Clear Lake Connection Our Mission — To Promote

Clear Lake Connection Our Mission - To Promote Administrative Excellence by Honoring. Encouraging. Leading. Promoting January/February 2012 Inside this issue 1 -2 3 Clear Lake Conversation by Chapter President – Lorna De. Armond, CAP On Friday, December 9 th CLNAC celebrated our Annual Holiday Party at the beautiful This is the holiday season and all Lakewood Yacht Club in the jolly happenings that go with it. On Seabrook, TX. The ladies of the first Monday of December, we held Lakewood did an outstanding job the board meeting at my home of decorating for the holidays, the combined with a Christmas cookie food was very good, and the exchange. Board members brought community service committee, delicious treats and each person took chaired by Donna Rodgers, CAPhome at least two dozen home made OM did an outstanding job of or almost home made cookies to share. organizing the collection of our I really enjoyed it and thank the board gifts for seniors. Twenty-seven members for attending! Maybe we can members attended and everyone begin a new tradition and do this again seemed to enjoy the festivities, next year. especially the last 15 minutes of The very next evening, Presidentrolling the dice for the white Elect, Rachael Venable, CAP-OM, elephant gift exchange. Michelle Spradley, CAP-OM and I On Saturday, my husband attended the ICC Holiday Party hosted Dave and I delivered gifts to one by Galveston County Chapter at Red of our chapters’ adopted senior River Barbeque in League City, TX. citizens, Ms. Imogene Buhler. Chapter President, Rhonda Driver, She was a petite woman, who CAP-OM lead the festivities. They answered the door with her eyes collected canned goods for a local food just sparkling and was as sweet pantry, donations to the Boys and Girls as you could imagine. I was Club of Galveston and ended with a happy to see her granddaughter fun White Elephant Gift Exchange. (continued) Clear Lake Conversation Membership Drive 4 IAAP Certification Program 5 New Members 6 Member of Excellence 7 “Help! My Wonder Woman Cape is Caught in the Vacuum” 8 Community Service 13 Launch Dates (events) 14 CLNAC Chapter Officers & Committees Anniversaries & Birthdays 15 IAAP Texas. Louisiana Division News 20 IAAP Headquarters

(continued from page 1) was there putting up a small Christmas tree and sharing the holiday spirit. Thanks to all our members who shared in the blessing of providing for our very special seniors this year! I hope that you have enjoyed the programs that our chapter brought you in 2011. CLNAC Board of Directors has worked very hard to ensure that our members receive programs that will help you be successful. If you have an idea for a topic, please let us know – we are always looking for new ideas and ways we can provide quality programs. 2012 promises to be a great year for our chapter – Happy New Year!

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE We are very excited to inform you we will be holding our annual membership drive this year from February 1, 2012 through April 30, 2012. During this time any new member who completes the following application will not pay Chapter Dues. That’s a $20 savings! Have you ever wondered what is included in the IAAP Membership? Listed below are just a few benefits included in your membership: · Member discount on purchases through IAAP on education and professional development resource materials · Discounts on registration of any IAAP sponsored international level training workshops, seminars, conferences and conventions. · Discounts on registration for the Certified Administrative Professional or the Certified Professional Secretary exams · Subscription to: Office. Pro magazine, Office. Pro Express, an e-newsletter full of research, trends and technology information; IAAP Connections, the association’s monthly e-newsletter · Full access to the IAAP Web Community, an online social network for IAAP members. · Local chapters, which hold training and networking events and have opportunities for leadership You can qualify for this membership in one of three ways: · A currently employed (or within the last two years) administrative professional · A holder of the CAP and/or CAP rating · An employed teacher of business education The professional membership is the most common membership chosen. This membership is non-transferrable and remains with the individual even if he or she changes employment. So what’s the cost? $83 Professional Yearly Membership Dues $15 Processing fee for new members; first year only $20 Clear Lake NASA Area Chapter Yearly Dues waived $15 Texas Louisiana Division Yearly Dues Total cost for a one year IAAP Membership is $113 during our membership drive! Please contact Ymelda Calvillo at Ymelda. calvillo@usa-spaceops. com for assistance in completing this application or if require additional information. After completing the application please email it to membership@iaap-hq. org or fax it to 816 -891 -9118 with payment information. Clear Lake Connection Mar/Apr 2012 3

