MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011.

tD A I LY

1 3 - PA G E S P E C I A LE X T R A

ADMINISTRATIVE

PROFESSIONALS

– EQUIPPED

FOR THE TASK... READY TO ACHIEVE

(Internet images.)

(FP)

THE BAOP BOARD: (Sitting from left): Donna Wade, treasurer; Linda Coombs, president; Angela Carter, president elect; (standing, from left):Esther Tull, assistant secretary treasurer; Sandra Hinds, corresponding secretary; Carlyn Waithe, recording secretary; and (inset) Janice Williams,immediate past president. (GP)

2. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. DAILY NATION EXTRA.ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS – EQUIPPED FOR THE TASK...READY TO ACHIEVE

SINCE 1952, the InternationalAssociation of AdministrativeProfessionals (IAAP) has honored office workers by sponsoring AdministrativeProfessionals Week.

Today, it is one of the largestworkplace observances outside of employee birthdays and major holidays.

In 2000, IAAP announced a name change for ProfessionalSecretaries Week and ProfessionalSecretaries Day.

The names were changed toAdministrative Professionals Week and AdministrativeProfessionals Day to keep pace withchanging job titles and expandingresponsibilities of today’sadministrative workforce.

Over the years, AdministrativeProfessionals Week has become one ofthe largest workplace observances.

The event is celebrated worldwide,

bringing together millions of people for community events, educationalseminars and individual corporateactivities recognising support staff.

Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries andadministrative assistants working in the United States alone, accordingto United States Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 millionpeople working in variousadministrative support roles.

More than 475 000 administrativeprofessionals are employed in Canada. Millions more administrativeprofessionals work in offices all over the world.

Administrative Professional Week is always celebrated the last fullweek in April.

This year, it runs from April 24-30, with AdministrativeProfessionals Day on Wednesday, April 27.

SEVERAL activities have been planned to mark this year’s Barbados Association of Office Professionals (BAOP) Week,which runs from April 24 to April 30.

The week gets started with a churchservice on Sunday, April 24, 9:30 a.m., at Sharon Moravian Church, Sharon, St Thomas. This will be followed onTuesday, April 26, with the SecondarySchools’ Seminar from 8:30 a.m to noon, at the Barbados Community College’sauditorium.

Chief Executive Officer and Publisher of The Nation Publishing CompanyLimited, Vivian-Anne Gittens, will be theguest speaker at the Annual Luncheon,scheduled for Hilton Barbados onWednesday, April 27.

On August, 28, National Heroes Day, Dr Leo Brewster, director of the CoastalZone Management Unit, will lead memberson a coastal walk from Brandon’s Beach,St. Michael, to Crystal Cove Hotel, St James. The walk starts at 7 a.m.

The week of activities climaxes with two activities. BAOP members will donate a food hamper to the HIV/AIDS Food Bankon April 29, at 12:30 p.m, and host an afterwork lime and mini golf tournament atDivi Southwinds Hotel, from 5:30 p.m, that same day.

Reason forweek remainsthe same

Series ofevents behindcelebration

years

1970 - 2010

DAILY NATION EXTRA, MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. 3.ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS – EQUIPPED FOR THE TASK...READY TO ACHIEVE

Message from LINDACOOMBS, presidentBAOP 2010 to 2011.

IN TODAY’S diverse and rapidly changingbusiness environment,the continuing trendamong administrativeprofessionals is to engage in life-longlearning.

In doing so we seek toidentify our corecompetencies, mastervarious managementand technical skills andharness our ability to bemultiskilled.

How relevant is thisaction plan as we seek tovalidate our efforts?

Are we equipping

ourselves for futureleadership opportunities?

Are we using everyavailable opportunity tomake meaningfulcontributions asorganisations continue tointroduce best practicesfor their futuredevelopment andexpansion?

Are ouradministrative goalsaligned with thebusiness goals of thecompany?

Do we resist changeand accept the statusquo or do we positionourselves to becomeagents of change?

Are we flexible and

open to embrace theconstant challenges of down-sizing, right-sizing and, whenrequired, flexing ourentrepreneurial arm tooffer our skills andservices to multipleorganisations instead ofone organisation?

As we equip ourselves

for the varying tasks,roles, challenges andopportunities in theorganisation, we mustcontinually allow forgreater flexibility andadaptability in thechanging workplace andseek innovative methodsto achieve and ensureefficiency.

