Administrative professionals are often the first point of
contact in an office. As an essential support element of a workgroup, their
work is important to keep a team operating like a well-oiled machine. To support
and encourage this group of individuals, Methodist Children’s Home (MCH)
recently held the Administrative Professionals Conference (APC), gathering
together for the first time support personnel from all MCH offices.
According to John Warren, director of training at MCH, the APC
was an important part of an organization-wide strategic plan to strengthen
employees.
“Since 2009, the agency’s commitment to employee
professional growth across all departments and programs has increased as a
result of the strategic plan,” Warren said. “The APC is an important part of
this commitment that came out of the implementation of the agency-wide training
plan. The APC, in particular, was the result of an intentional emphasis on
a group of employees who work in many different departments, but utilize a
similar skillset.”
Attendees included administrative professionals from the
Waco campus, Boys Ranch and the MCH Family Outreach offices located throughout
Texas and New Mexico. During the two-day conference they heard from various MCH
leaders on topics such as MCH’s legacy of ministry, building a culture of
community and connection, and supporting the MCH mission. They also toured the
Boys Ranch and new Daniels Home and received training from MCH’s training
staff. Sarah Aynesworth, a professional etiquette consultant, delivered an
interactive keynote address on professional and social interaction and
conversation.
Jean Wright, MCH staff trainer, explained that the title of
the conference, “The Connected Community,” was “to remind us of the importance
of staying connected so that we can continue to strengthen our community even
while we work in different cities and areas of the agency every day.”
“I think all of us can forget the scope of our programs and
services at times,” Wright said. “We each play a different role, but we all
contribute to MCH’s legacy and mission and are all connected to the
accomplishments and developments taking place.”
Genie, Greer, administrative assistant in the MCH Family
Outreach office in Lubbock, has been with MCH for nearly 15 years. She said the
APC was a good time of encouragement and validation for her and her peers in
similar positions.
“MCH has always been good to accept that the position of
administrative professional, with all its different titles throughout the
years, is important,” she said. “Coming from a managerial background, I know
that is not always the case. Organization, flexibility, problem-solving,
reliability, and sociability are not always attributes one finds within the
same person. It is good to be recognized as one of the persons using these
skills on a daily basis.
“MCH administration validated our position’s importance with
the conference,” she added.
Maria Pintor, administrative assistant in the MCH Family Outreach
office in Dallas, said it was good to meet others from around MCH with whom she
communicates regularly and who are instrumental in her work.
“This conference helps new staff to learn the ministry of
MCH and the difference it makes in the lives of many,” Pintor said. “It is also
important to hear new ideas from one another that can make us more effective in
our roles as administrative assistants.”
Wright said her “two primary goals going into the conference
were to find ways to demonstrate to our administrative professionals how very
much they are appreciated and valued for their service as well as create an
environment in which we can all intellectually develop together. I hope and
believe we accomplished that!”
