International Association of Administrative Professionals, known as the National Secretaries Association at that time, entered the State of Florida in 1945, when the Orlando Chapter was established on April 7. Interestingly, the original name of this chapter was the Ivanhoe Chapter, which later was changed to the Chapter of the City Beautiful. It was the only chapter in the state until 1952, when a representative was sent from the Board of Directors to solicit other members. That year, six chapters were established. The chapters in Florida Division were: Jacksonville (February 15, 1952); Tampa (March 7, 1952); Gulf-to-Bay, now St. Petersburg, (June 10, 1952); Osceola, now Clearwater, (June 19, 1952); Manatee, also referred to as Bradenton, (July 3, 1952); Miami (September 25, 1952); and IAAP was well on its way in Florida.
In March 1953, a meeting was held in Tampa of all chapters within the state. By that time, there were eight chapters to discuss the possibility of forming a state organization. The Northwest and Northeast had already formed chapter groups, which were equivalent to our division today, but the Southeast and Southwest had not yet taken the plunge.
Every chapter had to be in favor of organizing a state organization. A letter was sent to the Southeast Vice President by each chapter stating whether or not they wished to participate. It was stressed that three people must be selected as the first officers and be willing to work, as there was a great deal of work involved with a state organization. They were to be temporarily appointed until the first official meeting and then a nomination and election procedure would be held for elected officers. The officers were to be strategically located throughout the state.
It was noted that there were approximately 400 members in Florida at that time. At the meeting, it was voted to adopt a state organization with each chapter having one vote in the organization. The state would approve new chapters (which had been done previously by International) and rules would be established so that all chapters would operate uniformly. The state organization was to be the “hub” for filtering information to the chapter level from the International office.
Between this meeting and the first official meeting slated for June 1953, the acting President sent out a questionnaire to all chapters within the state, asking their preference on names, committees, dues, etc. From the questionnaire, the “Florida State Chapters, The National Secretaries Association” came into existence.
The first official Florida Division meeting was held June 27, 1953, at the George Washington Hotel in West Palm Beach with 59 members and four visitors present. Three officers were elected: President, JO POPPLETON, now deceased, from Tampa; Secretary, CAROLINE MOSCRIP, now deceased, from Orlando; and Treasurer, GLADYS HEATH, now deceased, from Miami. The President appointed the initial committees at this meeting.
Today, the Florida Division structure is similar to that of the Chapters, we have a presidents, president-elect, vice presidents, secretary and treasurer who reside in different areas in the state.