Colleagues, as weobserve AdministrativeProfessionals Week letus remember that withdiversity of thought,education and workexperience we can chart a course for thesuccessful attainment of both our personal andprofessional goals.

Continualtraining key to job

LINDA COOMBS (GP)

BAOPCHAIRPERSONS:(standing, fromleft) DianaHoldipp, JanetSealy, ClovineLeslie, MaxineInniss, SandraGriffith-Carrington,(sitting, from left)Olivia Birch,Veronica King and Lorna Bryan.(GP)

4. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. DAILY NATION EXTRA.ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS – EQUIPPED FOR THE TASK...READY TO ACHIEVE

Message from MaryRamsay-Drow,CPS/CAP

2011 InternationalPresident,

InternationalAssociation ofAdministrativeProfessionals, forAdministrativeProfessionals Day

ON AdministrativeProfessionals Day wehonor administrativeprofessionals workingin all capacities of office life.

This year, as the global economy recovers fromthe downturn, we include all office professionalswho have made a contribution in their workplace. To the office workers in Barbados, we salute youduring this week set aside annually to honoradministrative professionals.

At the International Association ofAdministrative Professionals, (IAAP) we takeseriously the work of the administrativeprofessionals. We are here to advance theprofession.

Our mission is to enhance the success ofcareer-minded administrative professionals byproviding opportunities for growth througheducation, community building and leadershipdevelopment.

We believe that administrative personnel arethe cornerstone of the office. I wish all the officeworkers – those who keep the office runningsmoothly and efficiently – a happyAdministrative Professionals Day.

Message from KarleneBurgess MBA, CPS,president 2010 to 2012,Caribbean Association of AdministrativeProfessionals forAdministrativeProfessionals Week (April 24 to 30, 2011)

ON BEHALF of the 2010– 2012 Executive of theCaribbean Association of AdministrativeProfessionals (CAAP), Iwould like to extend greetings andbest wishes to all administrativeprofessionals throughout the regionas we celebrate the 59th observanceof Administrative Professionals Weekhighlighting the theme,Administrative professionals –Equipped for the task… Ready to achieve.

The origins of the secretarialprofession are not known, but thereis evidence that secretaries existedprior to the establishment of theRoman empire.

For most of its history, thisprofession was exclusively filled byeducated men who often acted astrusted advisors to political leadersand other powerful people.

Secretaries gained elevated statusduring the 15th and 16th centuriesas world trade expanded and peopleof wealth and power neededsecretaries to handle correspondenceon private or confidential matters,most particularly, matters of state.

Since then, more than 300 yearslater, the profession still exists and iseven more prominent and dynamic.We are still held in high esteem and

considered confidants by ourcolleagues and managers.

Over the years, our profession hasstood the test of time, and hasembraced and survived manychallenges.

Our profession continues to be in astate of evolution, which has led tosecretaries/administrativeassistants/administrativeprofessionals being assigned moreresponsibilities now than were givento them in the past.

We are, because of the digital age,able to be more productive anddedicate more time to tasks thatrequire highly developed decisionmaking, business or organisationalskills; and play more strategic roleswithin the organisation.

We continue to be keyprofessionals working with leadersand managers in public and privatesector entities. To enhance thoserequired business skills; maximiseour impact on the organisation, andbe highly productive and valuable,we must constantly equip ourselvesto take advantage of newdevelopments not only for our ownadvancement, but also for the

betterment of the organisations thatwe serve.

The CAAP executive remainsresolute in carrying out the mainmission of the association, which is‘to be the recognised leader in theprovision of education and trainingfor secretaries and administrativeprofessionals within the region, andto enhance the individual andcollective skills of its members.

We will continue to work with ourCaribbean partners to equipadministrative professionals with thenecessary skills and knowledge tomeet the increasing demands in theworkplace.

To celebrate this very importantweek, a number of events have beenplanned. Congratulations andcommendations to the presidents andtheir members for coordinating theseevents.

To all secretaries andadministrative professionals within the Caribbean, do have an informative and rewardingAdministrative Professionals Week 2011.

Celebratinghonourableprofession

Lauding contributionof all office workers

MARY RAMSAY-DROW (GP)

KARLENE BURGESS (GP)

Call us at 431 2800 or visit sagicorgeneral.com

“Our unified, well-trained, highly motivated, professional administrative team has been a key element in our company’s success.

