by Dan Thurmon

Greetings NAPO! I am tremen-

dously excited for the fast-

approaching opportunity to

speak at your Annual Confer-

ence in Baltimore. I stand in

awe of your abilities and look

forward to sharing ideas with

you, while learning from your

expertise. But also, I wish to

offer a word of caution: The

strategies that have made you

professionally successful may

be insufficient to organize your

life.

Organization experts, such as

you, are masters of efficiency.

When tackling a project, such

as a room, office, or business,

you rapidly devise solutions and

strategies to minimize clutter

and maximize function. Each

item is assigned a location,

neatly compartmentalized from

other important information in

other areas.

You have been told that this is

the same strategy, compart-

mentalization, to apply to your

life, generally. Each aspect of

life, we are taught by well mean-

ing “experts,” belongs in its own

“compartment,” and what we

should hope to achieve is a

condition of balance among our

important endeavors, such as

work, family, health, spirit, and

personal interests.

Allow me to offer you a chal-

lenging (and liberating) thought:

Not only is this idea insufficient.

It is also dead wrong. “Life Bal-

ance” is a concept that is intri-

guing, desirable, and also com-

pletely unrealistic. You and I will

never achieve perfect balance.

Even if we could, it would not be

sustainable, or desirable. The

reality is that in life you are

perpetually off balance, invest-

ed in each moment with a bias

toward achieving something

meaningful or worthwhile. Being

“off balance” is how you will

learn, grow, improve yourself,

and best serve your clients. The

question is: Are you off balance

in response to what is happen-

ing, or are you Off Balance On

Purpose?

I wrote a book of that title, Off

Balance On Purpose, in order to

free you from the flawed strate-

gy and perpetual frustration of

attempting to “balance” your

life. Two important meanings

are intended. First, that we are

most effective, productive and

happy when embracing the “off

balance” reality of life. And sec-

ondly, you should intentionally

choose to take action and initi-

ate meaningful changes.

I advocate an approach that

encompasses five “spheres,” or

vital areas, for a successful,

fulfilling life. They are: work,

relationships, health, spiritual

growth, and personal interests.

Now many books about balance

advocate that you compart-

mentalize your life – separate

these aspects of life from each

other, so that you can protect

your time in each area and en-

sure that each aspect gets its

own, individual attention. This is

ridiculous.

First of all, you don’t have un-

limited time to pull this off. Time

is finite, and you only have the

time that you have! Secondly,

these five spheres are constant-

ly intersecting and overlapping

where it matters most – in your

thinking. Decisions about how

you will spend your time, mon-

ey, and energy affect not one

sphere alone. They affect every-

thing. This reality leads many to

the belief that improving vari-

ous aspects of life is a mutually

exclusive, win-lose proposition.

For example, we think we can

be successful in business, but

only at the expense of success

somewhere else, such as our

health, or important relation-

ships.

Good news: Your five spheres

don’t have to be “mutually ex-

clusive.” They can be “mutually,

beautifully supportive” of one

another. You can, and I believe,

should be able to set goals and

continue to grow in each of the

five spheres of life, simultane-

ously. To accomplish this feat,

first recognize that they exist

together in what I call your “Life

Pattern.”

(continued on page 3)

Organizing Life

March, 2012

San Diego Statement

March is:

National Ethics Awareness

Month

Return the Borrowed Books

Week - March 4 - 10

Check Your Batteries Day -

March 11

Optimism Month

National Quilting Day -

March 17

National Caffeine Awareness

Month

Inside this issue:

Challenge the Status Quo -

Why Veterans Need To Go To

Conference

4

Soles4Souls and NAPO-San

Diego Shoe Drive Results

5

Why Is It So Hard for Adults

with ADHD to Get (and Stay)

Organized?

6

Organizer Certification: Sort-

ing the What?, How? and Why?

8

Golden Circle Launches

EXCITING New Events at

Baltimore Conference

10

Upcoming Program 11

Meeting Information 12

Newsletter of the National Association of Professional Organizers - San Diego Chapter

