Clear Lake Connection

1. Clear Lake Connection Our Mission - To Promote Administrative Excellence by Honoring Encouraging Leading Promoting Volume 25 Issue 5 March / April 2012 Churchill Visits Clear Lake NASA Area Chapter Jonathan Churchill-Sandys, great grandson to Sir Winston Churchill, Britain’s Wartime Prime Minister presented a leadership lecture series titled Wit & Wisdom at our February Chapter Meeting. Although it was a shorter version of the original lecture, our chapter exceeded expectations – and put together a fabulous night! Tables set with white linens, red floral arrangements with British flags, and place cards were simple yet beautiful. Next to the podium sat the bust of Sir Winston Churchill, as if to oversee each detail and a display table of a collection of WWII memorabilia, including original newspapers from December 7, 1941 and love letters from France that gave a real sense of what it was like in that uncertain era. CLNAC donated two WWII 50th Anniversary Fine Arts Series prints to the International Churchill Foundation.

2. Members and guests entered the meeting room to the sounds of 1940s Big Band Swing music by artists such as The Andrew Sisters, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. After a short networking session, the program began with a musical slideshow highlighting Help Our Military Endure (HOME) Organization before a buffet dinner was served. Our community service committee collected comfort items like chewing gum, Little Debbie Snacks, fruit rollups, and candy. We also placed Valentine cards and stickers at each table for guests to write on and we sent everything overseas to our troops. CLNAC President-Elect, Rachael Venable, CAP-OM led members and guests to stand for the US National Anthem before introducing Jonathan Churchill-Sandys. He gave a memorable presentation reminding us to think about our own leadership abilities and no matter what – never, never, never, give up! The Clear Lake Connection is published bi-monthly by Irene Dillon, CAP-OM and Karla Villeneuve, CAP-OM Submissions may be sent via e-mail to i.simmons@sbcglobal.net 2

4. Robert’s Rules of Order Article Submitted by Lorna DeArmond, CAP where Robert built fortifications on the islands. In the American Civil War, he was assigned to the Corps of Engineers and worked on the defenses of Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and several New England ports. He was made brigadier general in 1901 and following his retirement, he chaired the board of engineers that designed the Galveston, Texas seawall following the 1900 storm. At that time, Galveston had a population of 37,000 where one-third of the city was completely destroyed and more than 6,000 people were killed. Galveston Seawall Construction 1905 Henry Martyn Robert is most famous for his Pocket Manual of Rules for Deliberative Assemblies, now called Robert’s Rule of Order, a collection of procedures he established and published in 1876 in response to his poor performance in leading a meeting at a Baptist church in Massachusetts where he discovered that members from different areas of the country had very different views regarding what the parliamentary rules were, and these conflicts hampered organizations in their work. Henry Martyn Robert died in Hornell, New York on May 11, 1923 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The history and origin of Robert’s Rule of Order, which is the most widely used manual of parliamentary procedures. Research turned up an interesting story of Henry Martyn Robert, the author of Robert’s Rules of Order. Did you know he was also responsible for designing the seawall in Galveston, Texas? Henry Martyn Robert was born in Robertville, South Carolina on May 2, 1837. Robert was nominated to West Point, graduated in 1857 and became a military engineer. Under his command during the Pig War, a confrontation triggered by the shooting of a pig (which was the only casualty of war) in 1859 between American and British authorities over the boundary between the US and British North America, specifically the San Juan Islands,

6. T-L Raffle Tree! • One of our best chapter fund raisers is our T-L Raffle Tree. Bring your gift card or cash/check to Pat Cannon and Frances Jackson at the April chapter meeting or contact Frances directly. • Suggestions for gift cards are: • Academy • Barnes and Noble • Baskin-Robbins • Bath and Body Works • Bed, Bath and Beyond • Blockbuster • Chick-Fil-A • ExxonMobile • Hobby Lobby • JCPenney • Kohl’s • Kroger • Michaels • Old Navy • Olive Garden • Panera Bread • Pier One • Shell • Starbucks • Subway • Target • Toys-R-Us • Valero • Visa • Wal-Mart • The cards can be in increments of $5, $10, $20 or more. Please choose cards that can be used both in Texas and Louisiana. • Because we are the host chapter, we want T-L 2012 to be a WOW factor for everyone!

