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November 20, 2003

SAC wants more professional development programs

The Staff Association Council (SAC) is pushing professional development programs for staff.

“We all know it’s important, no matter what your job is, to look into programs that will help your career, whether they are HR (Human Resources) workshops or College of General Studies certificate programs or computer quick-start classes,” said Ann Ostroski, who chairs the newly formed SAC research and information committee. “We have many options at Pitt, but I’m looking for input for new training seminars for career advancement. What kind of workshops and training would you like to see available? What kind of skills do you need to develop?” she asked at the Nov. 12 SAC meeting.

Ostroski is polling staff, associate deans, directors and others from the five Pitt campuses for input. She said the committee expects to develop proposals for new training seminars over the next few months.

Input can be sent to Ostroski, A628 Crabtree Hall; 412/648-9417; fax: 412/624-3013; e-mail: aostroski@gsphdean.gsph.pitt.edu.

Ostroski said the SAC web site will have updates on professional development programs:www.pitt.edu/~sac.

SAC also heard a presentation from Nicole Gannon, who is the Pittsburgh chapter president of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). With 40,000 members in more than 600 chapters, IAAP is said to be the world’s largest association of such professionals, which include administrators, supervisors, project managers, receptionists and other office functionaries.

Using herself as an example, Gannon touted IAAP for providing job networking services for its membership. “I joined in 2000,” she said. “I was working for an IT company as a receptionist for about two years, and I just felt the job was not going anywhere. I put the word out among my IAAP colleagues and that’s actually how I found out about my current job at Pitt,” said Gannon, who is an undergraduate student service specialist at the School of Nursing.

IAAP is a non-profit professional association that provides industry-recognized research and career-related activities and training.

There also are education and leadership development components of IAAP, Gannon said.

More information is available at the local chapter’s site: www.iaappittsburgh.com.

In other SAC developments:

  • SAC plans to hold special elections to fill the unexpired terms of committee members who have resigned, according to SAC President Rich Colwell. “We’re in need of about 10 people,” Colwell said. Election procedures will be discussed at the next SAC meeting, Dec. 10.
  • Safety and security committee chair James Lyle said SAC wants to provide certified CPR training for staff at an affordable price. Lyle added that a SAC Pittsburgh campus safety web site is in development and should be on-line in a few weeks, linked to the SAC home page (www.pitt.edu/~sac).
  • Malinda Weems of program and planning reported that SAC’s annual holiday craft bazaar is scheduled for 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 3, in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room.

Staff who wish to sell holiday wares at the event can rent space prior to Dec. 1 for $20 per table. To reserve a table or for more information, call the SAC office,  4-4236. Proceeds  benefit the SAC Book Fund for Undergraduate Children of Staff.

In addition, SAC is selling holiday flower arrangements, including door swags, poinsettias, balsam wreaths and  Christmas cacti as well as assorted holiday novelties. Prices range from $6 to $20.

Order forms are available at the SAC office, 925 William Pitt Union. The deadline for ordering is Nov. 24. Cash only will be accepted for payment. Orders must be picked up at the Dec. 3 craft bazaar.

Weems added that SAC and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) are co-sponsoring a “presents for patients” drive for WPIC patients.

Wrapped gifts, tagged to indicate the appropriate age and gender of the recipient, can be dropped off at the SAC office until Dec. 1, or at the SAC bazaar on Dec. 3. For more information, call 4-4236.
—Peter Hart                      

 

Filed under: Feature,Volume 36 Issue 7

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