Volume 5, Issue 9

Dan Thurmon

Page 2 March, 2012

NAPO-San Diego Leadership

Board of Directors

President, Sue Crum

Vice President, Lyn Santina

Secretary, Denise Levine

Treasurer, Liz Davis

Immediate Past President,

Jan Davis

Director of Marketing,

Theresa Finnigin

Director of Membership,

Barbara Langdorf

Committee Members

BCPO Liaison & Study Group

Coordinator, Sue Crum

Chapter Inventory Custodian,

Risa Goldberg, CPO®

Chapter Portrait Gallery,

Donna Cowan, CPO®

Database Coordinator & Meeting

Invitations, Leah Slayen

Golden Circle Chair,

Donna Cowan, CPO®

Librarian, Jan Behrhorst

Meeting Displays, Liz Davis

Member Roster,

Jana Hartwell, CPO®

New Member Orientation,

Therese Hall

Newsletter, Sandy Mathews

Prospective Organizer Meeting

Chair, Diana Hill

Recycling and Donations,

Liz Davis

Registrar/Hospitality Team,

Donna Cowan, CPO®, Risa Gold-

berg, CPO®, Jean Kleint, Leah

Slayen, and Elaine Worman

Website Coordinator,

Sandy Mathews

Yahoo! Groups Manager,

Lyn Santina

Did You Know...

In 2012, over 100 million people in the U.S. will be over

50 years old. Source: Transgenerational.org

The average worker wastes 2.5 hours a week looking for

documents missing in poorly organized electronic files. Source: Harmon.ie and uSamp

70% of American workers desire to own their own busi-

ness. Source: Dr. Donald E. Wetmore

Get a grip on the gadgets.Get a grip on the gadgets.

They may claim to make your life easier, but They may claim to make your life easier, but

those “mustthose “must--haves” and “timesavers” on the haves” and “timesavers” on the

market can also clutter your life. Before buying market can also clutter your life. Before buying

an item, ask “Is there anything I already own an item, ask “Is there anything I already own

that can do the same thing?” Examine your that can do the same thing?” Examine your

cabinets and closets with the same eye toward cabinets and closets with the same eye toward

efficiency, then weed out the excess.efficiency, then weed out the excess.

2012-2013 NAPO-San Diego Chapter Board of Directors

Below is the slate of the 2012-2013 NAPO-San Diego Chapter Board of Directors candi-

dates. Since none of the positions are contested, we can conduct a voice vote at the

March meeting, which means you don’t have to send in a ballot.

Position Candidate

President Jana Hartwell

Vice President Denise Levine

Treasurer Liz Corso Davis

Secretary April Merritt

Director at Large Kevin Hall

Director of Membership Natasha Rickert

Page 3 March, 2012

Organizing Life

As you will see in my keynote presentation, I

use the concept of juggling to teach and

demonstrate how we can effectively man-

age multiple objectives. What you see in

this diagram is the actual representation of

a five ball (or five sphere) juggling pattern.

The arrows demonstrate the direction of the

spheres in motion. The double lines signify

the pattern that they will trace through the

air. At the peaks of the pattern (top right

and left), the balls begin to fall towards the

hands, where they are thrown across the

body to continue the symphony of move-

ment. The pattern for five balls looks, inter-

estingly enough, like an infinity sign.

Life is not static. It is fluid – forever chang-

ing and expanding. We cannot compart-

mentalize life because the objects (or objec-

tives) do not remain where we place them.

However, what you can do is integrate the

aspects of your life into a “symphony of

movement” that allows each of our spheres

to grow towards its “infinite potential.”

I will show you, in Baltimore, how this is

possible. But in the meantime, here are

some ideas you can think about, and imple-

ment, to improve your life experience and

personal effectiveness.

1. Align your spheres. Set goals in each

area in ways that they support one

another. If your spheres are on a

collision course because they are in

conflict, then no amount of effort can

avoid conflict and frustration. As you

design your life pattern, you must see

the whole of what you are attempting

to achieve and determine, honestly,

“do these objectives support one

another?”

2. Handle one thing at a time. Another

key to juggling is that you are NOT

actually coordinating everything all at

once. Jugglers realize that success

depends upon their ability to handle

one thing at a time with precision,

focus, and excellence. To be Off Bal-

ance On Purpose, you must give your

present moments and immediate

challenges your complete attention.

Make the best “throws” you possibly

can then, when they are out of your

hands, move on to the next with

equal attention.

3. Connect your lifelines. This final illus-

tration is intended to show that there

are connections between all of the

spheres. You cannot make a choice

or take action in one area without

affecting your entire Life Pattern. So,

when contemplating a decision or

opportunity, explore how it will im-

pact all five of your spheres. To fully

integrate your life, strengthen each of

your lifelines and understand the

reciprocal relationships between

each of your spheres to the others. In

this way, you will build an infrastruc-

ture that will enable you to grow multi

-dimensionally and withstand even

the unexpected changes that come

your way.

Those who seek to achieve “balance” imag-

ine a future moment when we have been

able to expertly allocate our time and re-

sources to affect a harmonious and perfect

state of being. Dream on. I believe that the

only way to find peace and contentment in

life is to find peace and contentment in the

process of living, which is an off balance

proposition. The reason: Life is not a hypo-

thetical future. It is an undeniable present.

