Quick Facts about Membership

Membership Benefits

Membership in IAAP provides outstanding benefits and services to meet your professional and personal needs. Take a look at the benefits you will gain as a professional member of the premier organization for administrative professionals.

Take a look at just some of the benefits joining International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) has to offer you at all levels. I'm sure you'll be just as excited about joining as I am.

• To have a voice in determining goals and activities of the chapter and at all levels of IAAP.
• The opportunities for education, personal development, and leadership.
• To exchange ideas and keep up-to-date on changes in the profession.
• To receive full value for your membership dues.
• To benefit from and enjoy being a member of this Association.

Here's what you'll gain by becoming an Member of IAAP...

Get Connected

IAAP offers exceptional networking and professional development activities through its 600+ chapters and affiliate associations worldwide. You'll connect with peers from virtually every type of business or service, small office or large corporation, GenX'ers to seasoned professionals, in almost any geographic area. You'll have many opportunities to develop close-knit relationships with colleagues who can help to answer questions and find solutions to problems you face on the job. In addition, there are also numerous opportunities to sharpen your skills in event planning, public speaking, leadership, teamwork, and organizational development.

Keep Up With the Latest Trends

IAAP’s award-winning OfficePRO^® magazine, published eight times per year, contains cutting-edge information on trends in office administration, new technology, and career development. OfficePRO^® keeps readers informed and up-to-date on a wide variety of workplace issues and shows you how to do things better, faster, and cheaper. With membership in IAAP, you also receive IAAP Bits and Bytes newsletter three times per year, a publication that focuses on current events in the association, upcoming conferences and events, research findings, media coverage, and member activities. In addition, IAAP members gain access to all areas of the IAAP Web site - www.iaap-hq.org.

Enhance Your Knowledge and Skills

IAAP’s Headquarters offers member-discounts on over 250 books, tapes, and other self-study materials. Use these resources to further your personal and professional development and qualify for the CEU (Continuing Education Unit) and recertification points.

Obtain Professional Certification

Become certified in your chosen profession and be recognized as a top-level office administrator. IAAP’s certification program is the most widely recognized standard of excellence in the world. IAAP members receive special discounts on certification study materials and resources. For more information about professional certification through IAAP, visit the certification section of the IAAP Web site, www.iaap-hq.org.

Take Advantage of Value-Added Services

Save money the next time you plan to travel, purchase items on credit, coordinate a conference call, and more. Use IAAP’s affinity group providers and save you and/or your company time and money.

Attend Seminars, Conferences, and Special Events

The IAAP International Convention and Education Forum, held in a different city each year, is the association's largest training and networking event. There are also many other education and networking events, including annual district conferences, division meetings, and local chapter meetings.

IAAP’s annual conferences and seminars are your ticket to excellence. The International Convention and Education Forum, held in a different city each summer, offers a wide array of educational workshops and international networking. In the spring, IAAP’s Professional Education Conference (PEC) offers outstanding presenters and information you can take back to use on the job. For certified professionals and candidates, the CPS Seminar is held annually in June or July and is one more excellent opportunity to expand your skills and know-how. IAAP chapters and divisions also hold regular educational events at various times during the year.

Education

International Association of Administrative Professionals and its widespread network of local chapters hold a variety of seminars, workshops and conferences featuring top speakers. IAAP's largest training event is its international convention held every July. In addition, the headquarters office offers more than 250 complete books, audiocassettes and videotapes on all aspects of the office administration. IAAP's Complete Office Handbook, published by Random House, is considered the most complete reference guide for the modern office.

Office Pro Magazine

This highly respected publication contains a wealth of "how-to" information about succeeding in the modern office. Office Pro^® is distributed nine times each year to a total circulation of over 45,000.

IAAP Bits & Bytes Newsletter

Available to all embers periodically online at www.iaap-hq.org in the "Members' Place" section, IAAP Bits & Bytes, will update you on current events in the association. Be sure to read about upcoming conferences, publications, research, and other activities from IAAP members. For information and/or article submissions, call the IAAP Headquarters Communications Department at 816.891.6600, x239.

Education and Professional Development

Targeted for office staff, materials are available for group and self-study development. Many IAAP resources qualify for the CEU (Continuing Education Unit) and count for CPS recertification points. Also offered are Professional Development Conferences, which for your convenience are scheduled in two different cities on each U.S. coast. For information on receiving discounts on resource materials or the conference, call the IAAP Headquarters Education and Professional Development Department at 816.891.6600, x237 or 245.

Certification Program

A means of certifying the skills of top administrative professionals through a comprehensive examination program. Candidates must also satisfy education and experience requirements. The attainment of the Certified Professional Secretary^© (CPS^©)or Certified Administrative Professional^cm (CAP^cm) rating provides recognition and opens new opportunities for advancement. For information, call the IAAP Headquarters Certification Department at 816.891.6600, x227, 229, or 248.

International Convention and Education Forum

Held annually to conduct the business of the association through chapter/division delegates and to provide a unique educational format geared specifically to administrative professionals, executive assistants, and other office professionals. For information on future dates, contact the IAAP Headquarters Conventions and Meetings Department at 816.891.6600, x234.

IAAP Web Site

Keep up to date on the latest IAAP news and information at www.iaap-hq.org. Checkout the "Members' Place" section with a bulletin board system, E-surveys, association success tips, order form downloads, and much more.

