As we move into this new decade, I hope you will join me in celebrating the value of NAPO, the value of us AND the value we, as NAPO members, bring to others. 2020 marks 35 years since our five founders formalized our association and defined professional organizing as a profession.

The year was 1985. Some of you weren’t born, others, like I, remember where we were and what we were doing. Many events from that year have impacted us, our relationships with each other, the diversity of our profession and our work with our clients:

• The Internet’s Domain Name System was created, the first .com.
• Microsoft Corporation released the first version of Windows, Windows 1.0.
• The charity single record “We are the World” was recorded by USA for Africa, and the Live Aid concert raised $127 million for famine relief in Africa.
• More than 20 percent of American homes had a VCR, and the first Blockbuster Video opened.
• The first Nintendo home video game console in the United States was released as the Nintendo Entertainment System.
• The movie “Back to the Future” was released.
• The Food and Drug Administration approved a blood test for AIDS, used since then to screen all blood donations in the United States.

Simultaneously as the world has evolved, so has NAPO. We have gone from 5 founders in the Los Angeles area to over 3,500 members worldwide. We have an 11-member Board of Directors, 30 Chapters, 13 Committees, 12 Special Interest Groups, a certification program, an annual conference, a robust education program, a strong social media presence, over 500 volunteers and an HQ Team that supports our operations. 

We are the reflection of a more diverse, inclusive and expanding profession. The services we provide and how we offer them are as diverse as we are. We offer our expertise virtually, in books and publications, in the media, in the classroom and on the stage. We no longer need to own our own businesses to be successful in this career. We have talents, skills, education, and certifications that enable us to have a significant impact on those people, businesses, and communities we serve.

As we move into our future, I encourage you to join me in welcoming this new decade and to continue celebrating with me — the value of NAPO, the value of us AND the value we, as NAPO members, bring to others.  

NAPO’s future is ours!

Happy New Year and Warm Regards,