NAPO Los Angeles
Mission Statement: NAPO-LA is an organization
dedicated to bringing Southern California area organizers together
through networking, education, professional growth, industry
updates, support and public awareness.
NAPO-Los
Angeles PMB 134, 10573 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA
90064 Phone 213-486-4477
NAPO-Los Angeles Who's Who
President:Chris McKenry chrismckenry@napola.org323-525-0678 Vice
President:John Trosko johntrosko@napola.org310-453-6878 Treasurer:Cindy
Kamm cindykamm@napola.org310-836-6471 Secretary:Naomi
Altman naomialtman@napola.org310-569-1127 Director
of Administration:Susan Eleftherakis selefther@napola.org323-662-3291 Director
of Communications & Technology:Susan Culligan sculligan@napola.org661-713-3723 Director
of Finance:Maria Parkinson mparkinson@napola.org213-926-4901 Director
of Marketing:Deborah Kawashima dkawashima@napola.org323-656-9665 Director
of Membership:Joanna Sletten jsletten@napola.org310-975-9095 Director
of Professional Development:Dolores Kaytes dkaytes@napola.org310-798-8011 Immediate
Past President:Robin L. Davi robindavi@napola.org805-522-9687
Coordinators & Committee Chairs
Associate Member Coordinator:Barb
Schmit Database/Directory:
Jodi McDaniel GO
Month Coordinator:Michelle Quintana Golden Circle
Advisor:
Ann Gambrell Greeting Coordinator:
Toni
Scharff Greeter:
Sttevven Bennett Historian
(Scrapbooker):Judy Powell Librarian: Katherine
Macey Meeting Assistant:
Toni Scharff MET Program
Coordinators:Jean Furuya Ann Gambrell NAPO in the
Schools Coordinator:Deborah Kawashima New Member
Orientation: Jean Furuya Ann Gambrell
Photographer: Sara Getzkin Public
Relations:
Deborah Kawashima Registration
Assistant: Lori Gersh Silent Auction:Cindy
Kamm Volunteer Coordinator: Abbey Keusch
Webmasters:Susan Culligan Susan
Eleftherakis Jodi McDaniel Toni Scharff
The Los Angeles Organizer Newsletter Staff
Editor:Claire Flannery cflannery@napola.org310-822-1820
Publisher:Laura Johnson laurajohnson@napola.org818-707-1225 Proofreaders:
Sheila McCurdy Toni Scharff
Submission Guidelines: Published six times
per year (January, March, May, July, September and November). All
articles are copyrighted. All rights reserved. Submit text in
Microsoft Word attachment or type directly into email message.
Attach visuals as .jpg or .tif. Send to cflannery@napola.org. Deadline:
All articles must be received by the 25th of the month prior to
publication.
Advertisements: Ads appear as icons on an html page
and include a hyperlink to your website. Send camera-ready art in
.jpg format at 72 dpi to ljohnson@napola.org. All
camera-ready art and payments must be received by the 25th of the
month prior to publication. Payments to be arranged with Cindy Kamm,
Treasurer, at cindykamm@napola.org.
Ad Size: 125x100 pixels Ad Price:
$25 Members, $35 Non-NAPO Members Coupon: This feature
allows advertiser to provide a text of 50-75 words for a more
detailed description than the sponsor link Coupon Price:
$35 Members, $45 Non-NAPO Members
National Membership
Annual Dues: $200 -
Individual $150 - Associate-Branch $250 -
Associate-Local $550 - Associate-Corporate $20 - New Member
One-Time Processing Fee
Chapter Membership
NAPO National membership required.
Membership includes electronic newsletter.
Annual Dues (Oct. to
Sept.):Members$100 - Level 1 - Basic
Member w/website listing $150 - Level 2 - Basic Member w/website
listing and paid meeting fees (Available only with annual renewal in
September.) $150 - Associate Member/Branch $250 - Associate
Member/Local $25 - New/Lapsed Member Processing Fee $10 -
Meeting Fee Non-Members$25 - Visitor Meeting
Fee
Membership ReportJuly 38 Members 4
Visitors 42 Total Attendance
August 33
Members 6 Visitors 39 Total Attendance
Total
Membership: 110
Welcome New Members!July/August
Joan
Chodorow, Venice Organize Your Life
Wendy Cross,
Pasadena Wendy Cross Organizing
Teresa Lorenz,
Lawndale Organization Solutions
Abbreviated MinutesJuly 2006 Board
Meeting
Michelle Quintana has replaced Cindy Kamm as GO Month
Coordinator.
