(Thanks to Carolyn Dorzinski, Historian, for the original article in 2002. It has since been updated.)
First Meetings in 1949
The first organizational meeting was held at the home of Rosalie Kollarich in St Paul, Minnesota on March 20, 1949. Members present were Grace Ehlmann, Evelyn Johnson, Helen Lund, Lorraine Hagglund, Blanch Dvorak and Rosalie Kollarich. The name of the organization was “Minnesota Association of School Secretaries.”
More than 370 schools were invited to the first official meeting to be held on May 14, 1949, with 70 members listed as charter members. The cost of membership was set at $1.00. Ninety-eight secretaries attended.
Purpose
The purpose of the Minnesota chapter was to elevate the standards of the group through cooperation, study, and professional growth; to provide a finer understanding of the relationship between the school and the community so that ever increasingly efficient service may be rendered to our educational system; to promote recognition by administrative officers of each secretary’s contribution to the educational program; and to actively assist the National Association of School Secretaries in attaining its goals for each state and for the nation.
Conferences
The first spring conference was held at the Stouffer’s Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1949.
From 1949 until the year 1999, two conferences were held each year. Starting in the year 2000, the association has held only one annual meeting in the fall.
In 1998 Minnesota hosted the national (NAEOP) conference at the Radisson South Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota. The theme for the conference was “Minnesota Magic.” It hosted it 20 years later in 2018, again in Bloomington.
Other Firsts
In 1950 the first newsletter was published. The name chosen was “The Minnesota Charter.”
Awards and Scholarships
In 1971 the first scholarship was established in the amount of $100.00.
Starting in the year 1976, the Association has honored an Educational Office Professional of the Year. The organization has also honored an Educational Administrator of the Year since 1977.
Professional Standards Added
In 1956 the Minnesota Association adopted the Professional Standards Program (PSP) as adopted by the National Organization.
1999 was the year Minnesota celebrated its 50th Anniversary. It was set up as a Professional Development Weekend, with participants earning PSP credits.
Name Change
In 1975 the organization changed its name to “The Minnesota Association of Office Personnel.”
National Volunteers
Minnesota is also home to several members who have served on the National Board. Rosalie Kollarich was the first Minnesota woman to serve on the Executive Board of the National Association.