For you, professional involvement and development may mean serving on a committee or as an officer, taking a class, or attending a workshop, meeting, or AAEOP social function.  Regardless of which of these things matches your definition of involvement, consider that whether or not you have made a step on your journey to professional development this year or not, you can take a step today!  Look at the list of opportunities being offered by AAEOP (and/or WAEOP and NAEOP) and decide what action you will take to actively involve yourself in your professional association.  It is never too late to put your best foot forward and become a member of your state and national professional association.  If you are not currently a member of WAEOP and/or NAEOP, the following information should make you want to “step right up” and join today.  Check out news and upcoming events (or the recap of recent events) to see how AAEOP members are involved in the associations established exclusively for educational office professionals.

NAEOP (National Association of Educational Office Professionals) is the “top of the line” national organization established specifically for educational office professionals (school secretaries) throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.  Membership in this association is significant of your true professionalism.  NAEOP was founded as the National Association of School Secretaries.  NAEOP paved the way by making a name change that reflected not only a change in times, but more accurately recognized the level of professionalism of employees in educational offices.

Benefits of NAEOP membership include:

• car rental discounts,
• various insurances,
• the quarterly NAEOP Magazine,
• an opportunity for scholarships (member, dependent, and student),
• enrollment in the Professional Standards Program (PSP),
• awarding of PSP certificates,
• workshop and conference opportunities, and
• a networking system that spans the U.S. and Canada. 

In order to apply and qualify for the PSP program, membership in NAEOP is required.  Membership in NAEOP is only $45 a year.  For this fee, new members receive a $1,000 dismemberment insurance policy for the first year with the option for the member to renew the policy on their own (at his/her expense).  

WAEOP (Washington Association of Educational Office Professionals) was organized over 50 years ago by school district secretaries who wanted their own PROFESSIONAL association.  Over the years, WAEOP has grown significantly and has changed in a number of ways (including changing the association name from Washington Association of Educational Secretaries). 

The state-level association offers several learning events throughout the year.  You can choose from Spring Conference, Fall Institute, Leadership Training, or one of several Professional Development Program workshops offered throughout the state.  PDP workshops are generally hosted by an area director (Auburn is in area 7, our area director is Karen Penewell).  The area directors host at least one workshop in their area annually and it is nice to be able to attend a WAEOP-sponsored workshop close to home.  If you have an idea for a PDP workshop you would like offered in area 7, contact Karen.  Area directors, like members of the AAEOP professional development and workshop committee, appreciate your suggestions for workshop topics and/or presenters.

You can be a member of your state-level professional association for only $35 per year.  Go the the WAEOP website to download a membership form.  When you submit your membership form, indicate that you were referred through the AAEOP website.