It is happening now! Your ability to engage

your present moments with your best per-

formance efforts requires a new approach.

And I cannot wait to continue the conversa-

tion and learning with you in Baltimore!

(continued from page 1)

Dan Thurmon is a “Hall of Fame” Profes-

sional Speaker, President of Motivation

Works, and author of two books. He has

delivered thousands of presentations

across the United States and on six conti-

nents. For more information, visit

www.danthurmon.com

NOTE: Dan Thurmon is presenting the

“Success in Action” Closing Keynote Ad-

dress at the 2012 NAPO Conference in

Baltimore, MD.

Adhesive putty. A college-dorm staple, this helps you hang art

without nail holes or chipped paint. A pea-size amount behind each

corner will keep drawings or posters in place and will also ensure

that artwork that’s already framed and hanging remains level.

Page 4 March, 2012

I wear my stripes proudly on my

sleeve as a veteran organizer includ-

ing a 95% attendance rate at the

annual conferences. The education

and comradery is second to none,

but I am most grateful for the op-

portunity of presenting. We organ-

izers learn a lot on the front lines of disorganization. I

use the opportunity of our conferences to teach what

I’ve learned, bring something new to our industry’s

knowledge base, and fly ideas in front of my col-

leagues.

Long ago we discovered that dining room clutter, email

back-up, document accumulations, and to do’s rattling

around in our heads, are often decisions unmade and

tasks undone. And we know there has always been a

tight relationship between “stuff”, the tasks they repre-

sent and the time it takes to do them. It doesn’t matter

if you’re a residential organizer or an organizer in the

business environment – wherever there is clutter of any

kind (mental, physical, logistical, etc.) to reduce and

tasks to be done, there is time to manage. We are all

time managers is a core message of my talk this year,

Digital Disorganization and New Organizing Skills.

Further, I will argue, classical time management oldies-

but-goodies are starting to get a little worn around the

edges. Digital society is a game-changer. Inundation of

yet even more clutter of various kinds, stretches the

ability of even good time managers. Your clients have

nobody to delegate to. Priorities are nearly impossible

to observe when tasks come in at lightning speed from

all directions. Endless information, endlessly available,

and endlessly pushed makes managing time really diffi-

cult. Leisure time is nearly extinct. Even hard core time

management notions like ‘the interruption’ are under-

going change.

I’m a little nervous standing up there saying some of

our foundational organizing principles need a good, rig-

orous shake. But I am convinced new skills, some of

which I will outline, need to evolve to take the place of

ones that no longer help our clients. I am also con-

vinced that using the annual conference as a venue for

taking risks is a good investment of my NAPO dues. I

have personally experienced knowledge being born,

breakthroughs made, the status quo challenged and

future leaders emerge. That’s why even veterans get a

lot out of attending conference. Or maybe it’s just the

radical hippie in me!

Challenge the Status Quo -

Why Veterans Need To Go To Conference

by Judith Kolberg

Judith Kolberg, FileHeads Professional Organizers,

www.fileheads.net, info@fileheads.net.

NOTE: Judith Kolberg will be presenting a workshop,

entitled “Digital Disorganization and New Organizing

Skills”, at the 2012 NAPO Conference in Baltimore, MD.

NAPO Education Classes

March 1 PO-401T Sticky Issues

March 7 PO-001T Introduction to Professional Organizing

April 2 PO-001T Introduction to Professional Organizing

April 9 PO-302T Downsizing With Senior Clients

April 16 & 23 PO-103T Starting Out As a Residential Organizer (2-Part Course)

April 18 PO-305T Project Management for Office Business Organizers

April 25 PO-404T Power of Multiple Income Streams and Other Business Models

Visit www.napo.net for more information on these teleclasses and webinars.

Page 5 March, 2012

Productivity Tip

Tidy your computer. Treat your computer desktop just as you would

your desk, keeping only active files and shortcuts visible. A “cluttered”

computer screen is harder to look at, making you feel jumbled. Go

through folders and delete what you no longer need. Archive older stuff

you want to save to backup storage (a CD or external hard drive).

Mission Statement

NAPO-San Diego is an

organization dedicated to

bringing Professional Organizers

together through networking,

education, professional growth,

industry updates, support, and

public awareness. All

businesses/individuals

committed to the organizing field

are welcome to join.