Changes to the IAAP Certification Program Effective November 2011 One Rating IAAP has moved from a two rating system to a one rating system, with areas of specialty. The one rating is our Certified Administrative Professional, or CAP. We are also offering specialties, starting with Organizational Management, which will be followed by others in the future. Effective this week, all active CAP ratings will be changed to CAP, and all active CAP ratings will be changed to CAP with the Organizational Management specialty, CAP-OM. You don't need to do anything to your IAAP record; we will be making the changes automatically. Active ratings include individuals who have recertified as required every five years. In the case of CAP holders who certified prior to January 1988, your rating is considered active and will be changed. Your certification status has nothing to do with your status as an active member of IAAP. For candidates who tested in November 2011, any appropriate changes to your records will be made automatically after exam results are available in December. Recertification All CAP holders are required to recertify. This is based on the date of your initial rating, or when you last recertified. Passing the Organizational Management exam does not change your recertification date, as this is a specialty exam and not a certification. These changes do not impact your recertification deadline. Those who previously held a CAP rating will need to recertify five years after they either attained their rating or last recertified. Those who had both the CAP and CAP rating will be expected to recertify five years after they attained or recertified their CAP. If you have additional questions about recertification, please refer to the Recertification Application. Proper Usage Examples of the only proper usage of the CAP rating and Organizational Management specialty are: Pat Masters, CAP Susan Jones, CAP-OM Replacement certificates are available, if you choose to purchase one. The cost is $15 per certificate. CAP plaques are also available. The cost is $40 if mailed to a US address, or $45 if mailed to a Canadian address. For those living outside the U. S. and Canada, add an additional $25 for air mail, or an additional $80 for courier service. To order a replacement certificate or plaque if you are within the U. S. or Canada, please complete and submit this form with payment. Please allow 4 -6 weeks for processing for replacement certificates, and 6 -8 weeks for plaques. If you already have a CAP certificate or Clear Lake plaque, you do not need to order a new one. Connection Jan/Feb 2012 4 If you have questions about the change to your personal certification record, you

Welcome New Membership Enrollment Payment Plan rk in o wo e s t P lovcereative. Shn CA urg, be wildly She has b ee Bo Lisaer. Point and. P in 2005. d has two e likes h Pow d her CA years an orking s tdoors. u e 8 earn ed for 2 en not w and be o h ri mar ters. W to music h daug d, listen a to re ero Cindy Guerr to having a ard [We look forw t issue. ] nex report in our Did you know that your chapter has a Membership Enrollment Payment Plan where a prospective member, renewing member or reinstating member can make payments of the appropriate fees divided into three monthly payments to fund her membership? See Ymelda Calvillo for a flyer with details or email Ymelda Calvillo, CAP Feli Adm cia S a Red inistrat enz e Cr is an ive ens aci Owward to having a Tr for e. ] ok [We lo our next issu in report A with it two ique N ssistan gran t wi SSJV chi t favo dchildr ldren a. She i h s sin en. nd t rite So mea s w gle tbal are spa me of o the her ls, “ ghe Chr istia Amazin tti and n m g or ovie Grace Mary Co er f. ” an “Fir ntreras, k nag epro d Clerk II w of. ” Ma abroo t CAP is a s ith the C ity is passio Se Sale gif nate abo of League City. s a riott - has a n. ut Sh scrapbo yi r oking. Sh reading, cookin e rne s by Ma ing and childre three g, and e is marr children u e B ied with. two na ll Suit c speak n is for ghter, ild. ia D Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 Hi au sio bli nch ring ves pu er pas one d p-gra Sp lo ith. H ste She riting rced w d one w for is divo ren, an She dchild n gra 5

