|
Welcome to our May eNewsletter!
“State of the Association”
As my term as President draws to a close on May 13, I want to welcome Sarah Nieto and her team as your new President and Board for 2021-2022. I also want to express my gratitude to each member of our Board for all of their time and hard work and to reflect on what we accomplished.
We’re still here!
All of the unexpected challenges of a world-wide pandemic could not stop us! We stayed connected, pivoted our business models, retained our highest level of membership in recent memory, are financially sound, have launched a new website, and have come together as one to team up with Furnishing Dignity on not one - but two - amazing GO Month events. We’ve also successfully collected items to benefit women and children in need through Soles for Souls, and The Bra Recyclers.
Our vision!
The Vision Statement that emerged at our Board Retreat on May 28, 2019 was “To maximize the return on investment for current and prospective members.” To that end, we endeavored to:
-
have programs that educate, entertain, and enlighten both new and seasoned members
-
help members grow their businesses so they can do the work for which they have a passion
-
measure all of our activities against this vision statement and monitor our progress
We polled our members, and for the balance of 2019 and the first two months of 2020, we took the following action based on their interests and requests:
-
added “business builder” meetings to increase and enhance the skills necessary to successfully build and run a business.
-
extended presentations on client interaction from 45 minutes to one hour to give our members opportunities to earn CEUs (Continuing Education Units) for qualifying programs.
-
scheduled 3 social networking gatherings throughout the Valley to give members more networking opportunities.
Value for Your Membership Dues!
The initial investment of NAPO National and NAPO-AZ dues - added to other start-up costs - can seem like a considerable expense. The Board added to its mission statement the following goals to give you value for your investment in NAPO: Get Educated! Get Engaged! Get Employed!
Get Educated!
When I asked how many Board members had had a New Member Orientation Call when they joined, no hands went up (including mine!) So, starting in 2020, I invited new members to join a call and learn about the 800+ resources NAPO and NAPO-AZ offer, including a New Member Kit, podcasts, and books designed to help jumpstart and grow your business. We toured the website, visited the Member Area, and checked out the NAPO-AZ Library to name a few stops on the tour.
Get Engaged!
To keep members informed and engaged, the newsletter was expanded to encourage attendance at monthly chapter meetings, and to highlight our Business Partners, the Librarian’s monthly recommendations, and members’ achievements and birthdays. This year we also added monthly “Coffee Chats” so our Business Partners and members could get to know each other better.
Get Employed!
Members ultimately want to work! In 2019 we started the “Willing to Work” Subcontractor List to connect experienced organizers who are hiring with members looking for work. Connections made through subcontracting have led to employment, support, and lasting friendships. Sign up via the link in the monthly newsletter.
“It takes a village” and so I must thank this amazing Board who gave unselfishly of their time and expertise to support this organization and keep it viable for future members. So much gratitude goes to: Missy Feldman, Secretary; Cindy Keefe, Treasurer; Denise Stalsberg, Director of Membership; Sarah Nieto, Director of Programs and Newsletter; and Sheri MacGregor, Director of Marketing, as well as Past President, Wendy Wilson; Librarian, Debbi Bertolet; Golden Circle, Valerie Cantrell, and NAPO Ambassador, Bridges Conner. And thanks, to our members who hung in there during the challenges of 2020! Let’s build on what we learned and have a great year ahead!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart and all of the best to the new Board of Directors!
Deb Lawrence, President
“We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us.”
|