Soles4Souls and NAPO-San Diego Shoe Drive Results

Well, the shoes have been collected, counted, boxed up and shipped off. The grand total of pairs

of shoes collected was 7,327! A breakdown of the members who participated in this challenge is:

Member Pairs of Shoes

Jan Behrhorst 171

Kathi Burns 14

Donna Cowan 695

Sue Crum 1055

Liz Davis 151

Karen Eade 151

Theresa Finnigin 167

Risa Goldberg 330

Jan Grandprey 23

Therese Hall 2

Jana Hartwell 341

Diana Hill 195

Member Pairs of Shoes

Chelle Komula 52

Barbara Langdorf 173

Denise Levine 1102

Denikka Maly 498

Brenda Martinson 224

Jennifer Moff 120

Natasha Rickert 481

Devora Safran 246

Lyn Santina 681

Leah Slayen 159

Karen Wilkening 10

Elaine Worman 286

Natasha Rickert sorting shoes at

Priority Moving Congratulations on a very successful shoe drive!

Put all your spare buttons in one box. Take them out of the countless

packets you’ve accumulated and put them in a single container.

Page 6 March, 2012

I sometimes hear therapists say that they don’t treat adults with ADHD. I may nod politely, but inside I’m thinking that they definitely do treat adults with ADHD; they just don’t know it. Just as therapists undoubtedly

work with adults with ADHD, so too do organizers

(probably more so). In order to work most effectively with these clients, you need to adapt your approaches. The good news is that really understanding ADHD will make you much more effective which will make your work much more rewarding, so you owe it to your cli-ents and yourself to educate yourself about this im-

portant population. Weaknesses in Executive Functioning People with ADHD are often weak in certain executive functions and are thereby less efficient and effective at

managing the various details of their lives. This is es-pecially true for organizing their stuff. When you get down to it, creating and maintaining an organizational system are actually pretty complex processes. First,

you need to keep in mind everything that you need to organize and then mentally manipulate those objects to find good homes for them all. This system should take

into account how often you need each item so that the most frequently used are most accessible. This takes a lot of working memory (one of the executive func-tions). Without it, things get stuck in places that don’t really work. Once you’ve conceptualized your grand organizational

system, you need to kick yourself into gear to put things away and then follow it through to the end, even when you’re tired of it (self-activation, another one of the executive functions). Of course, then you need to maintain this system, which means remembering where things are supposed to go as well as managing

your time well enough that you have a little extra to clean up as you go. All in all, there’s a lot going on here, both when people with ADHD struggle as well as when they succeed.

Lack of Time

For people with ADHD, tasks take longer because they waste time scrambling around trying to find the neces-sary items. This then leaves them with less time to put things back in their place. When they finish the task,

they don’t circle back to put everything away, setting them up for trouble next time. So the cycle continues. Unfortunately, life creates chaos, so a regular input of

energy is required to re-create order. This means that

we need to spend time every day or week putting things back where they belong, getting rid of what we no longer need, and replacing what we’ve used up. Or at least someone needs to spend that time. If you can work a deal with your family members or hire a maid, then I suppose you don’t have to do it all, but it still

needs to be done. The simpler you make your organi-zational system and the less stuff you have, the less time and effort it will take to restore order. Impulsive Purchases

The more stuff you bring into your house, the more easily it will slip into chaos. This is especially true if you’re much better at bringing things in than moving things out. So, when faced with a tempting purchase,

try to remind yourself that something will need to go if this comes. Either that or you will have to move into a bigger house (and you know how horrible moving al-

ways is). Lack of a Good Organizational System Some people with ADHD are disorganized because they just don’t have an easy and effective organizational system. Things get put away somewhat haphazardly,

which makes them much harder to find later. These are the people who could get locked into their house for a thousand years and it still wouldn’t be especially orga-nized. Without this clear system, they’re lost and mak-ing it up as they go.

This is where a good organizer who understands how people with ADHD process information can be so help-ful. Although every client has their unique needs, you need to take someone’s ADHD into account in order to create a system that will be maintained. Hopelessness

After a lifetime of partial (and short-lived) successes at getting organized, many adults with ADHD don’t have

(continued on page 7)

Why Is It So Hard for Adults with ADHD Why Is It So Hard for Adults with ADHD Why Is It So Hard for Adults with ADHD

to Get (and Stay) Organized?to Get (and Stay) Organized?to Get (and Stay) Organized?

by Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA

Happy Birthday

Theresa Finnigin - March 18

Jean Kleint - March 22

Page 7 March, 2012

much hope that the future will be much better. As a result, they give only the minimum effort required or whip things into shape only when forced to (for exam-

ple, when expecting company). Of course, treating their ADHD and applying a better organizational system may give them some good reason to be optimistic, or at least partially willing to give it a try. Saving Things Just in Case