They have continually demonstrated their commitment to excellence”

Alicia Lynch Cheryne Corbin Elaine Holford-Sealy

Richardine Alleyne

Heather NegahdarGrantley Bailey

Shanna Nurse Shanna StreeksPrincess Watts

Mario Blackett

by FREIDA NICHOLLSmarketing and publicrelations specialist

THE THEME of the 14thAnnual Conference of theBarbados Association ofOffice Professionals wasWaves of Change –Oceans of Opportunity,and in my presentation inthe Plenary Session onOceans of OpportunityI challenged officeprofessionals to preparethemselves to takeadvantage of anyopportunity for growthand success that maypresent itself.

I also reminded themthat opportunities can becreated.

The changing businessenvironment

The businessenvironment has changeddramatically over the pastten years.

We are in a competitivedigital age, and rapidglobalisation has foreverchanged the way weinteract with the world.

There are loud calls formore ethics and socialresponsibility in the waywe conduct our business.

We have to respondpositively to the impact ofthe recession – sitting andwaiting for something tohappen just will not cut it.

Additionally, the agestructure of the world’spopulation is changing,with a significantpercentage of over 60sbaby boomers andburgeoning numbers ofyoung techno-savvy under-25-year-olds.

Not to be left out ofconsideration is thechanging political andsocial environment, andevents in the Middle Eastrequire us to pay closeattention.

Are you prepared?

You have to askyourselves some searchingquestions: What is yourdream? Do you even havea dream? Have you setgoals for yourself?

What is your role inyour company? Howknowledgeable are you oncurrent affairs – local,regional andinternational? And howwill these issues impactyour company?

The Rihannaexperience

Say what you will,there is no disputing themasterful marketingstrategy that is being usedto further Rihanna’ssuccess.

Her management has skillfully executed a well-crafted plan toensure her optimum

marketability. Her recording releases

target the fastest growingsegment of the worldwideweb – Internet sales.

Her portfolio isdiversified – she is anentertainer, and she alsomodels for the world’s topdesigners.

She has securedlucrative endorsementdeals with Kodak, Doritos,and Cover Girl. She isfeatured in Vogue – theworld’s leading fashionpublication, and she is the only non-athlete to have a multi-million dollarendorsement contract withsports powerhouse Nike.

Rihanna hasdiversified into movies,securing a supporting rolein the film Battleshipscheduled for release in2012, and she successfullylaunched her new perfumeline Reb’l Fleur.

She continuallyreinvents her persona,effectively distancingherself from Beyonce.Rihanna now owns theimage of red hair, and isinstantly recognised allover the world.

Is Rihanna’s success luck?

Many people will saythat Rihanna was justlucky, but luck is whenopportunity meetspreparation.

Luck is the residue ofdesign. In other words, ifRihanna had not beenprepared and shownpotential to be a complete‘package’ at that auditionwith Evans Rogers, therewould never have been thenext step.

How many people in theworkplace are preparedwhen an opportunity forpromotion or newresponsibilities arepresented?

Your personal strategic plan

Just like Rihanna’smanagement team did,you must develop yourown personal strategicplan. Define your purpose– what do you want toaccomplish?

Next you must identifyyour objectives and goalsfor the short term.

Clarify how you willreach your goals – do youneed to upgrade yourskills and qualifications, or improve your

communication capability,or enhance your personaldevelopment?

Prepare a SWOTanalysis, just as acompany would do. Assessyour strengths and yourweaknesses, look foropportunities anddetermine the threats.Then make an action plan

that will ensure that youachieve your goals andmake you more of an assetto your company orbusiness.

Finally, you mustmonitor your progress.Ask for feedback from yourboss, your colleagues, frommanagement. Periodicallyadjust your plan to adapt

to changes in themarketplace, and look foropportunities to enableyou to continually be instep with those changes.

It begins and ends withyou.

• Freida Nicholls can be reached atfreidaeagle@hotmail.com

DAILY NATION EXTRA, MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. 5.ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS – EQUIPPED FOR THE TASK...READY TO ACHIEVE

Opportunities –found and created

FREIDA NICHOLLS (GP)

6. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. DAILY NATION EXTRA.ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS – EQUIPPED FOR THE TASK...READY TO ACHIEVE

Message from Sandra Griffith-Carrington, recipient of the Education Award 2009/2010

CONGRATULATIONS to alladministrative professionals!

Our theme for this year,Administrative Professionals –Equipped for the Task...Readyto achieve. prompted me to askthe question: Are officeprofessionals truly equipped for the task?

