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.

During the NAPO 2021 Virtual Conference, NAPO President, Susie Hayman, announced that Wendy Buglio of Wendy Buglio Consulting, LLC is the recipient of the 2021 Service to NAPO Award! Susie said in her introduction, “This NAPO member has been a member since 2007 and began volunteering immediately for her local Chapter. As she was serving in various leadership roles on her Chapter board, including Chapter President, she began volunteering on the national level, as a member of the Conference Program Committee. A positive force, her warm and collaborative style motivates, empowers, and inspires others. Even when life takes its twists and curves, she rallies the troops and remains optimistic and upbeat.This member’s most unique and probably most memorable role was that of Conference Program Committee Chair for the conference that wasn’t—NAPO2020. The 2021 Service to NAPO award goes to a true champion for NAPO, Wendy Buglio, CPO.”

We set out to learn more about Wendy’s journey to achieving this accomplishment:

Q.  How did you feel, and what did you think, when you learned that you won the award?

I was totally surprised! I had settled in to watch the annual meeting at the NAPO 2021 Virtual Conference, and the next thing I knew, I was seeing pictures of myself on the screen. It was really an honor.

Q.  Tell us about your NAPO involvement.

I joined NAPO in 2007 when I started my business, and then got involved in my Chapter (NAPO-New England) right away. I went on to serve four years on the Chapter board, including two terms as President. I also was an instructor for our Chapter’s New Organizer Workshops. In 2017, I started my NAPO National volunteer work by joining the Conference Program Committee, working on the NAPO 2018 and NAPO 2019 programs, and then serving as Chair for NAPO 2020. I then continued on the NAPO 2021 Program Committee, before being elected as Member Director to the NAPO National Board, starting my term this past May.

Q.  What has been most rewarding about your NAPO volunteer experience?

Hands-down, it’s the relationships. I have met so many colleagues from across the country and around the world, many of whom I call friends. Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely experience, and it’s wonderful to have so many shoulders to lean on and smart people to learn from.

Q.  Describe your most gratifying NAPO or business experience?

Even though the NAPO 2020 Conference had to be canceled because of COVID, I was thrilled that we were able to bring our innovative opening program to the NAPO 2021 Virtual Conference. The Conference Committee worked really hard to produce this program, and it felt amazing to see it come to fruition.

Q.How has volunteering helped to build and grow your business?

I can trace specific clients and business back to referrals from NAPO colleagues that I have come to know through volunteering together. The leadership opportunities and professional development that I experience as a NAPO volunteer makes me a better productivity consultant and organizer to my clients, leader to my employees and team, and partner to my business network.

Q. Where have you found support in NAPO and how has it changed your business?

I have found several wonderful mentors through my volunteer work that helped me challenge myself and take brave steps in my career, and I’m so grateful to them all.

Q. How does one go from Chapter volunteer to Service to NAPO Award winner?

I’m a believer that “givers get,” and that I can’t ask for more out of an organization than I’m willing to put in. So, when I volunteer, I tend to give it my all! I think my volunteer experience has paralleled my business growth and that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. It’s really an honor to serve NAPO.

Q. What volunteer advice would you give to newer NAPO members?

Don’t hesitate to step up and get involved! Being new to the industry shouldn’t hold you back, and your efforts will pay off in more ways than you can imagine.

This interview was conducted by Angela Loveless, owner of Actually Organized by Angela, based in Chicago, IL. Angela is a member of the Awards & Recognition Committee.