After being caught empty-handed so often, many adults with ADHD get into the habit of saving too many things, just in case they might need them later. Since they

have trouble deciding what to keep and what to toss, they play it safe and keep too many things. To some extent this is an information-processing issue, as dis-

cussed in the section on executive functions. They rea-son that everything has at least some value and some possibility of being needed later, so therefore they should keep it all. But that’s only half the story. The question isn’t whether the item has any value at all but whether it has enough value relative to their other be-longings. That is, when figuring an item’s value, you

also need to factor in that keeping too much will make it harder to find the important things when you actually need them. For example, keeping all those old outfits will make it harder to see and find the outfits that you still wear. This ultimately does more harm than good,

even if it started out as a good plan. Ironically, getting rid of these marginal items will actually make you more

likely to have on hand the things that you really need. You can address this with clients, when confronted with some item of borderline value, by asking them the se-cond question: How valuable is this relative to the rest of my stuff? Is it worth the price paid in terms of not

finding other, more important items? It’s usually better to pay a smaller price upfront by getting rid of the item than paying a bigger price later when you can’t find what you need.

Extremes Beget Extremes Many ADHD adults have an all-or-nothing relationship with keeping their stuff organized—their stuff is either

pretty close to disaster or they’re in the midst of a fren-zied organizing spree. (This second one is less com-mon.) While I give them a lot of credit for these heroic efforts to whip their stuff into shape, it often doesn’t get everything put away most effectively. Everything is taken off the floor and desktops but is put away some-what haphazardly. Because they don’t take the time to

create a more logical and easily maintained organiza-tional system, it’s only a matter of time before they’re back in the same spot. This obviously makes the organ-

izing marathon feel like a waste, so they’re not too thrilled to do it again. Of course, the longer they wait, the worse it becomes, so each extreme drives the oth-

er. The solution, then, is to encourage them to tackle the mess early, before their family members threaten to call the health department. It won’t be nearly as bad then. Knowing that you will be checking in on them can also be a good reminder and motivator.

(continued from page 6)

Why Is It So Hard for Adults with ADHD to Get (and Stay) Organized?

Be on time. Whether you’re meet-

ing the CEO of a company for an

interview or your mother for lunch,

always imagine the other person as

someone very important for whom

you’d be horrified to be late.

This article is adapted from “More Attention, Less

Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD”.

Dr. Tuckman is a psychologist in private practice in

West Chester, PA. He is the author of two other

books: “Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD: A

Practical, Easy-to-Use Guide for Clinicians” and

“Understand Your Brain, Get More Done: The ADHD

Executive Functions Workbook”. You can learn about

his books, popular podcast, and upcoming presenta-

tions at adultADHDbook.com.

NOTE: Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA, is presenting a

workshop, entitled “Organizing the ADHD Brain Using

Executive Functions:, at the 2012 NAPO Conference

in Baltimore, MD

Page 8 March, 2012

Organizer Certification: Sorting the What?, How? and Why?

by Julie Bestry, CPO®, Best Results Organizing

The issue of certification pops up often on the NAPO email chat.

Novice organizers ask, "How do you get to be a Certified Profession-

al Organizer?" Occasionally, members call attention to associations

unfamiliar to them, purporting to offer certification in organizing or

a sub-specialty. And invariably, members debate whether certifica-

tion really matters.

As a CPO® and member of the Program Development Committee of

the Board of Certified Professional Organizers (BCPO), these mat-

ters are dear to my heart.

We all know that you can't just hang out a shingle and call yourself

a Certified Professional Organizer any more than you can decide to

call yourself a Certified Financial Planner. There are experiential

and educational requirements, exams and ethical obligations, all

set up to create standardization of the body of knowledge in a field

that is complex and far-reaching.

The certification program overseen by the BCPO was more than a

decade in the making to ensure that the educational requirements

were rigorous and yet applicable to everyone, from residential gen-

eralists to hoarding specialists, from numbers-savvy financial or-

ganizers to corporate productivity experts.

CPO® Basic Requirements

Candidates must fulfill three basic prerequisites even before sitting

for the certification exam. Each candidate must:

1. Have a minimum of a high school diploma or the equivalent,

such as a GED.

2. Sign an agreement to adhere to the BCPO's Code of Ethics for

Certified Professional Organizers.

3. Be ready to provide documentation to prove a total of 1,500

hours of paid work experience in three years prior to sitting for

the certification exam. As the BCPO website states, the paid

work experience:

... may include but is not limited to on-site organizing, coaching,

consulting, training, virtual organizing, interactive workshops

and speaking engagements, which, through client collabora-

tion, transfers, teaches or demonstrates organizing skills.

