Starting a PA Forum

This toolkit was launched at PAFSA's annual Inter-Committee-Convention held at Kievits Kroon in Gauteng.

This toolkit has been placed online so that it is available for all PAs/Admin and secretarial organisations worldwide.

In brief: Why start an in-house forum

Some of the benefits of a PA Forum include:

Enabling the necessary access to important operational information and tools, to ensure that updated information is available through electronic channels to the PA community.
Assisting setting standards across the organisation.
Ensuring consistent training, mentorship and skills development is available to all PAs.
Sharing of knowledge and ensuring that PAs are well informed and understand their role in the organization.
Enabling the PAs to be champions for change by challenging old habits and ensuring that policies and procedures are optimised.
Creating a sense of team dynamic and an opportunity to network for all PAs.
To fullfil the company's core values.

The ultimate aim would be to establish a best of breed and a standard of excellence among the organisation PA community.

Profile of the PA who can start/lead and in-house PA Forum:

To manage the organisation PA's training, development and operational needs.

Key Outputs

Ability to understand the various PA roles within the organisation.
Provide one-on-one coaching and mentoring where applicable.
Manage and set up monthly PA Induction training sessions for new and current PAs.
Set up operational training initiative as required by business owners.
Provide bespoke certified and SETA approved training courses.
Work with both organisation training department and secretarial vendors to ensure best outcome and value for company's PAs.
Ability to liaise with all company business units to ensure training and operational processes are adequately communicated to the PA community.
Initiate and maintain PA Resource folder.
Communicate all relevant business information and updates on a regular basis to the PA community.
Provide bespoke training sessions on soft skills.
Encourage LMS learning.
Provide monthly information sessions for the PA community.
Manage Secretaries Day, Boss's Day and all other events which affects and incentivize the PA community.
Plan and organise an annual PA conference.
Manage and prepare a budget for the PA forum cost centre.
Be available to co-interview and assess new PA forum cost centre.
Ensure an updated PA contact list is maintained.
Communicate ongoing business information to the PA community.
Prepare monthly and annual reports.

Competencies

Ability to lead and inspire all PAs within the organisation.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to take accountability, responsibility and ownership.
Ability to take initiative and exercise sound judgement and decision-making.
Ability to work in a highly pressurized environment.
Ability to deal positively with change and uncertainty.
Strong business acumen.
Strong quality orientation.
Strong organizational skills.
Self motivated and hard working.
Proactive.
Able to identify, nurture and develop PA talent.
Customer oriented.
High degree of accuracy and attention to detail essential.
High groomed and professional, and sets an example for their PAs confidentiality.
Sound work ethics.
Team player.

Above information courtesy of Cathy Harris

PAFSA