It’s exciting to lead our thriving association and get to know smart, professional colleagues in an expanding industry. It’s thrilling to be at the front of what is a bustling industry that makes a difference in the everyday lives and work of people. This has been a fantastic year for me to serve as the President of NAPO and I want to share my State of NAPO Address with you!
NAPO Empowers and Partners with Us In Our Businesses and Careers
I’d like to share just one of many NAPO stories with you about our relationships. It’s a story of us…
Amanda Wiss met Eileen Bergman before the NAPO Annual Conference. Many referrals were passed between the two women, then one day came Urban Clarity’s largest referral which amounted to over $50,000. As a gracious thanks, Amanda gave Eileen tickets to the play Hamilton. And guess the name of that client – Hamilton!
That’s just one example of the power of our relationships and our connection to NAPO, but there are hundreds more.
5 Ways NAPO Empowers our Businesses and Careers
Even though I could spend days telling you how NAPO has empowered me, I wanted to share my Top 5 List of the ways NAPO empowers all of us.
1. NAPO Education
We’re education junkies and NAPO has the stuff we need. It’s our certificate programs, on-demand education, and course bundles. NAPO offers top-notch affordable education with 24/7 access through NAPO University. Our Specialist Certificates are game changers. I myself just completed the Household Management Specialist Certificate and loved each class. As Deborah Gussoff, In Place owner says, the Specialist Certificate programs have provided that additional education, which in turn helps her with her clients. NAPO University education ranks as a top member benefit.
2. Certification
We have the gold standard here at NAPO. It’s our certification program, the Certified Professional Organizer® (CPO®). This is about credibility, education, and ethics. As my friend Janice Simon, who works at M.D. Anderson says, the CPO certification gives her additional credibility inside an institution that values credibility and certifications. Congrats to our over 350+ CPOs. We’re growing!
3. NAPO Leadership
There’s a leader in each of us. We have opportunities to lead that include major and micro-volunteering. Our industry has a passion for making a difference and these opportunities are available to each of us. As my friend and President-Elect Susie Hayman says, NAPO leadership gives her the opportunity to empower others. Be sure you are signed up to share your strengths and talents.
4. Financial Success
No matter what our financial goals are, NAPO is here to support you in meeting them. NAPO members can scale their businesses to the size that works for them, can be a team member in a larger business, or decide on a career organizing within another arena or company. We support financial success in supporting each other. As my friend Lisa Mark says, she and a mentee worked together on a project that included over 35 subcontractors of various forms. Together they earned 5 figures in 6 days. That’s how we can support and work together to earn what we want.
5. Work-Life Integration
NAPO gives us the opportunity to create balance in our work and life. That’s my largest personal success story. Each Friday, I close the week off at 12 noon to start “Gigi Friday”. That’s when I spend the afternoon with my grandkids. I appreciate the flexibility of my work and the opportunity to spend every Friday afternoon with my grands.
NAPO is thriving because of each and every one of us and our partnership with NAPO. As we move forward with our work and careers, there is no limit to what we can accomplish together.
As I end my term, I want to thank each of you for the amazing opportunity to lead our association. It’s beyond my biggest dream to lead the smartest, most innovative, most collaborative members in our bustling association and growing industry.
It has been my pleasure and an honor,
Ellen