expanding role.

About 20 have formed a committee to establish a Bermuda chapter of Professional Secretaries International (PSI).

And this week some of the founding members said the need for such a group was not only underscored by the large number of foreign "temp'' secretaries working on the Island, but was imperative if secretaries planned to survive and thrive in the profession.

Stressing that PSI's local chapter was in its preliminary stages and had not yet obtained its charter status, president Mrs. Valerie Smith said the group hoped to attract secretaries from all levels -- office clerks to executive assistants.

And in light of next week marking Secretaries' Week, she said the organisation intended to make sure that those in the field received the recognition they deserved.

Noting the PSI motto, "Proficient, Sincere, and Indispensable,'' Mrs. Smith said: "The community needs to recognise that the role of the secretary has changed. It is no longer just answering the telephone and filing.

"Through PSI they (secretaries) can gain recognition and personal visibility while strengthening their image in the office.'' Secretaries who join PSI can also meet with experts, benefit from various programmes offered through the organisation, and keep up to date with advances in secretarial work around the world by reading PSI's magazine, "The Secretary'', and its newsletter.

Explaining that PSI originated in the US more than 50 years ago, Mrs. Smith said its mission was to acknowledge the leadership skills of office professionals, to enhance the individual, and improve their competence and influence.

The local group's spokeswoman Mrs. Melody Parris said this was essential as secretaries had taken on a more administrative role.

"Many Bermudians who are working in the secretarial profession go to Bermuda College and obtain a diploma for that,'' she said. "And that's fine. But sometimes businesses are looking for more.

"And I feel there are a lot of persons in the secretarial profession who want to get ahead, but don't know what courses to take.

"Therefore it's hard for them to gain qualifications without experience and it's hard for them to get experience without qualifications. So many get disappointed.'' Mrs. Smith added that employers were usually looking for secretaries with more exposure from abroad.

And, she said, in this time of recession when many local secretaries could not afford to go or be sent abroad, they could upgrade their skills here through courses PSI hopes to sponsor at the Bermuda College.

Mrs. Smith said the group had been talking with the associate dean of the College's Centre for Adult and Continuing Education about sponsoring the CPS (Certificate of Professional Secretary) exam once it gets its charter status.

The local chapter is also planning to have other enhancement courses such as OPAC (Office Proficiency Assessment Course) available through the college.

So far the group has hosted a social night at the Bermuda College to bring secretaries from throughout Bermuda together and to provide them with basic information about PSI.

Members also meet about once a week.

The next meeting will be held on Friday, April 23, at the Bermuda Public Services Association on the corner of Angle Street and Cedar Avenue, beginning at 1 p.m.

The local chapter is also inviting secretaries to American Management Association and PSI's sixth annual Secretaries Briefing at the college next Wednesday from 1.30 to 4.30 p.m.

Anyone interested in joining the local chapter can contact Mrs. Smith at the Bermuda College, vice president Mrs. Thelma Hart at the BPSA, recording secretary Mrs. Leleath Bailey at the Department of Youth and Sport or Mrs.

Parris at 297-7976.

JOINING FORCES -- These 10 women, with secretarial experience ranging from eight to 27 years, represent PSI's local chapter. In front (from left) are members Mrs. Angela Todd, Mrs. Dawn Broadbelt, Mrs. Una Lewis, and president Mrs. Valerie Smith. Second row (from left) are recording secretary Mrs.

Leleath Bailey, member Miss Jane-Ann Smith, vice president Mrs. Thelma Hart; and back row (from left) are corresponding secretary Mrs. Bridgitte Simons, public relations officer Mrs. Melody Parris, and acting treasurer Mrs. Pamela Pearman.