7. DOOR PRIZES 2012 Texas-Louisiana Division Annual Meeting As our IAAP Texas-Louisiana Division Meeting is quickly approaching, our chapter needs everyone’s help in soliciting and collecting door prizes for our T-L conference in May. For anyone who has attended T-L annual meetings in the past, you know that a large number of door prizes are needed. As Michelle Spradley, CAP-OM wrote in a previous email, it would be nice if everyone could get about five door prizes donated. There are a number of ways each of us can help with this effort: (1) check with your company to see if there is merchandise that they would be willing to donate, (2) ask restaurants or establishments that you frequent to see if they would donate a gift certificate, (3) contact vendors or restaurants that you use for your business needs for donations; (4) check with your area businesses/restaurants for their willingness to donate gift cards or items, or (5) look around your home for gifts you received but never used (I had a few of these). Any door prizes you are able to collect would be greatly appreciated. As we would like to note in our program book all businesses, restaurants, chapters, and individuals who have donated door prizes for our 60th IAAP T-L conference, we would like to receive or be notified of these door prizes as soon as possible before May. Please contact me at LM5619@yahoo.com or 713-553-4120. I will make arrangements to collect these door prizes from you at the next meeting or working session, or arrange a time to pick them up. In keeping with the T-L theme, let’s all continue to work together in “Making the Leap to Remarkable” and assist all of our T-L committees in making this a remarkable and memorable 2012 Texas-Louisiana Division Annual Meeting. Thanking you in advance for your help and assistance! Lisa Kumbalek, CAP-OM Door Prize Committee Chair

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10. 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 career-minded administrative professionals and to strengthen efficiency and effectiveness. 2011-2012 Board of Directors: President :  Carla Flowers, CAP-OM - BioPresident Elect: Tina Wiggins, CAP-OM - BioVice President: Charlene Kesee, CAP-OM - BioSecretary:  Bonnie House, CAP-OM - BioTreasurer:  Emily Gardner, CAP-OM - Bio TEXANA Newsletter now Available! Check out the latest installment of news and information from the Division. TEXANA Newsletter (March 2012) 2012-2013 Division Standing Committees Get involved at the Division level as a committee member or chairman of one of the Division's Standing Committees. Commitment to Serve and Bylaws Excerpt Proposed Amendments to Division BL&SR Amendments being presented at the 2012 T-L Division Annual Meeting are posted in our Library. 2012 Proposed Amendments to Bylaws/Standing Rules Committee on Nominations Report Read the report and review the qualifications of the candidates running for 2012/13 Division offices. Nominations Report & Candidate Qualifications Deadline for DMOTY April 14 Postmark DMOTY applications to President Flowers by April 14. The cover letter and application is in our Library. 2012 DMOTY Cover Letter & Application

11. IAAP President Tamara Goodall, CAP-OM announces… “I am pleased to introduce IAAP’s new executive director, Gerald J. “Jay” Donohue, Jr., CAE, CMP.  Jay comes to IAAP with an impressive résumé. He’s had over 18 years of association experience, having served as executive director/chief administrative officer and chief operations officer for three major national and international membership organizations.” Free APW Webinar: New Rules In A Digital Age Is it OK to friend your boss? Can an email mistake jeopardize your career? There are many gray areas when it comes to communicating in the digital age. In celebration of Administrative Professionals Week, join OfficeTeam and IAAP for a free webinar 1:00-2:00 p.m. Central Time Tuesday, April 24, "Business Etiquette: New Rules In A Digital Age." You'll learn guidelines on digital protocols in the workplace, including LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, as well as traditional communication tools such as email. Those who participate in the full live webinar are eligible to earn one recertification point. Space is limited so register today! New Executive Director Gerald J. “Jay” Donohue, Jr., CAE, CMP

12. Hotel reservations for 2012 EFAM now open Reserve your room now for the 2012 Education Forum and Annual Meeting July 21-25 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. About 10 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the Gaylord Texan will be the perfect place to relax, shop and enjoy yourself during EFAM. The resort includes more than 1,500 luxurious guest rooms with wireless internet access, safes and complimentary bottled water. Guests will have access to a 25,000-square-foot day spa and fitness center. Plus, you will get four complimentary passes to Paradise Springs, the Gaylord Texan’s 10-acre pool complex with a 600-foot “lazy river,” beach, bar and grille and game pavilion. There’s casual and formal restaurants, plenty of shops and a night club. When it’s time to attend the conference, you’ll be easy walking distance from the resort’s convention center. The entire resort is indoors and climate controlled, with lush landscaping and majestic glass atriums. Get on the trail for the 2012 EFAM and make your reservation today! EFAM registration doesn't open until April 1 but information about educational sessions and keynote speakers is now available online. View 2012 EFAM Session Information.

