COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Members of the Association of Administrative Assistants actively contribute to their communities. We would, however, like to enhance and raise the profile of the official charity of the Association across Canada - Women's Shelters.

Nationally, the Association of Administrative Assistants contributes yearly to a Women's Shelter at the Annual General Meeting. $1.00 from every membership paid is donated to a Women's Shelter in the host city.

Members of the Association feel very fortunate, and with these gestures hope in some small way to give back to our communities, locally and nationally.

Each Branch of the Association hosts yearly activities that benefit a local Women's Shelter in their area. Outlined below are the Branch activities that reflect the caring attitude of the membership of the Association.

Calgary Branch:

Since the Calgary Branch re-chartered in 2002, we have been very proud to support the AVENTA Addiction Treatment Centre for Women.

For over 30 years, the AVENTA Addiction Treatment Centre for Women has been Canada's only agency offering alcohol, drug, gambling and nicotine addiction treatment specifically for women. They have treated over 15,000 women and their families, with 99% of the patients reporting improvement or abstinence after completing treatment. Addiction costs society billions of dollars every year, and causes untold individual, family, and community suffering. The majority of these women come from abusive situations with very little else than the clothes on their backs.

At each February meeting of the Calgary Branch, the membership puts together our version of a "Valentine Shoebox" which comprises of donations of personal items for the women in the treatment centre. Each year our donations increase for this wonderful cause.

Edmonton Branch:

In conjunction with 'Random Acts of Kindness' week/month, at the February Branch meeting each year, donations (list of appropriate items provided by the shelter) are accepted for presentation to Win House, which is a women's shelter in Edmonton. This is our major annual project as we focus on the Association's promotion of supporting women's shelters.

Also, in lieu of a Christmas gift exchange among attendants at the December Branch meeting, items are collected for presentation to worthy institutions - in December 2005 it is new teddy bears for a local Victims Services Unit in honour of a former member. In the past the Edmonton Branch has chosen Victims Services, burn units at the hospitals, and, occasionally, Win House ... so in that event the shelter would receive two major donations from our branch members in one year.

Hamilton Branch:

Each year the Hamilton Branch selects a "Women and Children" charity to sponsor. Hamilton Branch members contribute loose change to the "Teddy Bear Penny Jar" at each meeting. A portion of each registration from our annual seminar is also donated into the charity fund and the Branch matches any funds raised dollar for dollar. We have supported many dedicated community charities over the years such as Martha House, Wellwood Resource Centre, Grace Heaven, Interval House, North Hamilton Community Centre and the Childminding Program, King William Learning Centre - Hamilton Wentworth District School Board, Community & Continuing Education. As a not-for-profit organization, we understand the necessity to seek outside financial assistance and are honoured to be of service to our local charities.

The Hamilton Branch also supports Mohawk College by providing an annual Bursary Fund to support a graduating student from the Office Administration Program. We also support Mohawk College/SISO - Enhanced Language Training Program by mentoring their students and YMCA Hamilton - Youth Job Exploration Program as invited speaker on the role of a Qualified Administrative Assistants Program.

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CURRENT NEWS

The Association of Administrative Assistants celebrates 60 years of 'Professionalism through Education' in May 2012.

May 24th will be a public workshop with two guest speakers. We are proud to have both Helen Wilkie, President Elect for the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS), followed by an afternoon with Rhonda Scharf from On the Right Track. On May 25th, the Toronto Charter Branch will host the National Board meeting --- free to all members, however no voting rights for motions on the floor. This is a great opportunity to experience the 'behind the scenes' discussions on how a Canadian non-for-profit organization manages Association business. The 26th of May will encompass the National Annual General meeting with budget and election process, followed by a Qualified Administrative Assistant luncheon.

Please mark these dates in your calendars and join us on May 24-26, 2012, in Toronto, to help celebrate this glorious milestone! Watch for further details in the coming months.

BRANCHES