Las Colinas Chapter of IAAP
Irving, TX
International Association of Administrative Professionals ® is the voice of the
office administration profession. Its mission is to promote the competence and recognition
of the profession and to represent the interests and welfare of persons working in
and preparing for positions in this field.
Las Colinas Chapter began as a vision in the minds of Debbie Baker CPS and Rita Harrison Backus CPS in March 1988. While visiting Big D Chapter in Dallas, Texas, they began to formulate plans for a new chapter in the Las Colinas area.
Elaine Harrison CPS advised them they could start their own chapter, but they would need the support of an existing chapter as well as have a core group of people to serve as the new chapter's foundation. Elaine presented this proposition to the Big D Chapter Board of Directors asking for their support for the formation of this new chapter. Big D Chapter agreed and formed an ad hoc committee for this purpose.
After many planning meetings with the core group and the Big D ad hoc committee, the first organizational meeting of the new chapter was held at the Hewlett-Packard offices in Las Colinas on January 25, 1989--approximately 30 people attended. The ad hoc committee made temporary appointments for the four officers to represent the chapter for 90 days after installation. They were Rita Harrison CPS, President; Debbie Baker CPS, Vice President; Connie Berkman, Secretary; and Janice Lauderdale, Treasurer. Those in attendance at the organizational meeting were receptive to the idea of forming a new chapter convenient to their homes and employment.
In April 1989, Las Colinas Chapter was officially installed with 43 charter members. The four officers who were appointed for a 90-day term agreed to serve in their existing capacities for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Today, Las Colinas is one of the larger chapters in the Texas-Louisiana Division consisting of members from all over the Dallas-Fort Worth area.