Welcome to The University of Southern Mississippi Association of Office Professional’s (USM AOP) website. I am honored to be elected by the Association’s members to serve as president for 2008-2009. I joined AOP about ten years ago after being encouraged by a fellow AOP member. I have never regretted my decision. Our members are from very diverse backgrounds and are located on the Hattiesburg and Gulf Coast campuses.
My theme for the year is Transform Your Life Through AOP with a ladybug as my symbol. A ladybug goes through a complete metamorphosis or transformation during its lifetime. The stages of metamorphosis are: egg > larva > pupa > adult. As a member of AOP, you will have opportunities to experience a similar transformation. New members are “eggs” and are welcomed into the association. Members become “larva” by attending monthly meetings, serving on one or two committees, and shedding their protective layer. A member grows to the “pupa” stage and serves on several committees and may even chair a committee. As an “adult”, members become fully involved in the local association and maybe even at the state (MAEOP) and national (NAEOP) levels. Though your transformation is never complete, as an “adult” you will be fully involved and ready to encourage someone else to begin the process.
I would like to challenge current AOP members and new members to begin their “transformation” by serving on committees. The Community Service and Ways and Means Committees are great committees to serve on, have fun, make new friends, and become more active in AOP. In the spring of 2009, some of you will be asked to consider running for office. Hopefully by this time, you will realize the true benefits of being a member and will have developed to the “adult” stage and be ready to serve the association as an officer.
My life, both professional and personal, has been improved since becoming a member of AOP. Being an active member has improved my communication and organizational skills, and my self-confidence has sky- rocketed to heights I never dreamed. My fellow members have provided encouragement and helped me to become an “adult”. New members will receive this unexpected but welcome gift, as well.
Thank you for placing your confidence in me to represent the Association as President. Please take your time and browse through our website to learn more about this great association. If you have any questions, email me at tomi.burnette@usm.edu or call me at 601.266.5366.