13. Keynote: Lead With LUV – A Different Way To Create Real Success Colleen Barrett , July 23 Colleen Barrett began working as an executive assistant with Herb at his law firm in 1967. Later, he bought a small interest in a commuter airline that ran between three cities in Texas. He became its legal counsel and director and took Colleen with him. This small airline later became Southwest Airlines, one of the most talked about and profitable of all carriers. When he retired in 2001 as President and CEO, he turned to two old friends: James Parker, the company's longtime general counsel to succeed him as CEO, and Colleen Barrett to become president, having moved up through the ranks and served on the management team for several years. This admin turned executive, will explain that Southwest is in the customer service business but it happens to provide transportation. She will give a quick overview of how SWA became a marketing company; how SWA’s culture came about; what five leadership expectations the company sets for its people and who SWA’s customers are in terms of importance. She will also share her thoughts about why she believes that servant leadership, LUV and freedom are the key ingredients to Southwest’s success.

15. Changes to the IAAP Certification Program • 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-OM 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 plaque, you do not need to order a new one. • If you have questions about the change to your personal certification record, you can contact us at certification@iaap-hq.org. • Thank you,IAAP Certification Department

16. The Options Office Skills Training Program provides quality training for office support staff through a series of self-study modules spanning four skill levels. Materials can be used individually or in groups. After choosing a skill level, employees can reasonably finish one module per month. Each employee receives a certificate after finishing the module, completing the assignments and submitting them to IAAP. Those who complete all 12 modules are eligible for 24 IAAP Certified Administrative Professional recertification points. With Options Technology hands-on learning, you get comprehensive technology training that will increase your productivity as you move from the basic to advanced levels. Hone your skills and prove your competency with Microsoft Office certification. Options Technology gives you everything you’ll need to prepare for the Microsoft certification exams. Options Technology has earned one of the highest scores of any instructional materials. Be confident in your knowledge of Microsoft Office as you use the post assessments to measure your readiness to take your certification exams.

17. Be the Office Superstar!Microsoft Office Specialist certification helps you shine in your career. • Complete tasks quicker and with greater ease • Become a team resource for your colleagues • Build self-confidence, credibility and enhance job satisfaction • Exclusive offer to IAAP members!Microsoft Office Certification Exam, Practices Tests and Online Self-Study Course just $69! • On The Road to Being an Office Superstar • By Karla Villeneuve, CAP-OM • What better way to become an office superstar than by learning and earning a MOS Word Certification. What better time to take advantage of the IAAP exclusive MOS Certification Spring Bundle, offered to IAAP members, from Certiport at a great price? For only $69 you get a MOS certification Exam with practice tests and receive online self-study course for free through LearnKey. • The promotion began March 5, 2012 and will end on July 31, 2012. And since I’ve always wanted to get this certification, as far back as Word 95, but I didn’t know where to go or how to study for it. I talked with my friend Annette Barham, CAP-OM into signing up with me and be on the road with me for this journey. We chose the Word 2010 one because my laptop has MS Office 2010 on it and two Annette has it on her computer at work. So as of Wednesday, March 13th I started the count down of 90 days to study, practice and get that word certification. • Here’s how I got started, just in case you want to be on the road with us: • Look at the email from IAAP: OfficePro Express dated March 8, 2012 or go to www.certiport.com/IAAP. • Click on the link below Exclusive Offer to IAAP members! And this will take you to the Certiport portal where you can sign up for either the Single MOS Certification Bundle - $69 or the Triple MOS Certification Bundle - $189. • If you choose to go for a certification Good Luck. Then not only will we make the “Leap to Remarkable” but may we all become Office Superstars!

18. 70/70 Membership Drive Help celebrate 70 years! In celebration of IAAP reaching its 70th anniversary, IAAP is offering administrative professionals a special price when they join the association as a new member. From now until December 31, 2012, new members can join IAAP at the chapter, division and international level – all for one $70.00 price. 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: OfficePro magazine, OfficePro 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-OM 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? $70.00 to join $15 Processing fee for new members; first year only Please contact Ymelda Calvillo, CAP-OM 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.

19. Welcome New Members Membership Enrollment Payment Plan Did you know that our 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, CAP-OM for details Renee Ball, CAP is employed by University of Houston-Clear Lake. She earned her CAP in 2007. She is married, has four children, eleven grandchildren, and a mini schnauzer named Sassy. Renee also is active in the Bay Area Genealogy Association. Joanne Vasami is aSr. Administrative Assistant with The University of Texas Medical Branch. She is passionate about reading, cooking, and dancing. She plans on hang-gliding and taking shooting lessons. Wow!

