IAAP Old Dominion Chapter History

The Old Dominion Chapter (ODC), chartered in November 1951, was the first National Secretaries Association (NSA) chapter in Virginia. In 1998, the national organization's name changed to International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) The IAAP is structured by International Bylaws and conforms to IAAP mission, purpose, objectives, and vision as stated below:

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.

Our Mission

"Enhancing the success of career-minded administrative professionals by providing opportunities for growth through education, community building  and leadership development."

ODC is a member of the Southeast District of IAAP (Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands), and the Virginia-West Virginia Division of IAAP.

There are currently 21 chapters in the Virginia-West Virginia Division of IAAP with more than 700 members. In addition to our Old Dominion Chapter, the Chapters are Charleston (Charleston, West VA), Colonial (Williamsburg), Covington, Guyandotte (West VA), Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Marion County (West VA), Mountain Empire (Big Stone Gap), New River Valley (Blacksburg), Old Town Alexandria, Peninsula (Newport News), Roanoke, Shenandoah Valley, Southside (Franklin), Southwest (Abingdon), Tidewater (Norfolk), Tri-City (Hopewell, Petersburg, Colonial Heights), and two corporate chapters: ASCO and Booz Allen Hamilton.

The Division Annual Meetings are held in June and are rotated among the chapter cities. The Virginia Division meetings have been hosted by ODC in Richmond, Virginia many times, including the 25th anniversary meeting in 1979. The Old Dominion Chapter is always well represented at the Division Meeting.

In addition to the annual meeting, the Virginia-West Virginia Division of IAAP holds a Professional Development Seminar (PDS) each year in the Fall. One or more Virginia chapters hosts PDS The Old Dominion Chapter has hosted this seminar many times, including September 2000. This is an important educational seminar, which provides training for committee chairmen, Chapter and Division officers, and chapter members.

The ODC Chapter Meeting is a dinner, educational program, and business meeting held the third Tuesday of each month, except July and October.  Executives are honored on Bosses Day in October with a luncheon.  An executive’s event has been held each year by ODC since 1952.

ODC Chapter Officers include the following:  President, President-Elect (Newsletter Committee Chairman), First Vice-President (Program Committee Chairman), Second Vice President (Membership Committee Chairman), Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentary Advisor.

Old Dominion Chapter standing committees are:  Administrative Professionals Week, Auditing, Budget, Bylaws and Standing Rules, Community Service, CPS/CAP Services, Member of the Year, Membership (Orientation,Recruitment and Retention),  Newsletter, Programs, Publicity, Scholarship, Seminar/Workshop, and Ways and Means.

International sponsors include firms such as:  Avery Dennison, Hallmark, Office Team, and 3M Company.

ODC is proud of its history and contribution to the Richmond Metro area for the past 60 years.  Through dedication and determination of its members, ODC has served, and will continue to serve, all office professionals employed in our area.  Collectively, we can make a difference in our profession.

ODC welcomes new members from the Richmond Metro area to our Chapter.  Businesses are encouraged to be sponsors of ODC’s professional skill building efforts for their administrative support staff.  Financial support of membership dues, seminar fees, convention and meeting expenses by organizations, as provided on behalf of any professional within their company, is expected and encouraged by the Old Dominion Chapter, IAAP.