I am a Fellow of the Institute of Qualified Professional Secretaries and membership entitles me to use the letters FIQPS after my name.

In 1977 I joined as a Student Member when at college studying for the LCCI Private Secretary's Certificate. Attainment of this qualification entitled me to Associate Membership of the Institute and was gained after passing 5 separate examinations:

• Office Organisation Equipment and Services
• Private Secretarial Practice - Communications
• Private Secretarial Practice – Private Secretarial Duties
• Structure of Business
• Shorthand Typewriting Duties

Ten years later, having worked first as a Junior Secretary, then as Secretary/PA, I studied part-time for the Private & Executive Secretary's Diploma – a post-graduate level qualification.

Achievement of this qualification entitled me to Full Membership which was gained after passing the following 6 separate examinations and interview;

• Communication – Use of English
• Communication – Meetings
• Communication – Audio Transcription
• Secretarial Administration
• Management Appreciation
• Interview

In 1984 I was a founder member of the Kent & Sussex Weald branch of IQPS. I served 10 years on the Committee, holding the positions of Publicity Officer, Branch Chairman, Secretary and member without portfolio.

During my Chairmanship the branch hosted an International Conference and National AGM of the Institute held in Eastbourne. We welcomed delegates from the USA, Germany, The Bahamas, Japan, Taiwan and held a full weekend programme of professional development for members and guests, together with a business exhibition. We were pleased to welcome the Mayor of Eastbourne to a civic reception and formal dinner during the weekend.

In 1988 I attended the Convention in San Antionio, Texas, USA of Professional Secretaries' International – the American equivalent of IQPS. As the only attendee from the UK, I delivered a speech to the 1600 or so delegates from 23 countries around the world from the National Chairman of IQPS and networked with secretaries from other affiliated secretarial organisations.

In 1992 I formed and chaired a working party to implement an Entrance Test to gain additional membership to the Institute. This was a four-year project and adopted at the AGM of the Institute in 1996.

In 1994 I was elected to the Council of Management of IQPS and served as a Director of the company for two years.

In 1996 I was awarded a Fellowship for my work on the implementation of the Entrance Test and other contributions to IQPS.

In 2006 I and nine other UK IQPS members attended the 6th International Secretarial Summit, held in Brisbane, Australia and spent 5 days networking with and discussing issues concerning office professionals around the world.

During the 30 years of my IQPS membership I have attended many business events, national and international conferences, workshops and continued my professional development whilst networking locally, nationally and internationally.

I am still an active member of IQPS, attending national and local events – Kent & Sussex Weald branch will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2009.