like Covid-19, some visible, like murder hornets and cicadas, and even a combination of visible and invisible – hatred. Many hoped that being quarantined would make the human race more kind, patient, and empathetic. Instead, “social” distancing has exacerbated the real social distancing inherent with racism that has been the elephant in the room for decades. Those of us in IAAP thrive on the connection we have within our community. But how do we make sure that feeling of connectedness is the same for every individual that joins us?

Reading articles by thought leaders in the last few days as our cities have exploded with anger, it has made me reflect on the journey to inclusion and diversity we have begun in IAAP. We started by making this an aspirational value, and then took an in-depth look at our association and how we need to start this conversation. It’s not a comfortable one, because we all come to the table with unconscious biases that are hardwired into us from our background that often don’t even recognize. We see ourselves as compassionate, especially in our roles as administrative professionals, so assume that we understand what others feel and need. This assumption, however, becomes another blind spot that holds us back from truly open dialogue designed to learn, comprehend, accept, and love.

How do we overcome unconscious biases and blind spots to move forward and experience real inclusivity? Curiosity and humility are both good places to start. We will have opportunities during and after VSummit to start the internal conversations necessary to break down our own personal roadblocks. That’s the humility part. Be vulnerable and open up to the process so you understand what’s holding you back. Then, be curious. IAAP members are spectacular continual learners, and there is no richer reward than to grow from learning about the person next to you. Ask others about their story, and listen generously when they respond. Internalize what they say and let it enrich you. Read articles, ask questions. Don’t make assumptions about one person based on another’s story, culture, or race – ask everyone.

The path to inclusivity and diversity is not a day trip, it is a cross-country journey. Getting vulnerable and asking questions with a child’s curiosity isn’t easy, and learning takes time. But imagine how amazing the IAAP community will be when every person can feel true acceptance and love within. Further, imagine how much better all of our communities could be as a result of having that level of understanding and compassion. Isn’t that worth working hard for?