20. EFAM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION CONTEST Clear Lake NASA Area Chapter is well on its way to becoming a 2011 – 2012 Chapter of Excellence! Becoming a Member of Excellence helps our chapter achieve set goals and you can win a trip to Grapevine, TX to attend the 2012 International Education Forum & Annual Meeting (EFAM). This year (2011 – 2012) our Members of Excellence will get the chance to put their name into a drawing to attend EFAM.  The chapter will pay for two conference registrations and hotel – all you have to do is become a Member of Excellence – and notify Billie Hall once you’ve received your MOE from IAAP Headquarters.  Last year we had 17 members obtain this special distinction – those are pretty good odds for winning! Your involvement in T-L 2012 can help you become a Member of Excellence – contact Billie Hall, CAP for more information.  You’re already excellent – get the reward for it! Member Commitment Form Gaylord Texan Hotel – site of IAAP EFAM!  Members of Excellence have a chance to win the drawing and stay in the chapter room here!

21. Visual Aids & PowerPoint Helping you present professionallyVisual aids are an important part of many presentations. The most commonly used media are the flipchart and computer-based presentation programs. Here are some suggestions for making the most of your visual aids: Flipchart A flipchart mounted on a portable easel works best when used with a relatively small audience – 20 or fewer people. A flipchart can be prepared prior to your presentation. You can also write or draw during your presentation – especially to record audience responses. Use bold colors, but avoid using ink that bleeds through the paper. Don’t look at your flipchart when speaking. If you must write on the flipchart, pause, then resume speaking when you’re done. Use small strips of masking tape to facilitate changing from one page to the next. Computer-based visuals The technology is rapidly changing. These days, using a laptop computer and presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint is the norm. Add a screen and other equipment, and you can produce and display dramatic visual aids, including animation and simulations. Computer-based visuals are becoming the standard for most technical, educational or business-related presentations. Useful for large and small audiences, they can convey simple as well as complex information. If you use a remote control, you can change the visuals while walking about the room • To accomplish this you’ll need a data projector, a device that accepts output from a computer and projects it onto a screen. Plan to create the visuals in advance, to ensure all of the electronic components work together and be sure to rehearse with them. • Keep your visual aids: • Visible • Simple • Colorful, but don't let them upstage you • Justified by the content -- not too many or too few slides • For effective PowerPoint shows: • Don't read the slides to your audience! • Make your text large. • Choose colors that make the text easier to read. • Use bullet points instead of full sentences. • Don't let the text or graphics fly around too much. • Avoid charts and diagrams that are hard to see. Most Importantly - Remember, you control the presentation; don’t let it control you. PowerPoint should be a “visual aid” – not the entire show. • CLNAC granted permission to include Tips from Toastmasters; © 2011 Toastmasters International. All rights reserved.

22. International Association of Administrative Professionals Clear Lake / NASA Area Chapter Administrative Professionals Week Celebration April 16, 2012 “Top of the World - Teambuilding - Trust, Communication, Commitment” Scott Parazynski - Remarkable Story Return to Mt. Everest Expedition by Scott Parazynski, M.D. Chief Medical Officer at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute and former NASA Astronaut 1 CPS Educational Recertification approved Cost: $22.50 program & dinner $10.00 program only *Online Pay Pal payment option available.* Dinner: Roasted Pork Loin Ceasar Salad Rice Pilaf Green Beans Almondine Time: 5:45 Networking / Dinner 6:45 Program 7:45 Good of the Order 8:00 Adjourn Location: Hilton Garden Inn – Clear Lake/NASA 750 W. Texas Avenue Webster, TX 75987 Join the Clear Lake/NASA Area Chapter as we celebrate Administrative Professionals Week with Scott Parazynski, M.D., former NASA Astronaut who will share his remarkable story of how he went where no astronaut has gone before - the top of the world - Mt. Everest Summit In this program, he will present team building skills: 1. Choosing team members and building trust – Dr. Parazynski discusses the key components of how he chose his team to help him become the first astronaut to summit Mt. Everest and the decision to turn around on the first attempt. 2. Communication - Overcoming obstacles and barriers in communicating both in the office and internationally. 3. Commitment - the ability to follow through with your task. Reservations: Please make your reservation via our web site, www.iaap-clnac.org by Thursday, April 12 at 5:00 p.m. For more information, contact Frances Jackson at 832-668-2728, or e-mail reservations@iaap-clnac.org. Payment accepted at the door.

