The Service to NAPO Award is bestowed to a NAPO volunteer, or group of volunteers, whose dedication and commitment to NAPO and their area of responsibility goes above and beyond. This award recipient is selected by the current NAPO President.
At the 2019 NAPO conference in Fort Worth, President Ellen Delap, CPO recognized the many volunteer contributions of Maria White, owner of Enuff with the Stuff in Virginia, with the prestigious Service to NAPO Award. Maria, who joined NAPO in 2007, has been particularly active in the area of membership, serving as the Membership Chair – Golden Circle from 2017 to 2019 and has been on the Membership Committee since 2016.
When presenting the award, Ellen Delap stated, “Maria has created a space for us all to celebrate our NAPO business and career successes with Toot Your Horn Tuesday. Each Tuesday, Golden Circle members share their achievements in our Golden Circle POINT community. Maria also spearheaded the creation of Golden Circle Masterminds, groups where we support each other to lead to even greater business success.”
We asked Maria a few questions to find out more about her road to achieving this accomplishment:
Q. How does one go from chapter volunteer to Service to NAPO Award winner?
A. I initially volunteered in the NAPO-Washington, DC lending library, then joined our chapter’s Membership Committee and ultimately became the national Chapter Relations Committee moderator for the Chapter Membership Director Community. From there, I moved on to Golden Circle*, which was originally not under the Membership umbrella. Once the committee charter changed, I became a Co-Chair for the Membership Committee. Now, I am simply in charge of “GC.”
*The Golden Circle designation acknowledges the expertise of members who have been members in good standing for five years or more.
Q. Tell us about “Toot Your Horn Tuesday.”
A. “Toot Your Horn Tuesday” is a feature in the Golden Circle community in POINT. Unless you attend conference every year, you would never know about the amazing solutions people have found for their businesses. “Toot Your Horn Tuesday” is a chance for NAPO members to learn from, and celebrate, these creative accomplishments in a supportive community. I am so impressed by the achievements our Golden Circle members share each week.
Q. What inspired you to start Toot Your Horn and be such an advocate?
A. Every time I went to conference and met organizers from all over the country doing unique things in their businesses, it dawned on me that conference was the only time anyone could hear about these fantastic success stories. It bothered me that there wasn’t a platform for us to learn what others are doing and to celebrate their successes together! As soon as I became the Golden Circle Chair, that was the first initiative I wanted to implement. My mom used to tell me that sometimes we all need to toot our own horns in life so that flashed in my head when I was thinking about a way to highlight our amazingly talented membership.
Q. What are Golden Circle Mastermind Groups?
A. Golden Circle Mastermind groups give members the opportunity to pursue business goals with greater focus. The groups are completely organized and run by the members who put themselves on the master sign-up list. It is up to the members to check the list and initiate forming a group by contacting other members themselves.
Q. How has volunteering helped to build and grow your business?
A. Volunteering has given me the opportunity to have my suggestions and ideas heard and, in some cases, implemented. By getting involved, I am connected to so many movers and shakers within NAPO. This supportive network has given me the confidence to take the leap and pursue new things within my own business.
Q. Where have you found support in NAPO and how has it changed your business?
A. NAPO has been a great resource for me since I began my business. I have told so many new organizers that I truly don’t think I would still be in business today without the support, education, resources, and NAPO members I have met over the years. Being exposed to so many iterations of the organizing business throughout NAPO has given me a wealth of background experience I can learn from. It has been an invaluable motivator to seek my own path in business.
Q. What volunteer advice would you give to newer NAPO members?
A. I recommend starting at the chapter level by accepting volunteer opportunities at the micro-level. Such micro-volunteering might involve a few, very specific tasks. Getting started with small assignments helps new members build a reputation within their chapter while learning more about NAPO and the many different ways you can offer your services as a professional organizer.
About the author: Dorothee Racette is a member of the Awards & Recognition Committee and owner of Take Back My Day Time Management and Productivity Coaching and has been a NAPO member since 2015.
Do you feel inspired to become a NAPO volunteer? There are many volunteer opportunities in local NAPO Chapters and at the national level. Gain valuable insight and business experience along with the opportunity to meet inspiring leaders in our profession, like Maria.
Click here for the Volunteer Interest Form or go to POINT -> Volunteer -> Volunteer Interest Form. (NAPO Members only)