| History At the 2003 International Convention and Education Forum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a few of our founding members were inspired by incoming International President Shelia D. Brownfield's Mission: Possible speech. So on the 13-hour return road trip to Omaha, a new chapter was planned! Administrative professionals in the western portion of Omaha and its surrounding communities were missing out on the benefits of IAAP. And thus, the birth of western Omaha's first chapter, The Great Plains Chapter! After months of planning and preparing, the chapter chartered on April 7, 2004 with 19 charter members! Within a mere two months, our first chapter president walked across the stage at the 2004 International Convention and Education Forum in Washington, D.C., receiving a Distinguished Chapter President's watch from International President Brownfield (who just happened to be the original inspiration for the Chapter)! Our second chapter president continued our tradition of achieving excellence by earning the Distringuished Chapter President's watch two years in a row! |
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| The Great Plains Chapter Our Chapter |
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| Who Belongs to The Great Plains Chapter? Our members include persons with job titles ranging from secretary to administrative or executive assistant to office manager. They represent a wide range of businesses and industries of all sizes. Our roster includes members from several of Omaha's leading employers, including: |
| - Alegent Health - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska - ConAgra Foods - Crown Cork & Seal - Election Systems & Software, Inc. - First Data Resources - First National Bank of Omaha - First National Merchant Solutions - Guardian Electric - HDM Corp. |
| - Hewlett-Packard - The Nebraska Medical Center - Omaha Public Power District - Oriental Trading Co. - Regency Lodge - University of Nebraska Medical Center - Valmont Industries, Inc. - Waddell & Reed - Werner Enterprises - West Corporation |
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| Symbolism During the planning stages, decisions were made on a name for the chapter, a chapter mascot and chapter colors. The Great Plains was selected out of several chapter name suggestions - primarily due to our Midwest location on the beautiful and inspiring plains of Nebraska. Once upon a time, the buffalo roamed freely on the plains of Nebraska - a symbol of tenacity, strength and unity. Mary K. Pierce, our chapter's first treasurer, called our little buffalo mascot "Chippy." The nickname stuck and Chippy now pens a column in our newsletter, Rolling Thunder. Our Chapter colors are purple and white. Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple represents noble aspiration - both power and ambition. It cools the nerves, is magnetic and speaks of honor and self-esteem. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence and creativity. White is cooling and restful and is thought to represent a successful beginning. |
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| Click here to print a copy of our Chapter Brochure. |