More than 190 Eastern Michigan University secretaries and other clerical workers had an opportunity to enjoy a catered breakfast and lunch, find better ways to relax and live, learn to properly interview potential employees, set up one's office for comfort through ergonomics and win raffle prizes. They even had the opportunity to make patches that will be used to create a quilt that will be sent to an American soldier who has suffered injuries in Iraq.
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JUST RELAX: Martha Kimball (standing) discusses
meditation and relaxation techniques with
EMU employees during Office Professionals Day at
Eastern Michigan University April 30. The
presentation, entitled, "A Better Way to Live," took
place in the Kiva Room at the Student Center. |
These activities were all part of Office Professionals Day, celebrated on campus April 30. The event's theme was "You Are the Heart of EMU!"
"We're here to recognize and show appreciation for the valuable contributions you make to the University," Pat Harris, an HR consultant II, told a large crowd of office professionals during breakfast in the Student Center Ballroom.
"The work you do is critical. I've worked with many of you," said Don Loppnow, EMU's provost and executive vice president. "Without you, I wouldn't be in the right place at the right time, wouldn't have my head on straight and wouldn't get the work done that's needed."
Doug Bunce, an HR consultant II, led two sessions on "Behavioral Based Interviewing." He showed the audience ways to conduct better interviews and select the best people for jobs within their organization. Key questions, he said, should be based on identifying knowledge, skills and abilities. In addition, questions should be specific so that an employer can learn such things as how candidates have previously worked in a team environment or handled conflict resolution in the workplace.
"Employees have the biggest impact on an organization, both positive and negative," Bunce said. "The person you hire will impact your ability to do your own job."
Office Professionals Day
Office Professionals Day, as it is known at Eastern Michigan University, began on campus in 1998 as Secretaries Day. It is celebrated nationally as Administrative Professionals Day. It is observed on the last Wednesday in April and is part of Administrative Professionals Week. This annual event was originally organized as National Secretaries Week in 1952 by the National Secretaries Association (now known as the International Association of Administrative Professionals) in conjunction with public relations executive Harry Klemfuss and a consortium of office product manufacturers. It was established to recognize secretaries for their contributions in the workplace and to attract people to secretarial/administrative careers. |
Another session, "A Better Way to Live," focused on wellness and professional development. Martha Kimball, the presenter, informed staff on how to use meditation for stress reduction and living a balanced life.
During the craft session, participants made 6-inch quilt squares out of 100-percent cotton, denim blue jeans for Operation Quiet Comfort, a nonprofit organization based in LaSalle, Mich. Among its activities, the group makes quilts for American soldiers who have been injured in Iraq.
"Remember, keep your messages upbeat," said Mary Moos, as she walked around and observed participants create their quilt squares. Moos, an accounting clerk in EMU's Continuing Education, is involved with Michigan Military Moms, based in Dearborn. Her son, Ron, is in the U.S. Army and served in Iraq.
"This is something that is comforting and from people's hearts. A lot of people like to do something for the troops," Moos said.
It takes 96 squares to make one quilt and approximately 800 quilts are needed, said Jan Hogg, a Clinton Township resident who is a member of the Operation Quiet Comfort Board of Directors. By day's end, EMU's office professionals made 272 patches, which is just 16 shy of what is needed to make three quilts, Moos said.
Others made red dress pins in support of the American Heart Association.
"This year, we wanted to do something that would reach out into the community and both of these craft projects support community groups," Harris said. "We also saw this as a positive for the office professionals group and for the University."