Attention all members aspiring to be a Member of Excellence! Did you know that if you write an article (minimum 200 words) and have it published in the Clear Lake Connection, you satisfy one of the criteria for Member of Excellence? Take a few moments to view the information at the links provided below. v IAAP Member of Excellence website v Member Commitment Form v Member of Excellence Validation Spreadsheet YOU CAN WIN FREE REGISTRATION TO EFAM 2012 IN GRAPEVINE TX! Clear Lake/NASA Chapter IAAP EFAM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION CONTEST is designed to encourage members to become Members of Excellence in the Pathways to Excellence IAAP program. The Contest is open to all members in good standing as of the date of the drawing who have completed, submitted and received their MEMBER OF EXCELLENCE confirmation. For 2012, our chapter will pay the conference registration for TWO chapter Members of Excellence to the IAAP EFAM, July 22 -25, 2012 in Grapevine, TX. The winners may stay in the chapter room at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center the nights of July 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. Drawing will be held at the April 16 chapter meeting. Go to http: //pathways. iaap-hq. org to see how easy is to earn your Member of Excellence and have your name added to the drawing. Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 6

Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 7

2011 Community Service Project Adopt-A-Senior for the Holidays By Donna Rodgers, CAP-OM • Santa and his reindeer visited Ms. Imogene Buhler during this past Christmas season! I understand they arrived by sleigh in South Houston on a sunny day, delivered a stocking full of presents to a sweet little lady whose granddaughter was there putting up a tree. Santa told me he had warm fuzzy feeling as he pulled away, knowing she wouldn’t spend Christmas alone! • Sophia Pichoff and Norma Connally delivered the wonderful gifts provided by CLNAC IAAP to Ms. Patricia Linsicombe. We sat in her humble little den while she chatted appreciatively and thanked us and the chapter profusely for her gifts. (There were no holiday decorations anywhere. ) During our brief visit, she shared that she has taken in her grandson and his family since they had fallen on hard times early in 2011 due to an auto accident her grandson was in. While we were there we met her granddaughter-in-law. Unfortunately, there no pictures were taken since she said she was not appropriately dressed and didn’t feel comfortable to take them. • Jean Meier and her friends delivered to Ms. Elizabeth Homan during the holidays. They met her that morning by chance as her phone number had changed. She was pleasantly surprised by the out pouring of gifts and thanked our organization. It was a quick visit. • Donna Rodgers, Rachael Venable and her friend Frank made deliveries to Ms. Virginia Peres and Mr. Billy Winchester during the Christmas holidays. Ms. Perez was very excited to have company and see all the beautiful presents that were placed near her small tabletop fiber optic Christmas tree. Before leaving, she made sure that we had an Avon calendar for 2012! She’s been very successful in Avon sales for many years and won many awards! Mr. Winchester was home, but had company when we arrived at his apartment , so our visit was not as long as it could have been. He was all smiles at the site of the gifts that the chapter members had wrapped so beautifully for him! • Irene Dillon and Donna Rodgers made a special delivery to Ms. Ann Pennington during the holidays. She was out of town for a few days but upon her return her delivery took place! She is the companion of Ms. Virginia Peres and they have known each other for years – since working together with the EMS department in the City of South Houston. Ms. Pennington is a very giving woman who cares for Ms. Peres. She is her chauffeur, friend, and confidant. Ms. Pennington was very pleased with the presents that she received and asked us to sit and visit with her and Ms. Peres. These two women were so happy to have visitors during the holidays and both Irene and I wished that we could have stayed longer. Before we left though, Irene received some beautiful Avon perfume and bought an animated Avon bear who rapped out to a tune for the holidays for her grandson! Both of us were touched by their kindness and generosity and we wished them Merry Christmas and Happy New Year before getting and giving hugs from each of them! • Mr. Douglas Redding received a visit from Carrol Cribbs and her family on Christmas eve to delivery Santa’s gifts! How appropriate that he should receive the blessings of the Christmas season on the eve of our Lord’s birth. Carrol and her family were blessed to be able to make Mr. Redding’s holiday brighter!

