No-boss day at Gilligan’s

Yesterday was a no-boss day in the Northern Marianas.

More than 100 administrative assistants and secretaries throughout the island received royal treatment from their respective bosses in their biggest gathering for the year at the Hyatt Regency Saipan yesterday.

The special luncheon organized by Hyatt Regency at the island’s prime entertainment center, Gilligan’s, was aimed at recognizing administrative assistants and secretaries and their contributions to the workplace.

A search for the three most outstanding secretaries of the year also highlighted the occasion, which was participated in by over 30 employers.

Judy Baricaua, of Saipan Sunset Cruise, Inc., bagged the prestigious title of being the Most Outstanding Secretary of 2000, besting more than 30 other candidates who were nominated by their respective employers.

According to her employer, Ms. Baricaua has the ability to give the best excuse ever to clients should her boss fail to make it to an appointment.

“She would say we had an emergency mechanical failure on the boat which I was attending to and ask if we could re-schedule the lunch. She would and probably take responsibility for not calling about the situation,” said her boss, Mike Stiepel.

Yoon Chang Law Office secretary Celia Mercado capped the second highest score from among the nominees as she was commended by her boss for her sense of responsibility.

JM Guerrero’s assistant, Vivian Ordanez was ranked third most outstanding secretary. Mr. Guerrero says Ms. Ordanez would avoid making up a story that could result to a more complicated situation had he failed to get it to his meeting.

The secretaries and administrative assistants were also treated to a showcase of the trendiest style in office wear by one of Saipan’s best fashion store – Pena House.

A collection of eight office apparel by Pena House were paraded by local models headed by 1999 Miss Northern Marianas-Universe Cherlyn Cabrera.

Professional Secretaries Week was started in the mainland U.S. in 1952 in an effort to attract young people to secretarial and administrative support careers.

The first National Secretaries Week was declared for June 1-7, 1952, and was changed in 1955 to the last full week of April. The occasion, starting this year, has assumed a new name: “Administrative Professionals Week.”

The new name was coined to encompass all administrative professionals, and since the term “secretary” now only covers a minority of those in administrative support occupations.

There are now 3.4 million secretaries and administrative assistants, and 1.4 million clerical supervisors and managers throughout the United States, and another 400,000 in Canada.

The special luncheon at the Gilligan’s, which was held to recognize the sector’s contributions to the workplace, was sponsored by Marianas Pacific Distributor, Inc., Pena House, Blue Bell, Saipan Cell and Communications, PWS, and Paradise Florist.