The Marquette Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The occasion is a good reminder that the organization’s women—and the careers represented by IAAP—have made great strides.

According to Phyllis Schoch, a member since 1984 and a retired administrative assistant at Caterpillar, the Marquette Chapter was chartered August 5, 1945, by the National Secretaries Association (NSA). “In 1980, NSA became the Professional Secretaries International (PSI) to encompass member chapters outside the United States. In 2001, the name again was changed to respond to the computer age, where secretaries are more appropriately called ‘administrative assistants.’ Thus, International Association of Administrative Professionals is the present name of the parent organization. IAAP currently has 27,431 members. In addition, there are more than 12,000 members in international affiliate organizations, and there’s also a retirement center for administrative professionals of IAAP in Vista Grande, N.M.,” she said.

Like the name of the organization, the jobs it represents have undergone changes over the years, said Elaine Dentino, CPS, a member since 1967 and a retired executive secretary at Caterpillar. “Jobs have changed from secretarial—shorthand/typewriter—to the computer. An administrative assistant is a trusted confident; has a wealth of information; is an idea innovator, planner, and organizer; and is proficient in databases and multi-tasking.”

The purpose of IAAP is to provide education and training, leadership development, and networking opportunities to its members, Schoch said. “Through the years, we’ve provided scholarships for area students wishing to pursue secretarial and administrative assistant careers. The recipients have attended Illinois Central College.”

The organization also offers a wealth of educational programs, Dentino said. “These include city and area items of current interest, health issues, and a variety of knowledge for well-rounded employees.”

Schoch said contrary to popular belief, there’s a lot that goes into being an administrative professional—and there are tests to prove it. “Being a member of IAAP enhances an employee’s professional identity. For example, the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) exam was first administered in 1951. The one-day test has three parts: finance and business law, office systems and administration, and management. Nearly 62,500 individuals have achieved the rating. The Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) exam was initiated in 2001, and nearly 3,200 individuals are CAPs. To achieve this rating, the CPS exam must be passed first. Then a fourth part, organizational planning, must be passed.”

To commemorate the Marquette Chapter’s 60th anniversary—and look forward—a celebration took place September 29 at the Cater Inn for members, past members, presidents, and guests. TPW