Of those 1500 hours, up to 250 can include substitute hours for

various endeavors, including college and advanced degrees, contin-

uing education related to professional organizing, paid speaking

engagements, publishing books, authoring articles, and other ef-

forts considered valuable preparation for becoming certified. For

specific details regarding the intricacies of allowable substitute

hours, consult the BCPO's nifty breakdown.

While candidates needn't submit proof of work hours prior to sitting

for the exam, a post-exam audit process of a randomly-selected

percentage of test-takers maintains the integrity of the CPO® cre-

dential. So, use those organizing skills to organize your proof of

eligibility before even applying for the exam!

The Certification Exam

After submitting the application, a candidate may sit for the com-

puter-based, multiple-choice exam, given in one of three annual

testing windows. The standard testing fee is $550; however, mem-

bers of NAPO, the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)

and other organizations within the International Federation of Pro-

fessional Organizers (IFPOA) pay a reduced fee of $375.

The test covers six weighted areas of content. One quarter of the

material covers the basic foundations of professional organizing.

Preliminary assessments, action plan development and implemen-

tation and project/plan management each account for 20% of the

exam, while material related to post-implementation evaluation,

follow-up and maintenance accounts for 10%. Legal and ethical

considerations constitute the final five percent of the test material.

This is definitely not Underwater Basketweaving 101!

Those aspiring to prepare for the certification exam should familiar-

ize themselves with the BCPO's resources, including the suggested

reading list and the Candidate Handbook.

Recertification

Certification is just the beginning. Each CPO®'s term of certification

is only three years. To renew, one must again submit an application

promising to adhere to the Code of Ethics, pay an annual mainte-

nance fee, and either submit documentation of 45 hours of contin-

uing professional education earned during the prior three years or

retake the certification exam. I often compare it to the choice be-

tween showing up for every 8 a.m. college course or taking the

SATs again!

(continued on page 9)

Page 9 March, 2012

You won’t be happy with more until you’re happy with what you’ve got.

~ Viki King

What About Other Certifications?

The CPO® designation is governed by the BCPO and is intended as

a credential which any professional organizer -- generalist or spe-

cialist -- might pursue. However, there are additional opportunities

to reach high levels in more narrowly focused educational and pro-

fessional endeavors.

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) has created a

credentialing pathway comprising five levels of certificate achieve-

ment: basic certificates of study (Level 1), Specialist Certificates

(Level 2), Certified Professional Organizer In Chronic Disorganiza-

tion (Level 3), Training Program Coach (Level 4) and Master Trainer

(Level 5).

At the first level, one basic, foundation certificate and nine special-

ty certificates of study cover issues related to general chronic disor-

ganization, special populations (such as students, the elderly, per-

sons with ADD, etc.) and related issues. At the second level, profes-

sional organizers may achieve Specialist status in chronic disorgan-

ization, ADD and/or hoarding.

After achieving the first two levels, one may work towards qualifying

for the Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization,

or CPO-CD® designation. The ICD estimates a more than 200-hour

commitment over the course of approximately 17-20 months to

complete 10 separate elements. These include telephone sessions

with an assigned mentor, extensive program assignments and writ-

ten projects, completion of three Certificates of Study, a statistical

survey and program paperwork, direct service to the CD community

and a peer panel review, which includes its own application require-

ments and fee schedule. Not exactly traffic school, eh?

NAPO and the ICD are not the only organizations that offer certifica-

tion. Many of your NAPO colleagues who specialize in financial or-

ganizing also consider the American Association of Daily Money

Managers' (AADMM) certification program. Requirements are simi-

lar to those of BCPO, with 1500 hours of paid work experience,

fulfillment of educational criteria and the passage of proctored

exam that addresses five areas of competency for achievement of

the PDMM credential.

Why Get Certified?

Occasionally, colleagues on the NAPO chat list note that no client

has ever inquired about their credentials. With all of this labor, why

do we get certified?

By formalizing our plan to take courses and keep up with the new-

est theories, strategies, resources and technologies, we commit to

increasing our value to our clients and to the greater community,

and we help expand the depth and breadth of our profession's body

of knowledge.

Certification allows prospective clients the opportunity to evaluate

the level of education and experience a professional organizer has

achieved, as the BCPO, ICD, and AADMM only bestow certifications

on those who have attained a level of professional experience and

education commensurate with that certification. Certification en-

hances credibility.

Oversight of the certification processes by governing bodies like the

BCPO includes the power to investigate complaints of ethics viola-

tions. This extends to the ability to impose disciplinary sanctions

and/or rescind certification.

