Having entered my 8th year on the NAPO-NY board and having just completed my 3rd term as NAPO-NY president, I might be a little biased. But the truth is, I wouldn’t have developed my leadership skills and would not have the business I have today without the NAPO-NY Chapter.
From the moment I walked into my first chapter meeting in October, 2008, I felt like I was supported by a community of colleagues. The chapter throughout the years has had strong and dedicated leadership and has offered all our members education, opportunities for growth, resources, referrals and best of all, friendships.
In a lot of ways, belonging to the chapter is a huge time-saver. When I need a resource for my clients, I’ve got 140 chapter members who I can reach out to via our Google group. My colleagues are resourceful, knowledgeable and respond quickly. I know I don’t need to re-invent the wheel when a client wants to sell her “antique puppets from Romania” and other super niche requests.
And when my clients need a mover, shredder or junk remover, I’ve got many Corporate Associate Members who I see every month and who I can recommend. It is so nice to say to a client not only is a company reliable and fantastic, but the owner is my friend or that I just saw the salesperson on Monday.
And of course where would we all be without the fantastic programming. I reached out to our members for some feedback and was reminded of the fantastic presentation from the preservation historian at the Metropolitan Museum. I was also reminded that we organizers can really get “dorky” on certain topics like recycling, mold and bedbugs! But best of all is when we get to hear the experience of our own. NAPO-NY’s new president, Rachel Sager, recently presented “Organizing from a Clinical Perspective.” As a licensed clinical social worker, Rachel offered an interesting overview of certain psychological conditions, recommendations on how to word touchy situations and practical advice like what to do if your client has a panic attack during your session.
Even chapter members who cannot regularly attend our monthly meetings, get a lot from NAPO-NY. Linda Samuels, a NAPO-NY member located in Westchester, NY said “The NAPO-NY chapter is awesome. And even though I rarely attend meetings, I DO feel connected…..the chapter does a great job communicating with its members. You let us know what’s going on, what’s coming up both locally and nationally……There’s always a lot of interesting things going on, which gives the feeling of vibrancy…I’m proud to be a card-carrying member.”
Linda, I couldn’t have said it better myself….I’m proud to be a card-carrying member too!
About the Author: Located in Manhattan, Collette Shine is the owner of Organize and Shine, LLC. Collette will work on just about any residential organizing project but especially loves working with photographs (both printed and digital). When she is not organizing, she is either watching or listening to sports, thinking about the next meal she is going to cook, or planning her next DIY project.
Hi, Colette:
I loved your blog post! I feel the same way about our NAPO Pittsburgh chapter. Being a chapter member has provided me support, education and leadership skills since the day I joined. And, I love to pass that enthusiasm on to new members. Thank you!
I’m not a member…yet! Would love to connect as I am considering a new career.
Colette,
Even though I’m in Indiana, you and your chapter colleagues made me want to be a NAPO-NYer when I met you at my first NAPO Conference in 2010, and you continue to spark that desire with your blog post. Sounds like NAPO-NY is a wonderfully vibrant community! Congratulations!
Such a great post capturing the essence of NAPO ! I think many of us would agree we’ve had the same experience. Thanks for sharing Colette!
I could not have said it better Collette. I agree that you get out of an organization what you put into it. I love both my chapters and participate in different ways. Both have given me so much support and helped to grow my business.