24. COMMUNITY SERVICE Life Savers for Our Life Savers Please bring in rolls, boxes, bags, or whatever you can find Life Savers packaged in for our April Monthly Meeting! We will donate these to Help Our Military Endure (HOME) to be sent to US troops. You’ll receive an extra door prize ticket for making a donation. Avery Box Tops for EducationWe continue to accept Box Tops for Education coupons at our 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 how quickly they add up! We collected over 1,000 coupons during our first drive, so let’s keep it going and snip those Box Tops for Education!  We have a collection box available at our monthly meetings. Help Our Military Endure (HOME) The Community Service Committee continues tosupport our troops around the world.  So we are planninga postcard writing campaign.  This will give us the opportunity to thank these dedicated soldiers for protecting us and our democratic way of life.  We’ll provide the postcards and pens so that members can take a moment to write and send a greeting.  We will also be collecting items for care packages.  Participation is voluntary!

25. CLNAC, USA, and Boeing Women In Leadership (BWIL) Points of Contact are teaming up to collect DRESS FOR SUCCESS donations on behalf of International Association of Administrative Professionals IAAP® Deadline is Friday, March 30, 2012 We challenge you to go through your closets and bring at least one item .…or more!

26. DOOR PRIZE COMMITTEE By Billie Hall, CAP The Door Prize Committee is a very rewarding committee! After all, everyone loves to receive a “prize”.  Shortly after I joined the chapter I decided to help with this committee.  It looked like it could be a lot of fun to put these prizes together and I was right! It also seemed like a good way to get to know everyone.  At first I was a little concerned about not having enough items for the baskets, but once I got started that thought was soon diminished.  The chapter members donate “gifts” to make up baskets that are given at each meeting.  Gifts that include spa items, knick knacks, office supplies, books, decorations, jewelry, craft items, gardening, etc.   Then at each meeting two baskets are given to two lucky winners. There are times that so many items are donated that you have more than two baskets.  It is a little challenge to collect and group items together as far as colors, types, etc., but when you finally get it all together and put a bow on it, it really feels like you have accomplished something.  Then when the baskets are given away the oh’s and ahh’s make it all worthwhile.   If you enjoy crafting or making baskets just let us know, you may want to join this committee. Help fill our baskets! There is an ample supply of baskets. But we are in need of items to place in them. If you have new or unused office supplies, decorations, jewelry, or other items you would like to donate, please contact Billie Hall, CAP (Billie.Hall@leaguecity.com). Stay connected, if you have recently moved or changed your e-mail address, send your new contact information to membership@iaap-hq.org.

27. Visit Avery.com to learn more on how to create your own barcode using Avery TrueBlock® Technology. CLNAC President-Elect Rachael Venable, CAP-OM discovered a new technology using free Avery Dennison software and square labels to design a barcode. Using a barcode scanner available on most smart phones (free downloaded app) you scan the barcode below to connect digitally to the CLNAC Webpage. Scan this barcode to access IAAP Clear Lake NASA Area Chapter webpage

28. Telecommuting a Tempting Option Hoping to telecommute? Your chances could be better than you think. High-speed and wireless Internet access has made this work style much easier than in the past. Many professionals are choosing to telecommute not only because it’s convenient, but also because it allows them greater work-life balance. In addition, rising gas prices and lengthy commutes have made working from home — or even cafés and satellite offices — an appealing option. If you would like to telecommute, build a business case and note how the change in your work environment would also benefit your employer. For example, working from home may lead to increased productivity by reducing the number of times you are interrupted throughout the day. Of course, not all positions lend themselves to remote arrangements. Jobs that require a great deal of face time with colleagues or customers, for instance, cannot be performed outside the office. However, if your role allows for flexibility, you may want to discuss working remotely with your manager. If it’s determined that working from home is a practical option for you, keep the following considerations in mind: Availability. Let everyone know which days you will be working from home and give them your contact information. Check in frequently and pledge to return phone calls or emails within a given period of time. Assure your boss you can come into the office if you are urgently needed. Accountability. Your manager’s biggest fear is likely that you will be unproductive without close supervision. Keep him or her informed of your progress by submitting a weekly report of your activities, or setting up regular evaluation meetings to review your accomplishments. Activity. Give your manager a list that shows which of your job activities will be accomplished at home versus in the office. Include information on how you will ensure key relationships with coworkers are not negatively affected. This will show your boss that your absence will not affect the progress of group projects. By considering all aspects of telecommuting and demonstrating the advantages in your particular case, you may soon find yourself among those who dial, rather than drive, into work. OfficeTeam 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.