Finally, while it's true that some clients do not inquire about our

credentials, others do, and it's my contention that prospective cli-

ents who care deeply about a professional organizer's level of expe-

rience and education are likely to be more committed to the organ-

izing process, and as such are more reliable, fulfilling clients with

whom to work.

All of the above advances the practice of professional organizing,

either generally (for the CPO®) or more narrowly for specialists (the

CPO-CD® or PDMM), elevating the standards and ethics with which

we practice our profession. Certification is not for the faint of heart

or the uncommitted, but it's a rewarding achievement and worthy

aspiration.

(continued from page 8)

Julie Bestry is a Certified Professional Organizer, speaker and

author who helps individuals and businesses save time and mon-

ey, reduce stress and increase productivity through new organiza-

tional skills and systems. Although a generalist, Julie specializes

in paper organizing, blogs as the Paper Doll, and publishes Best

Results for Busy People: Organizing Your Modern World. For more

information, visit Best Results Organizing at

http://www.juliebestry.com.

NOTE: Julie Bestry, CPO®, will be a speaker at a workshop, enti-

tled “Moving Forward: Certification and Recertification for Profes-

sional Organizers”, at the 2012 NAPO Conference in Baltimore,

MD.

Organizer Certification: Sorting the What?, How? and Why?

Page 10 March, 2012

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like

wrapping a present and not giving it.

~ William Arthur Ward

This year’s conference theme is Sailing to

Profitability, Navigating New Tools, An-

choring Your Success. This theme aligns

with NAPO’s Golden Circle membership

perfectly. NAPO Golden Circle member-

ship is as important today as when you

first achieved that five year landmark.

Golden Circle is more than the pin or

“enhancement,” it is the culmination of

years of sticking it out and staying on

course, sometimes through rough or

seemingly un-navigable waters. It is about

anchoring to the NAPO’s tradition while

sometimes sailing to a complete reinven-

tion of ourselves.

It is also about honoring longevity. In a

culture where youth is glorified, it is nice

to be part of a group that honors longevi-

ty and commitment. We didn’t just stay

the course as an organizer, we stayed the

course as a NAPO member organizer. We

stuck with an association which, in most

cases, launched us or at least held us up.

It is in that spirit of bounty that the Gold-

en Circle committee invites GC members

to a new kind of event at conference in

Baltimore. This year’s GC events are de-

signed to take us back in spirit to going to

our first conference. We were a little

scared, a little awed and a lot excited. We

weren’t quite sure what to expect, but we

knew it was going to be good.

Golden Circle members are invited to

Reconnect, Renew and Revitalize that

excitement at this year’s GC events.

FIRST: Reconnect by opting into a confer-

ence Accountability Partnership (AP). This

will be accomplished by a simple random

pairing process at the first GC meeting.

(You can still participate in all GC events

without an AP.)

SECOND: Renew the practice of setting

conference goals. At the first GC meeting

on Thursday March 22, 2012 @10:30, you

can work with your accountability partner

to renew the process of approaching con-

ference strategically.

Working with an accountability partner is

a proven strategy for business success.

Some documented advantages are:

More focused.

More honest and real.

Make greater progress in less time.

Concentrate more on results.

Less likely to get stuck in ruts.

THIRD: Revitalize your post conference

follow through by attending a guided GC

break out session. The objective of this

session is to measure the success of your

conference strategy, organize conference

notes, consolidate next steps, discard ir-

relevant information and make plans to

continue (if desired) the accountability

partnership relationship.

Session schedule: Saturday March 24,

2012 @ 10:15.

This is a new format. We hope that it

offers Golden Circle members an oppor-

tunity to gain even MORE value at confer-

ence. If you have any suggestions for the-

se sessions, or would like to help out at

them, please contact Shawn Kershaw.

Shawn @ShawnKershaw.com

We look forward to seeing you there!

Shawn Kershaw is an organizing and

productivity consultant. She is currently

the Specialty Interest Group Chairperson.

She represented Golden Circle member’s

interest on this year conference com-

mittee. To contact Shawn, visit

www.shawnkershaw.com.

NOTE: Shawn Kershaw will be facilitating

two workshops, entitled “Golden Circle:

Reconnect/Renew/Revitalize Your Confer-

ence”, at the 2012 NAPO Conference in

Baltimore, MD.

by Shawn Kershaw, Shawn Kershaw, Inc.

Since most storage is at or above eye level, label the sides, not the

tops, of bins and containers (works with freezer and refrigerator

containers too). You’ll always see what you want at a glance.