In this dynamic environment, itis important that everyadministrative professional beequipped for the task.

The office of an administrativeprofessional calls for an individualwho is multi-skilled and can multi-task in a seamless manner.

Our complex tasks includewriting effective businesscorrespondence, implementing andmanaging projects involving research,planning, coordinating meetings,scheduling and maintaining calendarsystems for our executives, creatingand maintaining databases, developingand maintaining electronic filingsystems, ordering office supplies,maintaining inventories, working withvendors and creating spreadsheets.The list is not exhausted.

It is crucial that office professionalsbe good communicators with the abilityto adapt to different personalities andmanagement styles while remaininghighly composed as the representativesof our organisations in this globalisedenvironment.

Professional success is therefore notan accident; office professionals must

be equipped for the task. One way thatthis is achieved is by taking advantageof educational offers.

The Mighty Sparrow in his songEducation Is Essential reiteratesthat education is the key to success.Sparrow’s lyrics have endured andsurvived the test of time.

Personally, this song impacted onme at a young age, echoing the wordsof my mother and leaving an indeliblemotivation on my life.

It is true that you need more thaneducation to be a well-rounded personand have competitive advantage, butas Sparrow opines, it is essential tohave education if you want to earnbetter than average pay.

The University of the West Indies

(UWI), the premier university in theregion, has given office professionalsthroughout the region an opportunityto expand their knowledge and remainon the cutting-edge by its expansion ofdegrees in management.

These include Banking and Finance,Management with Psychology,Management with Spanish, Economics

and Management.The UWI has also responded to

the dynamic environment throughits fourth and newest campus, theOpen Campus. This virtualcampus embraces the open andflexible approach to the delivery ofinstruction anchored on new andemerging information andcommunication technologies.

UWI Open Campus allows alloffice professionals the benefit offulfilling their mandate at workwhile expanding their education on line.

The campus’ uniquedistinctiveness of flexibility,accessibility and affordabilityallows office professionals the dualbenefit of equipping themselves ata pace which accommodates theirwork life balance while remaining in the office.

Finally, I encourage you, as you equip yourselves, to also build purposefully and passionately on your foundation. Create a road mapto success by identifying where youwant to go.

Explore avenues, venture inunchartered seas, take on newresponsibilities and challenges, updateyour professional skills, maximise yourpotential and expand your knowledgewhile fulfilling your role as a valuableasset to your organisation.

• Sandra Griffith-Carrington is the Marketing and CommunicationsAssistant, UWI Open Campus. She has worked in thesecretarial/administrative professional field for 28 years.

Challenge:Equip yourself

for dynamicfield

SANDRA GRIFFITH-CARRINGTON (GP)

DAILY NATION EXTRA, MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. 7.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS – EQUIPPED FOR THE TASK...READY TO ACHIEVE

THERE WAS A TIMEwhen cocktail partieswere meant to be theaffairs of only the highand mighty.

However, the concepthas become quitecommon these days,especially in thecorporate world. Still,not many people arecomfortable withcocktail parties, mostlybecause they are new tothe concept. Are you oneamong them? If yes, the cocktail partyetiquette listed in the following lineswould prove extremely useful to you,ensuring that you do not end up doingsomething unacceptable at such a party.

RSVP: If you have received a formalinvitation for a cocktail party, it isimportant to acknowledge it, throughRSVP. In case a self-addressed stampedenvelope has been provided by the host,make sure to post it, indicating whetheryou would be able to attend the party ornot. If there is no envelope, either callthe host or send your reply by letter.

Dress: While dressing up for acocktail party, you need to keep in mindthe nature of the event. If it is a cocktailbuffet,semi-formal or casual attire willdo well. In the case of a cocktail party,you are required to dress up semi-formally. Cocktail receptions however,require very formal attire.

Mingling: If you have been invited toa cocktail party, keep in mind the factthat the whole purpose behind such anevent, is to give you a chance to minglewith new people, make or solidify yourconnections, and even strike deals. So,make sure that you do not end up sitting

in a corner nursing a drink. Speak topeople and even allow them to introduceyou to other people.

Eating: You need to follow properetiquette while eating at a cocktailparty. Be sure to take a napkinwhenever you eat something. Whenappetisers are served choose, and eat,one at a time – in its entirety. If the foodis being served in a buffet, do not maketoo many trips to the table.

