November 2011 Newsletter

December 5, 2011
Volume 8, Issue 6
The Administrator
Monthly newsletter of the Alabama Power Chapter
President’s Message
Inside this issue
Recap of Seminar with photos ....
2
Upcoming Events........................
3
CATS Project..............................
4
Certification Designation changes 4
Conference Experience ...............
5
Membership ..............................
6
Birthdays & Schedule of Events .
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November is a welcomed reminder for us to be thankful for all our many blessings. The
liberty to worship, work, and live in this wonderful free country are the ones I love to count
over and over again! The opportunity to serve with giving and caring members is one of my
"Top 10!" This year's officers, committee chairs, and members serve our chapter and others
so continuously making each meeting and effort count! Our November "CATS" Project,
decorating a Children's Hospital Illuminations Event (aka Festival of Trees) Christmas tree,
was another success story--raising $1,750 for the new Organ Donor Facility. Also, toiletry
items were collected for our Pathways ladies residing in the downtown facility, thanks to our
donating members!
I can't say enough about our excellent fundraising committee—the Honeybaked Ham
and Pecan Sales were fantastically successful! There are going to be some very grateful
college students in April when we provide much needed scholarships! Don't you all just love
the "giving" parts of our chapter's activities? And, it is all because of the caring part of each
of you!
Our Seminar Committee created a successful and enjoyable
day with Allison Blankenship's presentations that "zigged
and zagged us through improving our administrative skills
without chipping our nails!‖ You will really want to read
her two books on these subjects! Several members have
already made effective changes in their office routines--and
home routines--to make their use of time really count! Isn't
that what we all want from these seminars--to develop ways
we can be the best we possibly can?
Speaking of being the best--don't forget our upcoming
December meeting with Roxanne from WDJC Radio. Not one present at our July meeting
can forget her dynamic and inspirational message. She has mentioned several times (over the
air) how excited she is about returning to be with us! I hope November brought even more
blessings than last year for you to be thankful--and that December is a joyful one for you too!
Prissy Daly, CAP-OM
President
December 15 is our Annual Holiday Pot Luck Luncheon
CONTESTS—―Tablescapes by You‖ will be done by the members at each table
Pot Luck Contest—Salad or Dessert—judging optional.
Awards to winners in each category
Bring recipe cards of your dish for a recipe swap if you like .
There will also be door prizes and fun
Meat and drinks will be provided by the Chapter.
See you there with bells on!
I Should Have Zigged When Life Zagged
Among the outside world, November is known as the month for being thankful. Within the Alabama Power Chapter of
IAAP, November is known for hosting an extraordinary seminar with outstanding speakers. November 17, 2011 proved this
to be true once again. Allison Blankenship, President of Precision Speaking, Inc. and creator of the Precision Speaking
System™, shared personal experiences
that led her to co-author four
books, one of which (Upside: How to Zig
When Life Zags!) was presented
to each seminar attendee. In the morning
session, Allison taught new tools
to utilize when life “Zags” and maybe we
just weren’t ready for it. Through
interactive sessions, we learned a lot
about ourselves and each other.
Allison did a great job of keeping our
focus on the information
presented through illustrations and
humor. In the afternoon session,
we discovered how to make room in our
lives for “surprises” and how to
rid ourselves of the “disease to please” as
so many administrative
professionals are prone to do. Allison
also shared the technique of
developing a network of friends or
mentors that will brainstorm with
you to help you stay focused on your
goals, whether they are
professional or personal. She offered to
return to one of our monthly
meetings to share more details about this
technique. Whether you are
talking with Allison on a personal level or you are listening to her present, both are equally fun. It is evident that her
passion is to help others succeed in life, no matter the end goal. We look forward to the possibility of her returning again.
In closing, I am thankful for wonderful family, good friends, and being a member of a great organization that provides me
opportunities for continued growth!
Patsy A. Brasher, CAP-OM
First Vice-President and Program Chair
A few photos from our November 2011 Seminar
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On January 19, 2012 we will be kicking our ―New Year‖ into ―High Gear‖ with
Deborah Boswell, President of Professional Speech Services of Alabama, P.C.
and managing partner of Childs Play Therapy Center. She will be presenting
―Professionalism and Credibility—You are the Message!” Join us to learn
more about how you can manage a more effective professional image.
What’s in it for Me?
