An online comment at www.princetoninfo.com has reminded us to raise a toast next week to a job title that no longer exists. When U.S. 1 started paying attention to such things in the 1980s, we always looked forward to National Secretaries Day in the last week of April.
It was good for business. Flower shops ran ads for special deals; restaurants invited bosses to treat their otherwise under-appreciated clerical staff to lunch or dinner; community colleges advertised professional development seminars.
The job title soon changed from secretary to administrative professional or assistant or some other variation. In 1998 the organization sponsoring the day became the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). This year the Central Jersey chapter of IAAP will sponsor a dinner and networking event Tuesday April 23, from 5:45 to 9 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Princeton (next to Ruby Tuesdays on Route 1 South). For information visit www.iaap-centraljersey.org.
As our online visitor commented: “Do you want to recognize your ‘right hand’ office assistant? Whether you call him/her your assistant, secretary, or administrator, please don’t forget Administrative Professionals Week.” As members of a profession that traditionally has not enjoyed the luxury of having assistants (a reporter has to be his or her own secretary) we can especially attest to their value — they are still good for business.
#b#Letters to the Editor: ‘Design from Within’#/b#
Belated thanks to U.S. 1 for running the great article “Design Psychology for Ideal Places” (U.S. 1, March 13). I appreciate your helping to spread the word about this new field. I have had many great comments about the piece including requests from people to learn more.
In response, I will be running a “Home Design Psychology Workshop” to help people design from within on three Wednesdays beginning May 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. Anyone interested can visit www.designpsychology.net.
Toby Israel
Israel is the author of “Some Place Like Home: Using Design Psychology to Create Ideal Places.”
#b#A United Nations in NJ#/b#
I would like to thank YWCA Princeton for the outstanding International Community Day on Sunday, April 14. A special thanks to Assemblywoman Donna M. Simon for her remarks opening the event and for her support of the YWCA.
Attendees participated in the raffle of objects donated by local merchants, ate delectable ethnic food, and watched Spanish and Indian dancing and martial arts demonstrations. Colorful displays of Japanese Ikebana and cultural objects from Pakistan, China, and Mexico created a virtual United Nations in Princeton.
Beverly T. Elston
Princeton