Drinking: Always use a glass forbeverages. Never drink from a bottle orcan. If you are having wine, rememberthat a red wine glass is held by the bowl,while the white wine glass should beheld by the stem. Never ever place yourdrink on tables or surfaces that maystain. Always limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Basic manners: There are certainbasic manners that need to be followedat a cocktail party as well. For instance,always maintain eye contact when youare talking to someone. Be polite whilerequesting something from the partystaff. Do not forget to say ‘thank you’ tothe host and hostess before leaving theparty and even bid farewell to otherguests.

Be attuned to business

of socialising

9.

LOUISA NURSE (left), addresses members of the Barbados Associationof Office Professionals. At her right is Veronica King, chairperson of the Planning Committee. (GP)

8. ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS – EQUIPPED FOR THE TASK...READY TO ACHIEVE

LAST FEBRUARY, members ofthe Barbados Association ofOffice Professionals held aspecial Valentine’s Day meetingduring which time they got upclose and personal with eachother.

They spent the eveningfellowshipping with one anotherand allowing each other torecognise their importance to theorganisation.

The meeting took place at theClock Tower room at the GarrisonSavannah, where membersmingled and had lots of fun.

Entertainment was provided byveteran entertainer Mark Lorde.

Here, we present highlights ofthat meeting.

ENTERTAINER MARK LORD, as heentertained the members of the BarbadosAssociation of Office Professionals. (GP)

CHAIRPERSON of the Membership Committee, Maxine Inniss (top left), hasthe full attention of committee member, Gloria Jones. (GP)

MEMBERS OF the Barbados Association of Office Professionals get down to business, during their Valentine’s Daymeeting earlier this year. (GP)

Members mixand minglefor Valentines

JANET SEALY, publicity chairperson,makes a point during the special meeting.(GP)

MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. DAILY NATION EXTRA. ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS – EQUIPPED FOR THE TASK...READY TO ACHIEVE

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIESCAVE HILL CAMPUS

”The companies that survive longest are the ones that work out what they uniquely can give to the world not just growth or money but their excellence, their respect for others, or their ability to make people happy. Some call those things a soul.”

Administrative StaffSalutes

its

Thank YouCharles Handy

for your hard work and dedication

10. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. DAILY NATION EXTRA.ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS – EQUIPPED FOR THE TASK...READY TO ACHIEVE

DURING a classical or other low-intensity concert,talking and moving around are big distractions tothose around you. When attending such a concert,keep these seven simple rules in mind.

• Enter and exit your seat only betweenselections. If possible, wait until the audience isapplauding before moving. The only exception to thisis if you need to remove a restless or crying child.

• Don’t talk during a performance. If you musttalk to your neighbor, always whisper directly intotheir ear so that those around you cannot hear yourcomments.

• Cell phones must be turned off or kept onvibrate.

• If your performance venue allows you to eat inthe auditorium, do not unwrap candy or slurp sodawhile the musicians are playing.

• It is customary to applaud when the conductorfirst comes out on the stage. He or she will bow toacknowledge the audience's applause and theconcert will begin.

• Some classical pieces of music are broken downinto parts called “movements”. In between thesemovements the music will stop for a few seconds. Do not applaud until the conductor has dropped hishands and has turned around to acknowledge theaudience.

• Whistling, yelling, or otherwise congratulatingthe performers is generally not appropriate forclassical music concerts.

• Compiled by Louisa Nurse, EDEM, AAA,CAP, CPS.

THERE ARE many social differences across theglobe and many customs and terms with which youmay not be familiar. Here are a few dining tips thatcome to-mind:

• In England, “Spotted Dick” is a dessert, not avenereal disease

• In Japan, if you are served a small smokedhunk of meat, it’s not meant to be eaten whole.(Man, they’re crunchy) It’s a smoked sparrow, andyou are supposed to pick the meat off the breastwith your chopsticks.

• In the United States, “Rocky Mountain Oysters”are not seafood, they are beef testicles. If you havethe balls, also try ordering the “Sheep Fries” or“Rooster Fries”. In the southern United States,remember the phrase: “It takes guts to orderchitlins”.

• In the Upstate New York area, if someoneapproaches you asking if you want a “speedy”, theyare not a speed-pusher. Instead, a “Spiedie” is adelicious shish kebab.

• In Britain, if you find a large scab on yourbreakfast plate, it’s “Black Pudding”. A bloodsausage, served at breakfast. It goes great with thefried toast and fried tomatoes.