2011 Community Service Special Project Adoption of the O’Malley Family for the Holidays By Donna Rodgers, CAP-OM As a special project for the Clear Lake/NASA Area Chapter’s Community Service Committee, the O’Malley family was adopted for the 2011 Christmas holidays. We were blessed to have the means to provide gifts for the family members that they would not have received otherwise. This special project was made even more important since the family just moved into a home in the Pearland area and had not even unpacked completely as Jonathan was hospitalized once again at MD Anderson Hospital. Knowing that we could make a difference for the O’Malley’s brought the committee members closer and we realized the true meaning of Christmas. It is in the giving that we are blessed! Thank you letters follow from both Project Joy & Hope’s Director Shelley Fuller and the O’Malley’s. She also sent along these photos for which we thank her! Lauren O’Malley Lauren and Jacob O’Malley The CLNAC Community Service Committee also worked very hard to have the O’Malley Family submitted for consideration for Mattress Mack’s Gallery Furniture Full House of Furniture Giveaway to deserving families for the holidays. The family was accepted for consideration as a result of a letter writing campaign by numerous members of both the committee and chapter. A write up justifying their needs accompanied their name and was placed on the internet site for Gallery Furniture as “Family #5” to be voted on by the public. Unfortunately, they were not selected but the effort put forth by many people showed how much love and care and prayers are sent to this family continuously!

2011 Community Service Project Adoption of the O’Malley Family for the Holidays By Donna Rodgers, CAP-OM The Clear Lake/NASA Area Chapter Community Service Committee made a truly exceptional effort to adopt the O’Malley family for the 2011 Christmas holiday season. We were blessed with the means to provide gifts to each family member and these gifts were delivered to Shelley Fuller at Project Joy & Hope the evening before Kevin O’Malley arrived to pick them up. We received these letters of thanks from Project Joy & Hope and the O’Malley family and are happy to share them with you, our chapter members!

COMMUNITY SERVICE Help Our Military Endure- Don’t forget to bring packages of gum, fruit rollups or Little Debbie snacks to our February Chapter Meeting. We’re collecting these small items to mail overseas. Contact Donna Rodgers or Rachael Venable if you would like to volunteer for a community service project and visit our webpage for a list of upcoming events. Box Tops for Education We continue to accept Box Tops for Education coupons at our Board and Chapter monthly meetings. This ongoing project is easy, simply collect Box Tops coupons from participating products. See the participating products webpage for products that offer box tops. You will be amazed! We collected over 1, 000 coupons during our first drive, so let’s keep it going and snip those Box Tops for Education! The Community Service Committee will have a collection box at our monthly meetings. KITWOM (Keep in Touch With Our Military) The Community Service Committee wants to continue to support our troops around the world. So we are planning a postcard writing campaign during. This will give us the opportunity to thank these dedicated citizens for protecting us and our democratic way of life. We’ll set up a table at each meeting with postcards and pens so that members can take time to send greetings. We will also be collecting items for care packages. Participation is voluntary. Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 11

DOOR PRIZES: Help fill our baskets! There is an ample supply of baskets. But we are in need of ITEMS to place in our baskets. If you have new or unused office supplies, decorations, jewelry, or other items you would like to donate, please contact Billie Hall (Billie. Hall@leaguecity. com). Member support is needed to manage this committee. If you could assist with announcements, presentations, articles, please contact Billie Hall the benefits of working with this committee. Stay connected, if you have recently moved or changed your e-mail address, send your new contact information to membership@iaap-hq. org. Please note… All correspondence, job postings and/or distribution updates should now be directed to Lorna De. Armond at lorna. g. dearmond@nasa. gov Now Hiring! Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 New Update! 12

Launch Dates February - April: Membership Drive During this time any new member who completes the following application will not pay Chapter Dues. That’s a $20 savings! February 6 CLNAC Board Meeting Spring. Hill Suites in Seabrook - Room A Open to all members. NOTE: may be used for Member of Excellence #9 – attend a minimum of 8 meetings. February 13 CLNAC Meeting Hilton Garden Inn – Banquet Room “Wit & Wisdom” by Jonathan Churchill-Sandys (great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill) March 2 Clear Lake Connection newsletter submissions deadline for Mar/Apr 2012 issue. Submissions may be sent via e-mail to i. simmons@sbcglobal. net March 19 CLNAC Meeting Hilton Garden Inn – Banquet Room “The 5 S’s” by Brian Hayes April 16 CLNAC Meeting Hilton Garden Inn – Banquet Room Administrative Professionals Week Celebration Please visit our website for more information. www. iaap-clnac. org Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 13

