Babauta proclaims Administrative Professionals Week

Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday endorsed April 21-27, 2002 as Administrative Professionals Week in recognition of individuals handling daily office operations throughout the Northern Marianas.

In a proclamation signing ceremony held yesterday at the Pacific Islands Club, the Governor acknowledged the technical and managerial roles of administrative professionals especially in the Northern Marianas.

Yesterday’s event was also held in celebration of the 50th year of the annual event sponsored by the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

Administrative professionals include office clerks, customer service representatives, receptionists, and other office staff, who posses the qualities of compassion, friendliness, trustworthiness, and expertise in juggling numerous tasks simultaneously and cheerfully.

Babauta said there are approximately 8.9 million people who are working in administrative roles and have been contributing to the success of businesses in both public and private sectors.

He added that administrative professionals are expanding into more technical and managerial roles dominated by desktop and laptop computers and the ever-changing world of cyberspace.

“They are continually widening their clerical duties to include purchasing office equipment and supplies, creating presentations, organizing meeting and special events, orienting and supervising other office staff, writing and editing documents, maintaining multiple schedules and calendars, handling messages and correspondences and more,” said the Governor.

Babauta also signed a proclamation endorsing April 24 as Administrative Professionals Day, which was formerly known as Secretaries Day.

He said the CNMI continues to recognize individuals who have made the workforce run by providing vital services to government offices, private corporations, community-based organizations, among others.

Aside from the proclamation signing, the Department of Workforce and Community Development Programs under the Northern Marianas College’s Division of Continuing Education and the CNMI Women’s Affairs Office, also conducted a two-part workshop facilitated by Hyatt Regency Saipan Human Resources Director Josephine Dlg. Mesta and Duty Free Shoppers President Marian Aldan-Pierce.

Mesta and Aldan-Pierce presented on “Administrative professionals: A Manager’s Perspective and What it takes to succeed as an Administrative Professional.”

At the same time, the NMC announced that it will be providing a series of workshops on technical skills, customer service, business telephone etiquette, how to start an administrative services business, and Internet investing.

All workshops are free of charge. Interested individuals are advised to register. For inquiries, call Edith Guerrero or Tricia Benavente at 234-5498/3690, ext. 1814, 1815, and 1804.