by Nancy Gardiner
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 20/97) - Although there are no members from the NWT, the National Association of Administrative Assistants isn't forgetting about the North.

"Members from the North are considered members at large when they reside in areas where no branch has been established," says Doris Kurtz, national registrar for the association, "and we're very interested in getting people from the Northern areas."

There are about 220 members across Canada.

"Most of our members have quite senior positions," says Kurtz.

The organization encourages members to complete an academic program, enabling them to obtain their Qualified Administrative Assistant (QAA) certificate.

The program can be completed through university or correspondence courses. The three compulsory courses are organizational behaviour, business English and business administration. Electives include accounting, economics, human-resource management, principles of supervision, marketing, commercial law, interpersonal communication and psychology. Many of the courses can be found in management studies programs.

The courses are offered to administrative assistants, executive secretaries and office managers interested in meeting workforce demands, says Kurtz.

"You do not need it to get a job, but it signifies a person's interest in continuing their personal and professional development," Kurtz says. The association is a non-profit organization founded in 1951, with branches in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Hamilton.