2011 -2012 Chapter Officers and Committees President Lorna G. De. Armond, CAP President-Elect Rachael Venable, CAP Vice-President Celeste Halalta, CAP-OM Director I Billie Hall, CAP Director II Irene Dillon, CAP-OM Secretary Jeanette Smith, CAP Treasurer Bernice Woolsey, CAP Past President Ymelda Calvillo, CAP Committee Chairperson Financial Review Lisa Garcia, CAP-OM Arrangements Carrol Cribbs, CAP-OM Bylaws & Standing Rules Celeste Halata, CAP-OM Chaplain Irene Dillon, CAP-OM Clear Lake Connection Newsletter Irene Dillon, CAP-OM Community Service Donna Rodgers, CAP-OM Certification Kellen Clark, CAP-OM Membership Ymelda Calvillo, CAP-OM Media/Publicity Nancy Hall-Peck Reservations Frances Jackson, CAP-OM Retirement Trust Foundation Donna Rodgers, CA-OMP Webmaster Julie Victory Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 Anniversaries Estella Gillette Jan 1989 years Kathy Wells Jan 2000 12 years Cynthia Le. Blue Jan 2005 years Dana Rogers Jan 2006 6 years Deborah Salmeron Jan 2006 years Lorna De. Armond Jan 2007 years Deborah Murphree Jan 2009 years Jeanette Smith Jan 2009 years Cheryl Rath Jan 2009 3 years Emily Glover Jan 2010 2 years Vicki Arolfo Jan 2011 1 year Denise Howell Jan 2011 year Candy Wind Feb 1994 Delilah Hymas years Patricia Roberts years Toni Yeager Feb 2005 Ymelda Calvillo years Birthdays Pat Cannon Feb 2007 Irene Dillon Feb 2007 Lisa Bourg Jan 8 Janice Eubanks Candy Wind Jan 10 years Irene Dillon Jan 19 Cynthia Boland Sharon Parks years Karla Villeneuve Kristen Damon years Michelle Spradley Nancy Tuck Feb 2010 Tami Barbour Mary Patterson Patricia Roberts year Nancy Hall-Peck Yvette Garza Feb 26 23 7 6 5 3 3 1 18 years Feb 2004 8 7 years Feb 2006 6 5 years Feb 2007 5 Feb 2009 Jan 30 Feb 2009 Feb 6 2 years Feb 18 Feb 2011 Feb 18 Feb 22 3 3 1 14

2011 -2012 Board of Directors: President : Carla Flowers, CAP-OM - Bio President Elect: Tina Wiggins, CAP-OM - Bio Vice President: Charlene Kesee, CAP-OM - Bio Secretary: Bonnie House, CAP-OM - Bio Treasurer: Emily Gardner, CAP-OM - Bio The Texas-Louisiana 2012 Annual Meeting and Education Forum will be held at South Shore Harbor Resort and Convention Center in League City, Texas, May 18 - 20, 2012. We hope you will attend this weekend of education and enrichment. It is guaranteed to be exciting and energize you in your work and at home. The Tours and Events committee has gone "overboard" with a Sunset Fanta. Sea Cruise planned for Thursday night, May 17, on beautiful Clear Lake leaving from South Shore Resort's Marina, and other exciting surprises are planned as well. Please join us in "Making the Leap to Remarkable!" T-L Division Meeting Sponsorship Committee: We are expecting 250 attendees at the T-L 2012 meeting in May and we want everyone to remember what an awesome meeting it will be long after the event. Please contact rachael. venable@lyondellbasell. com if your company would like to donate any items for the goodie bags or if your company would like to underwrite the event in any other way. T-L Division Meeting Fundraiser Committee: We would like to invite you to order your T-L 2012 Sleep Shirts – they are comfortable, soft and fashionable. If you order now they will be here in time for Christmas! They are available for only $20 and proceeds go to help our chapter. Please contact Frances Jackson at fjacks 02@harris. com to place your order. Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 Our core values: Integrity: We demonstrate this cornerstone of our profession through honesty, accountability and high ethical standards. Respect: We create respect within our profession and association through listening, understanding and acknowledging member feedback. Adaptability: We ensure the success of our association by embracing positive change and by nurturing diversity, creativity and visionary thinking. Communication: We cultivate and maintain excellence by remaining approachable at all levels, communicating openly and building strong relationships. Commitment: We are steadfast in our goals to develop learning opportunities for careerminded administrative professionals and to strengthen efficiency and effectiveness. 15