29. Top 10 Reasons Top Ten Ways I Know I'm an April FoolApril is here again - it seems to arrive about this time nearly every year. The blooming flowers and sparkling, beautiful days got me thinking about April, and what an April Fool I really am. So I compiled a list of the Top Ten Ways I Know I'm an April Fool - see if any of these apply to you too!10. I leave the top down overnight on my 10-year-old convertible, betting against April Showers.9.  Despite all previous experience, I spend hundreds of dollars and dozens of hours buying and spreading fresh mulch, believing that it will stay that rich dark color for more than a week.8.  I volunteer to coach pee-wee baseball, thinking I won't get hit at least one time in the shins with an aluminum bat.7.  I leave the newspapers on the top of the recycling containers at the curb, betting that March is already finished "going out like a lion."6.  I skip cutting the grass for one week, thinking that this early in the season there's no way it will grow so much that it chokes out my mower.5.  I paint the porch railings, again betting against April Showers.4.  I sit down on the porch chair for morning coffee without wiping the chair off first, thinking there's not THAT much pollen floating around.3.  After getting up from the chair, I neglect to check my backside before going to work.2.  I arrive at church for the Easter service ten minutes before it starts, thinking we'll get seats.1.  I am continually grateful that Spring springs eternal, because I am a Happy Fool for April!Chuck Hansen is an associate member of the IAAP-Old Dominion Chapter, a motivational speaker, an award-winning humor writer and author of two books, including "Build Your Castles in the Air: Thoreau's Inspiring Advice for Success in Business (& Life) in the 21st Century." He can be reached at chuck@chuckhansen.com or www.chuckhansen.com.

30. Launch Dates • February - April: Membership DriveDuring this time any new member who completes the following application will not pay Chapter Dues.  That’s a $20 savings! • 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 HayesApril 16 • CLNAC Meeting Hilton Garden Inn – Banquet Room • Administrative Professionals Week CelebrationApril 25 • Administrative Professionals Day • April 21 • 7:30 – 11:30 am • Inter-City Council APW Breakfast ICC APW Breakfast • Hosted by The Galveston County Chapter • Hilton Garden Inn, Webster, TX • May 18 - 20 • Texas-Louisiana Annual Meeting and Education Forum • South Shore Harbour Resort, League City, TX • July 21 - 25 • Education Forum and Annual Meeting 2012 Grapevine EFAM • Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center, Grapevine, TX • Please visit our website for more information. www.iaap-clnac.org

31. 2011-2012 Chapter Officers and Committees Anniversaries Sharon Parks Mar 1993 19 years Jackie Almanza Mar 2000 12 years Glenda Faulkner Mar 2008 4 years Betty Spears Mar 2009 3 years Carmen Young Apr 1999 13 years Julie Victory Apr 2001 11 years Joylyn Busch Apr 2002 10 years Donna Rodgers Apr 2003 9 years Stephanie Curry Apr 2006 6 years Terri Markle Apr 2006 6 years Tonia McDaniel Apr 2006 6 years Rachael Venable Apr 2008 4 years Maria Contreras Apr 2009 3 years Karen Dotson Apr 2009 3 yearsKimberly Ramirez Apr 2010 2 years Birthdays Shayne Abramowitz Mar 5 Lynn Rowan Mar 6 Marilyn Bryant Mar 9 Dana Rogers Mar 23 Lisa Kumbalek Mar 25 Pat Cannon Apr 4 Gina Ibañez Apr 16 Tracy Banks Apr 17 Julie Victory Apr 25 Kathy Wells Apr 25 Sylvia Miehle Apr 27

32. Something to think about… “Success is the abilityto go from one failure to anotherwith no loss of enthusiasm.” Quote by Sir Winston Churchill • Prayer Requests: • Healing for Natasha Spradley, daughter-in-law of Michelle Spradley • O’Malley Family • Healing for Brianna Halata, daughter of Celeste Halata • Healing for mother of Lisa Garcia • Healing for Irene Dillon www.iaap-hq.org IAAP Headquarters www.iaap-txla.org IAAP Texas-Louisiana Division www.iaap-clnac.org IAAP Clear Lake/NASA Area Chapter