Joy in the Workplace Submitted by Jill Averyhart, CEOE

Watch children while they play and it won’t be long before you hear a joyful sound: laughter. Children can be counted on to make fun out of the most boring work. Can laughing and having fun on the job make a difference in the way we as adults do our jobs? Richland School District Two Superintendent Dr. Debra Hamm thinks so. Dr. Hamm’s focus for the school year is what she calls the “Four Squares: Learning, Character, Community, and Joy.” Superintendent Hamm shared research that shows people who have fun at work are more creative, more productive, better decision makers, work better with others, and call in sick less often. Richland Two even has an unofficial “Director of Joy.” I love my district office and I know you love yours, so share what’s happening in your district in the next administrative council newsletter. My district office is awesome! How about yours?

Did You Know That Laughter . . . • Raises pain tolerance • Relieves tension in muscles • Increases blood flow • Stimulates the release of endorphins and puts you

in a better mood • Boosts the immune system • Boosts problem-solving ability and creativity • Makes you more open-minded

2014-2015 NAEOP Theme

NAEOP President Elizabeth Napolitano, CEOE, has chosen “Navigate Your Way to Success with NAEOP” as her theme for the 2014-2015 year. As you navigate your way through the year, please encourage your colleagues to become members and attend local, state, and national meetings to experience the many professional development and networking opportunities. Spread the word about NAEOP and the benefits of membership. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about NAEOP or the Administrative Council.

Georgette Council, CEOE; Sarah Harris; Jill Averyhart, CEOE; Linda Goodwin, CEOE; and Laura Baker, CEOE Richland Two District Office Educational Office Professionals (A.K.A. “Ofishially” Awesome Support Staff) accepted the Superintendent’s “Joy Ice Bucket Challenge” and challenged all district educational office professionals to do the same. Despite the icy cold water, everyone kept smiles on their faces. You can watch the video on the NAEOP Facebook page!

"The human race has only one really

effective weapon, and that is laughter." ~ Mark Twain

Jill Averyhart, CEOE 2014-2015 Administrative Council Chairman Richland School District Two 6831 Brookfield Road Columbia, SC 29206 803.737.3206 (Office) 803.553.4305 (Cell) javeryhart@richland2.org

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Spelling Test

Please make note of which words from the list below are spelled incorrectly.

Accommodate Archaeology Grotesque Harass Homogeneous Indubitable Knowledgeable Lackadaisical Manageable Occurrence Populous Reiterate Successful Temperamental Timbre Unnecessary Venomous Vicious

How many did you guess: one or two, maybe even 3? Some of them look like they have to be misspelled, right? Not so fast. Every word on this list is spelled correctly. Review them closely. If you still don’t believe it, look them up in the dictionary.

New Dictionary Words for 2014 Speaking of using the dictionary, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary recently added 150 new words and definitions for 2014. These new additions reflect the growing influence technology has on our world. Check out a few of the new words below:

• Catfish • Crowdfunding • Gamification • Hashtag • Selfie • Social networking • Steampunk • Tweep

Voodoo Doughnut (You Put a Spell on Me)

Submitted by Linda Goodwin, CEOE Voodoo Doughnut was on my list of places to visit while in Portland, Oregon, for the 2014 NAEOP Conference. Voodoo Doughnut is a fun and unique doughnut shop in Portland known for its unusual doughnuts, eclectic décor, and historic pink boxes featuring the company logo and illustrations of voodoo priests. They top their doughnuts with just about anything and everything; from grape flavored Tang, to Cap’n Crunch cereal, to my favorite - bacon. The namesake Voodoo Doughnut is shaped like a voodoo doll, oozes red jelly, and has a pretzel “pin” through the little voodoo doll’s doughnut heart. The day I went, the line snaked around the building but it moved pretty fast as we had fun joking with the other folks in line. Voodoo Doughnut is an experience not to be missed if you ever visit Portland! I can’t wait to see the places to explore in Buffalo, New York for the 2015 NAEOP conference. I have already marked my calendar. Let’s go to Buffalo July 22 – 25, 2015.

Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees

the doughnut; the pessimist the hole! ~ Oscar Wilde

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Proud To Be a 3D Member Submitted by Kim Richardson, M.A., CEOE

Ever since I went to my first Richland County AEOP (RCAEOP) meeting, I knew joining this organization would be a great decision. Not long after becoming a member of RCAEOP, I went on to join the South Carolina AEOP and then the National AEOP. This year I was given the opportunity to attend the national conference that was held across the country in Portland, Oregon. Portland is such a beautiful city and the people there were wonderful. Several of my colleagues and I were recognized for fulfilling Professional Standards Program requirements, and earning the distinction of Certified Educational Office Employee (CEOE). It was such a wonderful feeling being honored and recognized to the highest degree. Walking across that stage was a very humbling experience that I would not change for anything. While at the conference I attended several classes. Some classes encouraged team building, while others promoted loyalty and commitment to improving oneself. The classes were all fulfilling and I walked out taking away something very useful from each class. Currently, I am on four local committees, but next year my plan is to join committees at both the state and national levels. I have even thought about presenting a briefing at the national level. Overall, I rate my experience at the national conference as absolutely fantastic. I am encouraging my other colleagues who have not yet joined this organization to do so immediately. I feel so blessed to be a part of such magnificent organizations.

Illinois AEOP Conference Submitted by Ruth Burgess, CEOE

IAEOP President The 2014 NAEOP Conference in Portland, Oregon was a great opportunity for those who attended to grow professionally. The Illinois AEOP members who attended the conference are pictured in the photo above: (L-R) Dena Henricks, CEOE; Jackie Voorhees, CEOE; Ruth Burgess, CEOE; Martha Carson; and Thelma Webber. The conference had very good speakers and workshops. The tours showed how interesting and beautiful Portland, Oregon is. I want to invite all office professionals to the IAEOP Fall Conference on October 17 -18, 2014 at The Chateau in Bloomington, Illinois. The address for the hotel is 1601 Jumer Drive, Bloomington, Illinois 61704. This conference will focus on “Communication.” The conference information and registration forms will be posted on the IAEOP website at www.iaeop.com. Please join us and “Grow professionally through IAEOP.”

DATES TO REMEMBER October 4, 2014 Wyoming AESS Conference October 12 – 18, 2014 National Educational Office Professionals Career Awareness Week October 16, 2014 Bosses’ Day October 17 – 18, 2014 Illinois AEOP Conference October 23 – 24, 2014 Minnesota AEOP Conference October 23 – 24, 2014 Nebraska AEOP Fall Workshop October 23 – 25, 2014 Missouri AEOP Fall Conference October 23 – 26, 2014 New York State AEOP Conference November 6 – 7, 2014 Mid-Atlantic Area PD Days November 6 – 7, 2014 Arkansas AEOP Conference November 7, 2014 EOP of Ohio Fall Conference

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Cathy Eberle, Kim Richardson, CEOE and Wendy Heslink, CEOE

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Highlights from the 2014 NAEOP Conference

Happy 80th Birthday NAEOP Laura Nossel First Timers (Elementary Council Chairman)

Tina Gregory (First Timer) and Dr. Gene Sharratt (Guest Speaker) and Susan Belliston, CEOE, (Northwest Area Director) Gayle Schnorenberg, CEOE (NAEOP Foundation President) Cathy Eberle (2013-2014 NAEOP President) and Dr. Kappy Steck (Administrator of the Year)

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"The mission of the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP), the only national professional association for educational office personnel, is to provide professional growth opportunities, leadership, and service for employees in education through a specifically-designed certification program, quality training, a network for sharing information and ideas, recognition of achievements, and fellowship."

Visit NAEOP’s website at www. naeop.org

Don’t forget to check out NAEOP’s newest social media platforms!