Support Your Professional Organizations
- jondab
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
I am a Professional Organizer.
When I first started my career in June 2006, I immediately joined the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO) although it had a slightly different name at that time. Not only did I immediately join the national chapter but I also joined our Napo Georgia Chapter. Later on in my career I also joined the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) and Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD).
In 2006 after 30 years as a Special Educational teacher, I knew how to teach people with special needs and I was organized. But I had no business background and no real understanding about how to tackle big organizational projects. I needed these Professional Organizations. I needed their support and the education they provided.
But for these organizations to be there for me and others they need our support as well.
Half of the NAPO chapters in the country have closed since 2020. I feel blessed that our Georgia chapter has survived due to willing volunteers that are serving on our board for the past five Boards.
To continue they need our support.
How can we give this support?
1. Join
First of all, join and pay the dues. Organizations need money to continue to work.
2. Attend
Attend the meetings and the conferences. My first year I attended the NAPO conference and until very recently have attended almost every year. I attend most monthly meetings of my local NAPO chapter. I attend the ICD conferences regularly as well.
3. Participate
Volunteer to work on committees and special projects. Volunteer to be on the board.
4. Network
Go to networking events other than just meetings. Connect with other members on LinkedIn or follow them on Facebook or other social media sites. Support the people in your professional organizations.
5. Inform
Highlight the Professional Organization in your writings and blogs. Talk to other people in your field who have not joined and let them know what is available with the membership.
6. Give Feedback
Respond to questionaries and give feedback to the organization about what you love and what you would like to see changed.
Why is it important to give support and keep the organizations viable?
1. Support from peers
Peer support gives us a sense of belonging and reduces our sense of isolation. As a sole entrepreneur this is invaluable to me. Sharing our challenges and giving support to each other helps us get through tough times. As we get to know each other better, we also are comfortable referring to each other.
2. Continuing education
Our local chapter has guest speakers that share information that is helpful to our businesses. ICD and NAPO have some great classes. Conferences have top notch speakers. New information is readily available.
3. Credibility and trust
Being a member means that you follow a code of ethics and that you take your profession seriously. People searching for professional organizers will be more likely to contact you. You may also have certification through the organizations.
Supporting our professional organizations requires that we make a personal investment. If we don’t give that support, we may eventually lose the organization as it operates now. I value the chance to stay connected with my peers, stay informed, and remain visible.
My challenge to you is that you review what you are currently doing for your Professional Organizations and see if you can do even more.
Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients.
I wasn't aware of the chapters closing either. It's sad, but it's happened to many organizations since the pandemic. The Women's Canadian Club of Hamilton dissolved after 113 years. I was not a member, but I know people who were, and it was quite a shock. I tried to take the VA group that I run back to in-person after than pandemic, but people just didn't want to go out, so we've now been virtual for 6+ years and it's going really well.
Hey, I remember when we took that photo! In the past twenty-five years, I've done all of the things you've described. I joined (nationally and the chapter). I attended, every monthly meeting and every conference (up until the pandemic, at least). Oh, how I participated, volunteering for the chapter, for national committees, even on boards. I've tried to inform, and goodness knows, I've given my share of feedback. ;-) And yes, it yields all the benefits you describe. Sometimes, it's easy to get burned out on a little too much supportive participation, but overall, it's exactly as you describe. I suspect chapters are closing for a number of reasons. The internet has made it easier for some people to develop their businesses…
Like you, I joined NAPO and quickly NAPO-CT. I love my local community, and have volunteered in various ways over the years. We just had our summer social and it was a lot of fun. I always learn from my peers, and am thankful for this group since I run a solo operation.
I didn't know that half the local chapters had closed. Wow.
Great reminder, I didn't know about the NAPO chapters closing. That is sad.
I knew about several NAPO chapters that were struggling or closed, but I didn't realize that half of the NAPO chapters have closed in the past six years. Wow! That's a staggering statistic.
My organizing company was started in 1993, and I joined NAPO National and NAPO-NY soon after. I didn't know about those organizations when I first started. They found me, and I was so happy to find wonderful colleagues who have become lifelong friends. I also joined ICD, which used to be NSGCD, and am an active member of NAPO Westchester.
The value of being involved, volunteering, getting education, and having fellow colleagues to consult with has been extraordinary. These associations don't run by themselves. And while some…