I never started out to be a secretary. I was a technical writer for the computer industry for many years before the office manager position in my church opened up and I took my shot. That was over eleven years ago. It never really bothered me that Administrative Professionals Day went by without much notice from the people I serve. I didn't consider myself a secretary, anyway. But as the years went by, things changed. I WAS a secretary. (Sometimes I'd call myself the office manager whenever I wanted to feel better about myself.) And there were days when I'd feel invisible or unappreciated. I'd remind myself I was working for the Lord, and therefore, I didn't need "atta girls" from others.
Truth was, though, I kind of wished someone would remember the day. As a kind of preemptive strike, I tried to forget the day so I wouldn't be disappointed when everyone else did, too.
But last year, my coworkers surprised me. Somehow they contacted church members without my knowing it (a grand feat since the secretary usually knows most of what goes on in the church) and asked them to write a note or send a card.
On Administrative Professionals Day, my two closest coworkers took me to lunch. When we returned, there was a small gift on my chair-- a flowered gift bag with LOTS of cards and notes in them. As I read them, I was astounded at the lovely things people said and the ways they felt I'd helped them. Sometimes, the act they mentioned was just something I'd considered as part of my job.
What a wonderful gift! Feel free to use this idea for your own secretaries, office managers, administrative professionals, and the like. Flowers and a free lunch are great, but the personal touch is even better. Or, if you don't have enough time to organize something like this, take a few moments to write a note on your own. Tell your office manager just how she (or he) has touched your life. The important thing is to be specific. That's what meant the most to me, and I'm sure it will really lift up your secretary.
Happy Administrative Professionals Day!