Whether you're an administrative assistant, clerk, executive secretary, executive assistant,
legal assistant, office manager or administrative professional, consider us to be your
"pathway to success."
The International Association of Administrative Professionals® is a membership
association that helps you have a rewarding and successful work life. By association with
us, you'll have access to a host of benefits to aid in your professional development and
career advancement.
To introduce and explain all the benefits of membership, International Association of
Administrative Professionals® Headquarters will offer a free informational webinar
on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. CST.
Registration instructions: Register to view the webcast at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/555013560
The deadline to register is Friday, December 2, 2011.
To join, or receive more information about the Alabama Power Chapter of the
International Association of Administrative Professionals, visit our website, or contact the
membership secretary, Antoinette Woodard, CAP-OM at 205-992-5723.
Thank you.
Membership Committee, Alabama Power Chapter – IAAP
Follow the Alabama Power Chapter – IAAP on YAMMER for the latest updates, meetings and tips!
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Congratulations PRISSY DALY and CINDY
DE’ARMAN for a job WELL DONE!
These pictures are from the ―CATS‖
Themed tree they decorated and entered
into the Illuminations event at the
Children’s Hospital.
The tree was
purchased by America’s First Federal
Credit Union for $1750! The proceeds
will help benefit the organ transplant
division of Children’s Hospital.
Thanks Prissy and Cindy for such a
BEAUTIFUL and CREATIVE tree!
Your hard work paid off.
If my certification title was CPS/CAP, what is it now?
Effective November 2011 IAAP moved from a two
rating system to one.
The one rating is Certified Administrative Professional
or CAP.
All CPS ratings will be changed to CAP
All CPS/CAP ratings will be changed to CAP-OM
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My Trip to the Administrative Professionals Conference
at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee
This was the best conference! Everything was in order from the moment you arrived. The Gaylord suffered
damage from flooding. However, what was impossible to see was that it was almost destroyed. This was like
no other conference. The registration was well organized, so we didn’t have a long wait. Each participant
received a bag with (your choice of color) which contained snacks and a feminine care kit. The care kit
contained mascara, lipstick, Olay facial cleansing cloths and other items. The kit was a blessing for me since I
was trying to find a ride to the store to buy mascara. However, just before I got ready to leave, I opened
the box and there was my exact brand of mascara. Another nice feature was our name badge lanyard was also
a jump drive with Conference information--how cool is that!
The training sessions were outstanding, and the instructors were very engaging and knowledgeable.
There were exceptional Master Classes and Tracks. Most of the classes I attended were in preparation of
taking the CAP-OM exam. And, true enough I could remember some of the things that were said in class
(proof reading, editing, human resources & management) which helped me on the exam. Also, I learned the
secrets to understanding and managing your supervisor, and how to build a great working relationship. The
networking opportunities were enforced by participation. There was an ongoing Bingo and crossword game
that had to be completed in order to win fabulous prizes that were given away at each break. You had to find
someone who did some of the items that were listed on the paper and get them to sign your paper (like
someone who has been skydiving or have a Facebook page or likes sports or participated in a Marathon.)
There was no way you couldn’t make new friends. I had the opportunity to meet and visit with some amazing
women from all over the country who I am now blessed to call ―friends.‖ We are planning a trip to visit the
Virgin Islands, which is where one of the ladies that I met lives. It was also fun networking with the vendors.
You had to match the slogan to the vendor and get them to scan your barcode for fabulous prizes. I won a
$100 gift card from SAMSILL Binders, and I received it in the mail just a few days ago.
Nothing was short of excellent throughout the entire conference. Beginning with our fabulous
accommodations for lodging and meeting space to our energetic emcee, Sandy Geroux, as well as the
outstanding Keynote speakers—it was perfect! All were full of insight, humility, integrity, and HUMOR--I
have never laughed so hard endlessly at speakers. I wanted to invite most of them to Birmingham, so that my
IAAP Alabama Power Chapter Members could experience the joy and knowledge that I received. Oh and let’s
not forget about the fabulous food. At every break we had different types of food and snacks, all healthy of
course. It was all amazing, but by the time I left I didn’t want to see food. Then there was a gala at the Wild
Horse Saloon. Imagine me, first at a Saloon and then with cowboy boots and a cowgirl hat. It was amazing-again food, food, and more food with
a live band and good ole country line
dancing. This conference offers more
than just tools to put in our toolbox.