IAAP FACT SHEET OBJECTIVE: The Clear Lake-NASA Area Chapter will host the 2012 Texas-Louisiana Division Annual Meeting in League City, Texas in May for 1900 members throughout the two states. The Clear Lake-NASA Area Chapter, through cooperation with its members and the Clear Lake area business community, will provide facilities, services, seminars, and business sessions for continuing professional development and education. FACT: The 2012 Texas-Louisiana Division Annual Meeting will be held May 18 -20, 2012 at the South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center. Tours of the various highlights of the Clear Lake community are being planned for those in attendance. INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a not-for-profit professional association for office professionals with approximately 28, 000 members and affiliates and nearly 600 chapters worldwide. Our mission is to enhance the success of careerminded administrative professionals by providing opportunities for growth through education, community building and leadership development. The association was founded in 1942 as the National Secretaries Association to provide a professional network and educational resources for secretarial staff. The association's name was changed in 1998 to the International Association of Administrative Professionals to encompass the large number of varied administrative job titles and recognize the advancing role of administrative support staff in business and government. IAAP membership benefits include access to educational services and products, research findings, Office. Pro® magazine, discounts on IAAP Connections newsletter, Internet Website (http: //community. iaap-hq. org/home/), service and support from IAAP World Headquarters staff, travel and insurance discounts, and much more. CLEAR LAKE-NASA AREA CHAPTER The Clear Lake-NASA Area Chapter was chartered on October 22, 1986. We have been active within the community in furthering the quality of office support for our business leaders. Through San Jacinto Community College, we provide Certified Professional Secretary review courses. The Chapter also supports the Clear Lake community by conducting an annual food drive and annual holiday gift drive for senior citizens, Dress for Success clothing drive annually for women returning to the workforce, and adopting a needy family annually among many other charity events. Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 16

Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 17

Clear Lake Connection Mar/Apr 2012 18

Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 19

Clear Lake Connection Mar/Apr 2012 20

Clear Lake Connection Mar/Apr 2012 21

Clear Lake Connection Mar/Apr 2012 22

Relocating for Work: What Would It Take? Uprooting your life for a position in a new city is a huge endeavor. Whether you’ve accepted a job offer with a new company, or a position within your current organization, it’s important to consider what factors would make a move worth the effort. These include: • Compensation for the new position • Cost of living in the new city • Status of the new position • Distance of the move • Family considerations What else should professionals consider before making a move for their career? Start by looking at the big picture. Make sure you’re aware of all factors involved in relocating, rather than focusing on a single element of the job. For example, though a company may provide a solid benefits and compensation package, would you be comfortable living in the new city? Thirty-one percent of executives polled in a survey by our company said the quality of life in a new city would be the most influential factor in their decision to move. You may want to examine elements of the proposed geographic area, such as crime, school rankings and cultural events. Other questions include: Does the employer offer moving assistance or jobplacement services for spouses? Will you be needing a car or does the city have a good public transportation system? If you do need a car, will you have to pay for parking, or will your company cover this expense? Are there opportunities for further growth with the firm? Will you be able to work on the types of projects you enjoy? Will you be given the resources you need to succeed? Even if relocating is a smart professional move, you also must determine if it’s right for you personally. Does relocating come at a good time for you and your family? Are family members going to enjoy the new location, or will they resent losing friends, changing schools or having to find new employment? Can you afford the move and the cost of living in the new location? Relocation can be a beneficial career move, as long as you examine all the factors associated with pulling up roots. While a move to a new city can be exciting, it’s important to remember that for some the best choice is to stay put and wait for the next opportunity. Office. Team is the world’s leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative and office support professionals. The company has 315 locations worldwide, and offers online job search services at www. officeteam. com. Clear Lake Connection Mar/Apr 2012 23

