Last Updated

02/21/2008

I found the following statement when surfing the internet one evening.  It’s in a story of “How to Have Fun” by Debbie Mandel.  “We need to recapture the Kodak moments of our lives which express our innate capacity for fun and laughter. Our fears, problems, losses and disappointments have hurled obstacles in the way of personal happiness. We need to clear the path, prune the trees and wash the windows to let joy shine into our interior.”  How exciting it was to see 93 colleagues from across New York State all “pruning the trees and washing the windows” together in Glens Falls last October!

It was so much fun hosting 12 first-time conference attendees at the First Timer’s Reception on Thursday night, which was immediately followed by the awards program.  During that program, PSP certificates were handed out to seven conference attendees, as well as the CEOE distinction being given to six.  Congratulations to everyone that received their PSP/CEOE during 2007!  In addition, our 2007 Administrator of the Year, Mr. Peter Michaelsen of the Tonawanda City School District, was recognized, as well as our Office Professional of the Year, Rose Bain from the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES.  What an honor to have them both, as well as some of their colleagues, at our banquet!

Friday started out wonderfully by having two fantastic keynote speakers.  First, the National Association of Educational Office Professionals President, Linda Sockwell, taught us how to be the person we were meant to be during her keynote, “Look Up, Look Down, Look Out!.”  Next, Dr. John Pelizza worked with us to get us to “Release the Light Within You – Unleash Your Potential.”  What an incredible way to start the conference!  That energy carried over through our Membership Luncheon, where many members were recognized for their contributions to our Association and Diane Wright was awarded with our Member Scholarship!  Our afternoon break-out sessions included workshops titled, “Shooting for the Retirement Star,” “Customer Service for Schools,” “Records Management 101,” and “Identity Theft/Travel Safety.”  These workshops kept the energy going, right on into our fun night - the now infamous pajama party!  So many of you contributed to our stuffed animal drive for the Glens Falls Pediatric Unit - thank you again so much!  Also, special thanks to the Greenwich Future Business Leaders of America for their help with the party.  What a great group of kids!

Saturday morning started out a day of educational and resourceful workshops, including “Crime Scene Management for Schools,” “The EAP and You,” “School Security Audits,” “Website Development,” “Professional Standards Program,” “Be Your Own Star:  Returning to School as an Adult Student,” “Quick Energy Boosters,” and “The Educational Office Professional – Wonder Woman in Disguise.”  A complete strand of workshops was offered for our mentors – the retirees, as well!  It was a great day, with our scholarship luncheon in the middle.  Congratulations to Anhthu Tran from the Buffalo Public Schools on being awarded our 2007 Student Scholarship.  Ms. Tran was nominated by the Erie County Association of Educational Office Professionals.  At the conclusion of the luncheon we were treated by some dances by the Hubbard Hall Irish Step Dancers - what a treat!  After the luncheon, workshops titled, “Internet Safety:,” “Basic Assertiveness Techniques,” and “Aquatic Exercises” were offered. 

Saturday night Cheri Goldrick, President of the Vermont Association of Educational Office Professionals, lead a reaffirmation of all Executive Board members, concluding the conference.  It was indeed an honor to have Cheri be with us and help us with the ceremony.  She and Dianne Jacquith, also from Vermont, are close friends of NYSAEOP and we are lucky to have them as “neighbors.”

Sunday morning the Executive Board met to wrap up business of the Association.  I am very fortunate to work with such a fantastic group of professional women!  If any of you are interested in joining our Board in any capacity, please contact any current Board member – we’d love to have you on our team.

Please plan to join us for next year’s conference in Western New York at the beautiful Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa.  All I can do is promise that the planning committee and I will do our best to make sure next year’s conference is as informational and rejuvenating as this past year’s conference was!  If you’d like to learn more about the Peak, check out their website at www.pknpk.com. 

See you in October!

Wendy L. Heslink, CEOE

2007-2008 Conference Chair