It’s also a place to connect with likeminded professionals in our field to
share experiences, mentor one
another, have loads of fun, and share
a common bond.
I think all
administrative professionals should
experience the Administrative
Professional Conference--at least
once in your developing career. Next
year it will be at the Swan & Dolphin
Resort-Walt Disney World, Orlando
So, Sign Up Now!
Florida. www.apcevent.com--
Tiffany Escott,
Second Vice President
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Sherry Gilbreath
Her newfound hobby is
traveling. She also loves to
spend time with family and
friends.
A new Membership Directory is still in
the works. If you would like a new picture taken at a future meeting, please
contact Felisa Lawrence, Antoinette
Woodard or Tabetha Lemonds. Also,
please be on the lookout for an email,
requesting updated information for the
new Directory.
Sherry has been with Southern
Company three years.
Associate Name Badges that have not
Southern Company Generation
Senior Secretary
Sherry is recently remarried and
now has seven children.
been picked up at a meeting will be
mailed—please be on the lookout for
them.
Our Chapter has a total of 131 members:
121 Professional
9 Associate
1 Student
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Alabama Power Chapter IAAP
2011-2012 Program Schedule
December 15 Holiday Luncheon—Business Meeting
Kim Chaney
Patricia Johnson, CAP
Darlene Sanders, CAP-OM
Pam Garner
Lisa Spears
Laura Fayet
Sandra Tooson
Wanda Kincaid, CAP-OM/ALS
Sandra McCain
Heather Wesson
Deletha Ann Miller
Joanna Lawler, CAP
Karon Keith, CAP-OM
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6
7
9
9
10
12
15
19
19
24
23
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Monthly meetings are held the third
Thursday of each month in the
Alabama Power Company
Auditorium from 11:30-1:00
January 19
Professionalism and Credibility: “You
are the Message!” Deborah Boswell,
Founder and President
Professional Speech Services of Alabama, P.C.
February 16
Organization Skills
March 15
Administrative Professional of the Year Event
April 19
April 25
2012-2013 Officer Nominations/Business Meeting
Administrative Professionals Week Luncheon
May 17
Annual Vendor Extravaganza-Hotels/Caterers/Products
June 21
Installation of 2012-2013 Officers
If you submit an article of 200 words or more to be published in the newsletter,
you may earn a point towards becoming a Member of Excellence (MOE)!
Get a jump start on this award by submitting your article today.
Deadline to submit articles, points of interest, tips, comments, websites, quotes,
etc.: is December 22, 2011
Submit information to:
Debra Billingsley, CAP-OM, Third Vice-president (dvbillin@southernco.com)
and Nicole Ledwon, CAP-OM (nledwon@uab.edu)
Alabama Power Chapter Board of Directors
President
President-elect
First Vice President
Second Vice President
Third Vice President
Administrative Secretary
Membership Secretary
Treasurer
Immediate Past President
Prissy Daly, CAP-OM
Wanda Kincaid, CAP-OM
Patsy Brasher, CAP-OM
Tiffany Escott
Debra Billingsley, CAP-OM
Amy Stephens
Antoinette Woodard, CAP-OM
Lynnell Frazier
Gina Chesser, CAP-OM
President 2004-05
President 2005-06
President 2006-07
President 2007-08
President 2008-09
President 2009-10
Executive Sponsor 2011-12
Gina Wood, CAP-OM
Kathy Wilkey, CAP-OM
Prissy Daly, CAP-OM
Dianne Hargrove, CAP
Janice Conniff, CAP-OM
Liz McGill, CAP
Charley Long
205/257-5702
205/257-7552
205/257-4657
205/257-1805
205/257-4571
205/257-5866
205/992-5723
205/257-3671
205/226-1091
pkdaly@southernco.com
wnkincai@southernco.com
pbrasher@southernco.com
tmescott@southernco.com
dvbillin@southernco.com
amysteph@southernco.com
amwoodar@southernco.com
lwfrazie@southernco.com
gchesser@southernco.com
Advisory Directors (Past Presidents)/Executive Sponsor
205/328-3098
205/257-5733
205/257-5702
205/257-5133
205/594-7300
205/257-2911
205/257-5386
ginawood@windstream.net
kcwilkey@southernco.com
pkdaly@southernco.com
dshargro@southernco.com
jconniff@southernco.com
emcgill@southernco.com
cdlong@southernco.com
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