About Us - SouthCounty

About Us

About Our Chapter

South County's members are from many different companies from around St Louis and neighboring Illinois. The diverse nature of our employers provides unique opportunities to share and learn the best ways to connect with our company's goals and objectives. Interesting networking opportunities enrich our professional and personal lives. The chapter's strategic plan ensures educational programs remain a key focus for the chapter.

Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month from September through June except December when a chapter social is held weather permitting. July is set aside to attend EFAM and in August, the chapter hosts a summer social. Following time for networking, the meetings begin at 6:15 PM with an educational or a motivational program. A short business meeting concludes the meeting. Informal dinners prior to and following the meeting are enjoyed by any members that want to attend.

Programs have included:

Grammar Rocks & Style Swings
Excel, Access & Power Point Updates
Running a Meeting by Robert's Rules
Pic This--Association Information & History
Eras, Retirement & Investments
Listening Skills
Women’s Health
Leadership and Teamwork
Meeting Presentations
Certification & Recertification

We invite you to join us and learn how you and your employer can benefit from membership in IAAP.

The beginning of South County Chapter

In late 1995 The New Chapter Formation Committee of the St. Louis and Lindbergh Chapters chaired by Kathy Myers CPS planned an informational meeting for January 16, 1996, at General American Life Insurance Company at 13045 Tesson Ferry Road, in the south county area of St. Louis. At that time the association was known as Professional Secretaries International®.

Several more informational and planning meetings were held from February to May. On May 21, 1996, the installation of the South County Chapter took place. E. Kay York CPS, Missouri Division President, assisted by Peggy Harber CPS, President Lindbergh Chapter, installed the Officers: Joyce Ralston, President; Kathy Robinette CPS, President-Elect; Lynn Schwartz, Secretary; Mary Byers, Treasurer; Barbara Scott CPS and Vicki Weingand CPS, Directors. St. Louis Chapter member Mary Lou Merkel CPS read the official roll call as each member present signed the Charter and St. Louis Chapter President Melynda Porges CPS presented the new Chapter with a gavel.

The New Chapter Formation Committee

St. Louis Chapter

Kathy Myers CPS, Chairman

Melynda Porges CPS, Chapter President

Sharon Easter, Chapter President-Elect

Mary Lou Merkel CPS

Nancy Hart CPS

Vicki Weingand CPS

Lindbergh Chapter

Peggy Harber CPS, Chapter President

Gina Scherer

Virginia Gebbardt CPS

About IAAP

The International Association of Administrative Professionals is a not-for-profit professional association for office professionals with approximately 40,000 members and affiliates and nearly 600 chapters worldwide. Our mission is to enhance the success of career-minded administrative professionals by providing opportunities for growth through education, community building and leadership development. The association founded in 1942 as the National Secretaries Association to provide a professional network and educational resources for secretarial staff. The association's name was changed in 1998 to the International Association of Administrative Professionals to encompass the large number of varied administrative job titles and recognize the advancing role of administrative support staff in business and government.

Our 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.