Saturday, Already? How can that be?

How does one explain the purpose and feel of International Convention of IAAP members to an octogenarian?

Today, I had the pleasure of visiting my 85 year-old father-in-law with my husband and daughter. He has a completely different history of the workplace than I can remember. He was in the midst of corporate America as it emerged from WWII- and really has lived and worked through so many of the dynamic changes of the workforce and workplace.

He asked me about where I was last week and what it was all about. Sigh. It is hard to put words around the feeling of being amongst peers. I told him that it really focused on three items-and I think this is fair generalization.

1. Electing our leadership
2. Sharing experience, wisdom and humor as it pertains to our chosen career field
3. Continuing education courses and sessions- both the official ones -- and those that are shared under the cone of silence (Younger folks will have to google that term if you don't know it.)- the ones that are shared from seasoned admins to newbies..both at the convention and workplace arenas

He remembers when women were forced to join the workforce as admins-- replacing the male clerks that had gone off to war. He was fascinated to learn that the percentage had flipped... but seemed relieved that it was not a sole gender occupation.

I have so much stuff to write about.... it will take me two solid weeks to catch up. I do have pictures from convention to post.... but I'm still learning how to put them into a slide show. In the meantime, I have posted the presidential trio- Regina Graham, Division President DE_MD-DC, Sandy Chandler, Past International President-IAAP, and of course, our own Pat May, President, Capital Chapter.

More soon.. --- just need more caffeine to keep going! (smile)... -- Kemetia