IAAP Headquarters Support

A full-time staff is available to assist you with membership services, convention detail, the Certification Programs, education and professional development materials, and membership orders. Call 816.891.6600 where you can directly contact the department you need, or dial "0" to reach the receptionist for assistance.

Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day

Special observances originated and sponsored by IAAP. Many chapters offer special programs at this time while Headquarters works with national media and businesses to promote the image of the profession. For information, call IAAP Headquarters at 816-891-6600, e239.

IAAP's Online Meeting Planner

Dedicated to finding "A Better Way," MeetingXpress.com has developed a suite of online tools for fast, easy, and hassle-free planning and booking of small meetings.
The site guides both novice and experienced planners through an easy-to-use planning process providing them with an intuitive and convenient one-stop-shop for every aspect of the meeting planning process, from site selection and budgeting to a complete online request for proposal (RFP) and attendee registration. MeetingXpress.com also offers comprehensive Xpress Hotel Packages^tm that include sleeping rooms, meeting space, audio-visual, and food and beverage requirements.
As a benefit to IAAP members, there is no cost to use the Meeting Xpress.com Web site and online tools. Let MeetingXpress.com make you a hero as you plan your next event for your chapter or company. To get more information, log onto IAAP's Web site, "Members' Place," section and click on the MeetingXpress.com link.

Retirement Center

Vista Grande Retirement Center is a $6 million facility located in Rio Rancho, near Albuquerque, New Mexico. With financial support from members, it is the world's only retirement center built for and funded by administrative professionals. For information, call the IAAP Headquarters Retirement Center Trust Staff Liaison at 816-891-6600, x240.

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Networking

Members of the 700-plus IAAP chapters benefit from professional networks by attending chapter meetings, building friendships and professional contacts, and serve in chapter leadership positions. Members also can serve as division, district and international officers.

Certification

IAAP oversees two highly respected certifications, the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS®) program and the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP®) program. To achieve these certifications, the candidate must pass a rigorous exam covering finance and business law, office systems, administration, and management, and strategic planning. More than 50,000 secretaries have achieved the CPS rating since the program's inception in 1951 and the CAP Certification was just implemented during May 2001.

On-line support

More information about membership is available through IAAP's home page http://www.iaap-hq.org. Direct communication and interaction with the more than 40,000 members worldwide is available through links to their websites.

Chapter Benefits

Networking

Mentoring

Skills Development

Our local chapter offers many opportunities to build and enhance skills through our many seminars, workshops and monthly meetings. Some of the programs consisted of: Resume Development, Who Moved My Cheese, and Teamwork Building. The programs are dynamic and useful, and some even offer CEUs and points for CPS - CAP recertification.

Community Involvement

Leadership Opportunities

Again, many opportunities are available to build and enhance your leadership skills through serving as a chapter, district, regional, or international board member, or by serving as a chair for any of the committees and/or special programs. Our chapter is very involved with community involvement that also offers many opportunities to improve leadership skills and public awareness.

What Employers Should Know About IAAP

IAAP works in partnership with employers to promote professional excellence.

IAAP's primary purpose is to provide education, training, leadership development, and networking opportunities for its members.

IAAP annual membership dues are very reasonable and a good investment should a company decide to pay all or part of the dues for their administrative staff.

"Skills Standards" are buzzwords for businesses, educators, and government today. IAAP has had a very effective "standard-setting" program in place since 1951: The Certified Professional Examination!

Topics/speakers at the IAAP International Convention and Education Forum, as well as District, Division, and Chapter meetings benefit both the individual and their employer.

IAAP World Headquarters offers a wide variety of training materials, publications, and research findings on all aspects of office administration. OfficePro^® magazine, published nine times per year, has won several awards for publication excellence.

Five Ways to Profit from Your IAAP Membership

IAAP is in the business of making its members successful. To this end, IAAP conducts a variety of activities that boost your knowledge, resources, and ability:

Continuing Education

Associations provide the majority of adult education in the United States and internationally as well. Through IAAP, you can obtain professional certification, learn new business techniques, and guarantee your customers the most informed, qualified service.

Networking 

If it's not what you know but who you know, then associations are the place to be. Where you find hundreds of like-minded people gathered, you'll undoubtedly find a wellspring of knowledge, experience, and collective strength. Get to know your peers, competitors, and suppliers through IAAP. Build relationships, tap your peers' expertise, swap ideas, and discuss mutual concerns.

The Latest Industry Information and Research

Cutting-edge research by IAAP reveals new market trends, reports on challenges in the field, and keeps you up-to-date on ever-changing skill and knowledge requirements. IAAP produces and disseminates research and industry data that would be far too expensive for any one member to do alone, and provides an equal advantage to all.

Exclusive Discounts

IAAP offers members discounts on educational products and many other business related products and services. These discounts can save money for you and your organization.

The Chance to Create the Future

IAAP creates standards for administrative professionals for the next five or 10 years and beyond. Headquarters staff, volunteer leaders and world-renowned educators determine the educational sessions for various IAAP educational events, write articles on industry trends, and choose the organizational direction of the association. As an IAAP member, you help create the future of the administrative profession.

With these benefits and more, IAAP membership is more than an opportunity. It's good business.