GETTING PAST SECURITY! I am the Key Master and the Gate Keeper! By Donna M. Rodgers, CAP In the world of office administration, it takes a strong personality to carry off these two assignments successfully. However, it can be done! Each work day the “Key Master” OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR (OA) opens the boss’s door to get the day started. The same holds true for the close of business each day. It’s the OA who closes up the office. One of the first things that an office professional learns is that protection of the boss is imperative. He may tell the troops on the floor that he has an open door policy, but the truth of the matter is that the OA maintains his calendar and has more control than sometimes the boss realizes. If there’s a scheduled appointment on the calendar, then the “open door policy” is generally null and void, except in the case of fire drills or some other emergency. Sometimes when the door is open, the OA Gate Keeper has to step up, or even stand in the doorway, to head the individual off at the pass if an interruption of a telecon or closed door meeting is imminent. She also has the key to his office! This being said, there’s usually an opportunity to network with the visitor/employee if they arrive early for their scheduled appointment. If there’s a meeting going on when they arrive, then that’s the reason for three chairs outside of the boss’s office. It’s almost like subtly telling them to take a number, sit down and relax for a few minutes. If the meeting runs long, then the OA has the opportunity to knock on the door and possibly use the key to remind the boss of his next appointment in a very professional manner, of course! Now that’s power! Clear Lake Connection Mar/Apr 2012 24

Brushing Up Your Listening Skills The New Year is always a time to step back and see what kinds of things you would like to improve. First on the list for many people is to "improve my communication skills". But when people think about what they want to improve about their communication skills, listening is often not considered or is at the bottom of the list. Well, I recommend that you move it to the top of the list! First, see if you are guilty of any of these barriers to effective listening. 1. Discounting and tuning out the entire message when a flaw is found. 2. Judging the sender instead of the message. 3. Thinking about what you are going to say next instead of listening. 4. Interrupting before the speaker is finished. 5. Letting your mind wander while the person is talking. If you are like me, you too are guilty of some of these barriers. Resolve to improve your listening skills with these tips. 1. Always let the speaker finish. Wait your turn. 2. Check for understanding by asking questions (if appropriate) or paraphrasing what the person has said. 3. Keep good eye contact and avoid fidgeting. 4. Stop what you are doing and concentrate and focus on the speaker. 5. Be empathetic to the speaker. Imagine yourself in their shoes. 6. Don't pass judgment before you listen to the complete message. Keep an open mind. 7. Don't jump to conclusions or finish a sentence for them. 8. Watch the speaker's body language and listen to his vocal tone. Being a good listener has many advantages. It can: 1. Make you more promotable. 2. Increase your job satisfaction. 3. Make you more efficient. 4. Improve your ability to solve problems. 5. Make people like you and improve your working relationships. 6. Keep you aware of what is going on in your organization. And finally. when we talk, our blood pressure goes up. When we listen, it goes down! They say you teach what you need to improve yourself and in my case, that is true with listening skills. Among my communication skills classes, I teach one called, "Can You Hear Me Know? ? The Power of Listening Skills. " Contact me if you want more information at: peggy@peggymorrow. com Contact me if you would like to talk about a customized team retreat to work on any of your specific team or customer service issues. I can be reached via e-mail at: peggy@peggymorrow. com or by phone: (281) 280 -8190 or 800 -375 -2982. Clear Lake Connection Mar/Apr 2012 25

Something to think about… “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. ” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Requests: Healing for Natasha Spradley, daughter-in-law of Michelle Spradley Comfort for the family of Betty Carter, mother of Frances Jackson O’Malley Family Healing for Toni Yeager Speedy recovery for Breanne Halata The Clear Lake Connection is published bi-monthly by Irene Dillon, CAP-OM and Carrol Cribbs, CAP. Submissions may be sent via e-mail to i. simmons@sbcglobal. net and Carrol. Cribbs@leaguecity. com Mar/Apr issue deadline: Friday, March 2, 2012 Websites: www. iaap-hq. org IAAP Headquarters www. iaap-txla. org IAAP Texas-Louisiana Division www. iaap-clnac. org IAAP Clear Lake/NASA Area Chapter Clear Lake Connection Jan/Feb 2012 26