A Time for Thanksgiving

November is a time of thanksgiving.  We spend this time thinking about those things in our lives that we are thankful for; be it family, friends, colleagues and God.  But are we showing our administrative staff how thankful we are for everything that they do for our church?

Show your administrative staff how grateful you are for everything they do for you, your staff and your members.  Make sure to include in your 2012 budget the membership fees for them to join the Administrative Personnel Association of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as well as continuing education funds to attend APA conferences.  For a small fee ($75 for the membership dues and approximately $500 to attend a conference), they can become part of this great organization, recognized in the Book of Order G-2.1101 – G-2.1102.  The Presbytery affirms the skills and dedication of these certified lay employees by providing recognition at Presbytery at the time of their certification and by inviting these employees to Presbytery meetings, granting them the privilege of the floor.

By attending APA conferences, your administrative staff will improve the quality of professionalism in the offices that are usually the first points of contact with congregations, governing bodies and agencies of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  They will learn the importance of efficient office procedures and develop a deeper commitment and understanding of the issues, policy, history and theology of our church.

For more information about the APA and how it will benefit your administrative staff, contact Barbara Prieto, Florida Region President, at 305-666-8586 or rivierachurch@bellsouth.net.

Nancy Fine

Membership Chair, Florida Region of the Administrative Personnel Association of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

www.floridaapa.org