Every year, chapter leaders in major cities across the country volunteer to serve as local administrators at APA’s one-day seminars. With “Preparing for Year End and 2019” courses on the horizon, Chapter Relations will soon be recruiting over 60 local admins from APA chapters and we need you!
In exchange for volunteering to help with the course, admins will receive registration, course materials, and RCHs free of cost. What is it like to be a local administrator for an APA course? Three previous volunteers share their experiences and tips with you:
1. Carrie Hovell, CPP
Washington Metropolitan Area Chapter
“My most memorable experience was being an administrator for Fred Basehore, CPP. Despite totally killing the pronunciation of his name, he showed me everything I needed to know as an administrator and how to best help the instructor. Those lessons are still with me every time I help a new instructor. If you are given the opportunity to admin, take it. It has been the best experience of my life. When I go to Congress, I see the instructors and they remember me. What can beat that?”
Tip: “Make sure the attendees never know the work that it takes behind the scenes. Pay close attention to the room set-up, coffee, snacks, and make sure everyone will be accommodated for lunch. If the day goes without a hitch, you did a great job.”
2. John Hunt, CPP
Atlanta Chapter
“Local Admins serve a most valuable purpose. We are the extension of APA here in the locality we serve. I have always enjoyed serving as a local admin and have developed some great relationships with the instructors. It is a great feeling when the instructor sees me and relaxes because we have done this before successfully and they know things are under control. A smoothly run class reflects well on APA and the local chapter.”
Tip: “For any first-time admins, my advice to you is to be prepared. Read the admin guide to familiarize yourself with the program and know what is expected. Arrive early to learn the layout of the hotel, locations of the rooms, and where the class will take place. Expect that things may not be in place when you arrive, and follow the guide to set things right.”
3. John Lestock, CPP
Rainier Chapter
“My first time being a local admin, I was a bit nervous. I didn’t quite know what to expect, and I wanted to make sure I did a good job. The session was the Garnishment Forum taught by Dave Wakeling, CPP, and he was great. We worked very well together, and we both had a great time. Since then, I’ve been a local administrator at least five additional times, and I’ve enjoyed it every time.”
Tip: “Being a local admin is an excellent way to meet and network with other payroll professionals. Many of the class attendees are not APA members or members of a local chapter, so the class provides an opportunity to reach a new group of professionals and introduce them to what the APA and its chapters have to offer.”
If you are interested in volunteering as a local administrator, take a look at the Year End class schedule on the APA website to see if any of the seminars will be held in your area. Chapter Relations will send out more information and a copy of the updated Local Administrator Guide to local chapters in early September.
Do you have any experience as a local administrator? Tell us about it in the comments below!
