History of the Lynchburg Chapter IAAP
The Lynchburg Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals (formerly known as Professional Secretaries International) was founded January 23, 1956. Meetings were designated to be held at 6:00 pm the third Tuesday of the month at the Virginian Hotel. President was Eleanor Watson and twenty-eight charter members organized the Lynchburg Chapter. The first Secretaries Week was celebrated by placing a display in the Chamber of Commerce window. Bosses’ Night was held at the Boonsboro Country Club with fifty-two persons attending, and the first scholarship was awarded in June, 1957, to Jo Ann Ware, a senior at E. C. Glass High School.During the 1957-58 year Radio Day was held for the first time and 103 one-minute commercials were sold and read by members over Radio Station WBRG. The International Convention was held in St. Louis, Missouri, and the chapter sponsored two education classes (Human Relations and Business Law). The Lynchburg scrapbook won third place and honorable mention at Southeastern District Conference in Jackson, Mississippi.
Several civic projects were undertaken during the 1958-59 year: Red Cross Disaster Committee, Democratic Committee, Republican Committee, Physically Handicapped, and American Cancer Society. During the 1959-60 year, one of the monthly programs was a presentation on the "Proposed Fine Arts Center". Civic projects included the American Cancer Society, Civic Air Patrol, Lynchburg Life Saving Crew, Family Welfare Service, Red Cross, and Employ Handicapped Week.
In 1960-61 the membership totaled 33. The chapter won first place in the Division Achievement Awards in May of 1961. The International Convention for year 1962-63 was held in Chicago, Illinois. Oddly enough, this time span has apparently regenerated itself. The 2000 International Convention will be held in Chicago, July 22-27.
These are just some tidbits from past minutes of the Lynchburg Chapter. It’s interesting to go back and review these notes and try to relate them to today’s IAAP Chapter.