Mark Your Calendar

Page 11 March, 2012

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Monday, March 12, 2012 - 6:15 pm to 8:30 pm - NAPO-San Diego Chapter Meeting

Monday, April 9, 2012 - 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm - Prospective Organizer Meeting

Monday, April 9, 2012 - 6:15 pm to 8:30 pm - NAPO-San Diego Chapter Meeting

Monday, May 14, 2012 - 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm - New Member Orientation

Monday, May 14, 2012 - 6:15 pm to 8:30 pm - NAPO-San Diego Chapter Meeting

Topic: Legal Considerations for Your Organizing Business

Speaker: Merrianne Dean

Are you confident that you are properly addressing the potential liabilities in your business? Or do you sometimes feel that you

are just operating with your fingers crossed, hoping you never find yourself in court?

Attorney Merrianne Dean will help you avoid learning the hard way! She will be sharing the basic risk management steps that

every business owner needs to take, as well as fielding our questions on such things as contracts and agreements, company

structures, and what to do when you find yourself in a potential legal dispute with a client.

Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to get the facts from an expert!

Merrianne E. Dean has been practicing law in San Diego since 1994. She is a founding member of Rosenstein, Wilson & Dean, P.L.C., which

was formed in 1997.

Ms. Dean is a member of the San Diego Bar Association, the Lawyers Club, and the Tom Homann Law Association, where she has served as

a board member. Ms. Dean has twice been awarded the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services and her firm was awarded the

SDCBA Annual Award For Outstanding Public Service By A Law Firm Or Agency in May, 2006.

UPCOMING PROGRAM

NAPO-San Diego Chapter Meeting

March 12, 2012

Merrianne Dean

NAPO-San Diego Chapter

P.O. Box 1824, La Jolla, CA 92038

Info Line: 760-803-2786

www.naposandiego.com

Guidelines: The San Diego Statement

newsletter is published monthly. Ads must

be received by 12 Noon on the 15th of the

month to be included in the next month’s

issue. Link to website or email is available.

Ad must be camera-ready and a JPEG file

(no larger than 300 KB). Additional charge

for design/layout work. All ads must be

pre-paid. NAPO-San Diego Chapter makes

no endorsement of products or services

advertised. Advertisers assume all liability

for their products or services.

Send ads and any inquiries to:

Sandy Mathews at

helpinghandsetc@yahoo.com.

You now have the opportunity to advertise

in our newsletter, San Diego Statement.

NAPO-San Diego Chapter Members receive

a 10% discount on advertising rates. The

following rates are per issue:

Advertise in the San Diego Statement

Size Rate

1/8 page ad

(h 2¼” x w 3½”)

$10.00

1/4 page ad

(h 4½” x w 3½”)

$20.00

1/2 page ad

(h 4½” x w 7½”)

$40.00

full page ad

(h 9½” x w 7½”)

$80.00

Place Your Ad

Here

San Diego Statement Newsletter

Submission Guidelines: Submit text in Microsoft Word attach-

ment and ads and pictures in JPEG file format. Send to Sandy

Mathews at helpinghandsetc@yahoo.com. Published monthly,

the contents are copyrighted, with all rights reserved.

Deadline: All articles, ads and submissions must be received

by 12 Noon on:

Jan. 15 for print on Feb. 1 July 15 for print on Aug. 1

Feb. 15 for print on March 1 Aug. 15 for print on Sept. 1

March 15 for print on April 1 Sept. 15 for print on Oct. 1

April 15 for print on May 1 Oct. 15 for print on Nov. 1

May 15 for print on June 1 Nov. 15 for print on Dec. 1

June 15 for print on July 1 Dec. 15 for print on Jan. 1

March 12, 2012, 6:15 pm to 8:30 pm

Chapter Meeting (Visitor Fee $20)

6:15 Networking

6:45 Introductions and Begin Meeting

7:15 Program:

Topic: Legal Considerations for Your Organizing

Business

Speaker: Merrianne Dean

8:30 Adjourn (optional networking until 9:00 pm)

Location:

Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center

4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037

Phone: 858-457-3030

Meeting Information

National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)

15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C,

Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

856-380-6828

www.napo.net

Parking Problem?

Since there is limited parking in front of the building,

drive around to the back - there is ample parking in

the back of the building.

Meeting Locations

Chapter meetings are held in the Teen Lounge

Room - 2nd Floor.

Board meetings are held in the Executive Board

Room - 2nd Floor.

If you are in charge of a meeting whether at school, work, or church start

and stop on time. People will soon realize they will miss out if they are

late as you will have a reputation of starting on time. Have an agenda for

the meeting and stick to it. This gives structure so the objectives are met

and with everyone knowing the goals the meeting is more efficient.