• In France, be aware! An “inhabited cheese”contains living organisms.

• Compiled by Louisa Nurse, EDEM, AAA,CAP, CPS.

Quirky cultural differences to note

A CONCERT, classical recital or any other social event calls for different degrees of etiquette. Be mindful of your P’s and Q’s when out and about. (FP)

Soundingoff onconcertetiquette

DAILY NATION EXTRA, MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. 11.

WE AREESSENTIALLYwhat we believeourselves to be.

Many of us haveour favouritequotations, sayingsand philosophies,which help toshape our lives. Below are some carefullychosen positive quotations which we canall adopt:

• No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it. – Andrew Carnegie

• If you want to win friends, make it a point to remember them. If youremember my name, you pay me a subtlecompliment; you indicate that I havemade an impression on you. Remembermy name and you add to my feeling ofimportance. – Dale Carnegie

• Failure is an integral part of everysuccess story. – Leussa Adrienne

• Whatever you focus on is what youget; negative or positive, so focus on thepositive and you’ll bring more positiveinto your life. – Marion Licchiello

• Life is problems, success is solvingproblems, and all achievers are problemssolvers. When problems surface, it is anopportunity to learn something youdidn’t know before then. Be preparedbecause they will surely come.– Balogun M. Adewale

• Instead of saying: ‘It is not thateasy’, why not say: ‘it is not thatdifficult’. – Author Unknown

• Obstacles are necessary for successbecause in all careers of importance,victory comes only after many strugglesand countless defeats. Yet each struggle,each defeat, sharpens your skills andstrengths, your courage and yourendurance, your ability and yourconfidence and thus each obstacle is acomrade-in-arms forcing you to becomebetter or quit. Each rebuff is anopportunity to move forward; turn awayfrom them, avoid them, and you throwaway your future. – Og Mandino

• When you see the value of continued growth, the circumstancesaround you become stepping stones.– Clyde M. Narrimore

• Sometimes the greatest testimoniescome out of the greatest challenges.– Samuel Innocent

• Of all the things that you trade off, never trade off your integrity. – Osayande Akenuwa

• Success is neither magical normysterious. Success is the naturalconsequence of consistently applying thebasic fundamentals. – Jim Rohn

• It is the man who carefully advancesstep by step, with his mind becomingwider and wider ... who is bound tosucceed. – Alexander Graham Bell

Words to liveand work by

www.lime.com LIME. For living. Everyday.

Thanks, Team Terrific. Our warm appreciation goes out to our terrific Office Professionals who are dedicated to delivering excellence and efficiency. Your commitment and support is invaluable to us.Together we Win as One - Everyday.

RESPECT. DELIVER. INNOVATE. WIN.

12. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. DAILY NATION EXTRA.ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS – EQUIPPED FOR THE TASK...READY TO ACHIEVE

by SANDRA GRIFFITH-CARRINGTON

I BECAME a member of theBarbados Association of FutureOffice Professionals (BAFOP) acouple of years ago. When Ijoined this association, I was notan office professional.

I attended a couple ofmeetings in the then secretariat,upstairs Imperial Optical on St Michael’s Row. I rememberedmissing one meeting andreceiving a call about myabsence. I remembered saying tothe individual: “I will try tocome the next time.”

I missed another meeting andreceived a warning letter. I wastold if I continued to missconsecutive meetings after thewarning letter, I would receive atermination letter. That was mywake-up call. I said to my self,“Boy, these people are serious;they mean business.”

As a past president of theBarbados Association of FutureOffice Professionals (BAFOP), ateacher, lay preacher, mother,wife, Sunday school teacher,dance leader and a young personactively involved with otheryoung people, there is a need tobe committed, self-sacrificingand dedicated.

Commitment is defined as apledge to do or the trait of beingsincere.

I teach professionally, and I have to be committed to thosechildren whom I teach. I cannotdecide to teach one week andthen every two weeks if I

am tired. I ask you today, what about

your commitment to BAFOP orto any group of which you are apart?

To be committed, you muststay focused, and to excel, wemust chart our paths, whetherwe’re planning for a trip;planning to study, or simplyattend monthly meetings whenthey are called.

The second word is self-sacrifice. This means sacrificingone’s personal interests or well-being for the sake of others orfor a cause.

