04/20/04

Administrative Professionals Week, originally called National Secretaries Week, is always observed the last full week in April. Celebrated worldwide, Administrative Professionals Day will be on April 21, 2004 , and the week's observance will run from April 18-24.

The purpose of Administrative Professionals Day and Week is to recognize the countless contributions of our administrative staff members, as well as to attract personnel to the secretarial and administrative fields. This year's theme, "Ambassadors of Excellence," aptly portrays the important role administrative professionals have in the workplace. According to the U. S. Department of Labor, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States today. The work of administrative professionals requires a myriad of skills encompassing a wide array of specialties including communications, technology, and customer service. Research has shown that the skills called upon most frequently by administrative professionals include written and verbal interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and decision making. Those individuals in administrative support roles serve as their supervisors' front-line agents. They fulfill many critical public relations and logistical requirements along-side their never-ending administrative and secretarial duties.

The contributions of administrative assistants and secretaries are an essential part of the DoDDS Pacific educational mission and the DoDEA Community Strategic Plan. Their sincere dedication and tireless efforts are at the heart of our achievement of performance-driven, efficient management systems. The work they do is immeasurable-they are true ambassadors for our DoDDS Pacific offices and schools and the students we serve.

It is with deep gratitude that I extend to all administrative assistants and secretaries a sincere thank you for the outstanding services they provide our office and school personnel, students, parents and community members.

Please join me in honoring and celebrating our DoDDS Pacific administrative professionals on April 21 and throughout the week. It goes without saying that their services are deeply appreciated every day of the year.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS Pacific