Dear NAPO Members,

As I was considering the theme of this month’s message, I went back and re-read my August 2019 one. I wrote about summer as a time of relaxation, vacation, fun, and a time for reflection, a season that provides us the opportunity to slow down, disconnect, experience something new, and dream about our future.

Ironically, the summer of 2020, although it hasn’t included the vacation and fun I expected, has given me the time to reflect, slow down, experience and learn something new, and think about the future. As an extrovert, I miss the physical connections, yet I’ve adapted to wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and using hand sanitizer. At the same time, experiencing the pandemic has made me realize the value of my family, my friends, my clients, and my NAPO family. It’s put a new perspective on everything, through a personal, professional, and NAPO lense:

• I cook more and enjoy exploring new recipes.
• I seldom wear make-up, except the eyes occasionally; my face feels renewed.
• I can consult a doctor, without leaving home. My father was a pediatrician who made house calls; maybe that’s the future.
• I am able to spend more quality time with my family.
• I have re-connected with more friends than I ever thought I had. It used to be a phone call and now it’s Zoom, Facetime or Skype.
• I’m able to consult with clients without leaving home; I save money on gas.
• Being a podcast guest is becoming normal for me.
• I’ve taken classes and listened to webinars, because I had the time to do so.
• I’m fortunate to be NAPO President at a time in which NAPO’s financial health is strong and allowed us to offer additional member benefits when our members needed them the most.
• We pulled off NAPO’s first virtual Annual Meeting, it was smooth and we were able to record it.
• I’m proud of the NAPO Board for rocking a 2-day virtual strategic planning retreat; “productive” was our middle name!
• I appreciate our NAPO HQ team for holding us together, as they, too, experience working from home.
• I’ve watched NAPO’s committees and members collaborate and create numerous free member webinars in the past few months.
• I’m grateful to our NAPO’s SIGs and chapters, who are using video platforms to educate and stay connected and opening up many of their programs to all NAPO members.

Yes, although the summer of 2020 is different in many ways for all of us, our value remains constant. This summer, more than ever, I see NAPO members helping members, and that just makes me so proud. What better way to exemplify the value of NAPO and the value of each of us!

Stay healthy and enjoy your summer!

Warmest regards,

Susie Hayman