SacrificeChrist was self-sacrificial; He

gave His only Begotten Son forus. Jesus in turn sacrificed Hisliving and life for us. Hesacrificed His living by givingHis personal life to God’sservice, and He sacrificed Hislife by dying on the cross andshedding his blood for ourforgiveness. Both His living andlife were dedicated to God. Wemust focus on being livingsacrifices daily.

There is a story told of ayoung boy whose older brotherwas involved in a car crash. Thefather approached the youngerson shortly after the crash andsaid: “Son, your older brotherneeds a blood transfusion inorder to live. The doctors havedetermined that only you canprovide this blood. Will you doso, so your brother will live?”

The younger son said hewould indeed help his olderbrother. He had no idea of thesimplicity and safety of theprocedure.

As they sat in the hospitalroom, the nurse entered withthe needle in hand. Shecommented how courageous theyoung boy was; prepared hisarm, and slowly inserted theneedle. The vial was quicklyfilled with the young boy’s blood.After the procedure, and withtears in his eyes, the boy turnedto his father and asked: “Daddy,how long do I now have before I die?

Greater love has no one thanthis; that he lay down his life forhis friends. – John 15:13

Have you committed each

fourth Saturday and sacrificedyourself and time for eachBAFOP session? Give it a try!

Have you committed yourselfto work and study for yourupcoming exams, or have youcommitted your time and serviceto the various groups to whichyou belong, so that all thegroups can function effectivelyand efficiently with yourcommitment?

DedicationThe third word I would like

you to reflect on is the word“dedication”. When you think ofthe word dedication, what comesto mind?

I think of a baby’s dedicationservice.

Dedicating a child allows youto proclaim publicly your desireto raise him or her for the gloryof God. Dedications serve as avessel for parents to expressgratitude to God and toacknowledge their responsibilitybefore Him in raising theirchildren.

Dedications follow in thespirit of Hannah who offered her

son, Samuel, completely for theLord’s work (I Samuel 1:27, 28).Any parent(s) who knows Jesusas Saviour is welcomed todedicate their children (of anyage) to the Lord. Dedications aretimes of great joy and are meantto involve those closest in ourlives.

We must have the zest andzeal to become dedicatedmembers of BAFOP. We neednot only attend meetings, butparticipate, for a chain is asstrong as its weakest link.

In today’s busy world, manyof us are members of two ormore groups.

I am sure that we mustcommit, dedicate ourselves, andsacrifice our time, especially ifwe hold leadership positions, orare part of an executive body?

I give lessons on Tuesdaysand Saturdays. On Thursdays Icoordinate my dance group atchurch. On Fridays I attendBible study and take mydaughter to choir practice.

I say all this to say that wemust be loyal in everything weundertake. I hate to be called awork in progress. I believe thateverything should be done to thebest of our ability to the honourand glory of God.

We should remain true to ourcourse; which may meancommitting yourselves to thingsthat people around you wouldnormally disapprove. Letnothing distract us from beinghappy; let nothing elsedetermine our fate, butourselves.

Membership anongoing activity

To all our office professionals for your hard work and dedication in making our hotel a success, we thank you! To all those professionals who book our property please continue to enjoy the benefits of our Club Liaison programme.

From the Hilton Barbados Team.

Hilton BarbadosNeedham’s Point, St. Michael, Barbados

© Hilton Worldwide 2010.

Thank You!

DAILY NATION EXTRA. MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011. 13

Melissa Watkins Monica Allyene Nadia Corbin

Natalie Goring

Maria KingLiesl GajadharLeah Green

Tajahna KnightTanisha Harewood Valencia Springer Victoria Dalrymple

Alex Ifill

Crystal Dottin

Antoinette Crichlow Camela Knight Charmaine Blackman Cheryl Gibson Claire Stanford

Karen DownieJudy Austin Karen Greaves Kenisha Watson

Kim Jones

Keba BowenJoy Anne Miller

Eunice Willoughby-Forde Gaymel Cummins Gloria Forde Hasina Patel Hazeline Goddard Ross Jacqueline Bradshaw

Jeannie McCaskie

Sandra Harper Sharon Rowe Sharon Wiseman

Shernell Mayers

Patrice Cadogan Samanta PinderNicole Mayers

Claudia Doyle

Sagicor is proud of its Administrative Professionals. Efficiency, enthusiasm and

dedication describe this unique group of individuals, who provide valuable

support each and every day.

We can succeed at almost anything for which we have

unlimited enthusiasm