Organizing Expo will be October 23.
The Board is looking into polo-style shirts (to be available for
purchase by chapter members) that can be used to create a uniform
look at events such as GO Month.
August 2006 Board
Meeting
New Volunteer Coordinator is Abbey Keusch
NAPO-LA polo shirts will be available for purchase later this
fall
Jean Furuya is the new MET Coordinator
~Submitted by
Naomi Altman The Space Case NAPO-LA Secretary~
Assistant's List
The
Assistant's List is available as a resource connecting those
available to serve as assistants to organizers who need them. To be
included on the Assistant's List, send an email to assistant@napola.org. Include
your name, phone number and email address. The list is only for
members of NAPO-LA and does not guarantee work. The Assistant's List
is found here in the newsletter and also under the "Members Only"
section of the chapter's website.
Joan
Chodorow 310-396-6997 yasmine@usinter.net
Lani Gallegos
818-719-9256 anig2@yahoo.com
Laura
Johnson 818-707-1225 letmerearrangeyou@earthlink.net
Abby
Keusch 323-461-9555 abbeyclaire@msn.com
Justine
Miceli 310-980-7891 micelico@earthlink.net
Maria
Parkinson 213-926-4901 maria.parkinson@yahoo.com
Cheryl
Perkins 310-306-1769 cheryl@creating-balance.net
Dee
Saar 818-686-6823 deesaar@verizon.net
Joanna
Sletten 310-975-9095 joanna.sletten@gmail.com
Robin
Valdez 818-886-9635 expert_organizers@msn.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NAPO-LA is
not responsible for the products and/or services
advertised. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For more information on becoming a NAPO
member, click here.
Quick Links...
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Reminder: The Los Angeles
Organizer is published bimonthly. Look for
"Announcements from the Board" in between issues. Deadline for
submissions for the November/December newsletter is October
25.
CALENDAR
September National Preparedness
Month National School Success
Month Self-Improvement Month 25 NAPO-LA Board
Meeting - 2:30 pm 25 NAPO-LA Chapter Meeting - 6:15
pm 30 Last day to renew Chapter Membership without
penalty
October Home Based Business Week - 2nd
week 18 Bosses Day 22 Golden Circle quarterly
meeting 23 MET Educational Seminar (before Expo) 23
Professional Resources & Networking Expo 28 NAPO-San
Francisco Organizing Conference
November American Education Week - 3rd
week Pursuit of Happiness Week - 2nd week 9
Meeting of CD Support Group 6-8:30 pm 23 Happy
Thanksgiving! 27 NAPO-LA Board Meeting - 1 pm 27 NAPO-LA
Holiday Dessert Meeting - 6:15 pm
Calendar Listings for NAPO-LA
Members: Organizing events of members may be listed on
the NAPO-LA calendar for only $30 per month. Include event,
date, time, location and your contact information, along with
a 50-word description and send to Calendar
Listings.
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President's Message |
NAPO-LA and 1-800-Got-Junk? Open
the Door
By Chris McKenry Get It Together
LA! and NAPO-LA President
After a call from 1-800-Got-Junk,
volunteers from NAPO-LA spent a day in Stanton last week
helping a challenged Rebecca, who suffers not only from
obsessive compulsive disorder but also from some
difficult hoarding issues.
When our team arrived,
the front door could barely open enough to squeeze into
the living room. The clutter was six feet high
throughout the apartment.
Concerned that others were being wasteful,
Rebecca had “saved” items from the trash for years to
give to those in need. Over time, the apartment all but
disappeared under a pile of rubble. When Rebecca's
80-year-old mother had an emergency, she almost did not
make it out!
“I have to get this place emptied so mother can
come home,” said Rebcca. Though she and I discussed the
process, it was still a very trying experience for her.
With five professional organizers, four junk haulers,
two television stations and one major newspaper on site
it is no wonder Rebecca was stressed - but everyone
involved went above and beyond standards of
professionalism to complete the day’s work.
I want to thank Susan Culligan, Lori Gersh,
Deborah Kawashima, and Joanna Sletten for
joining me in not only helping Rebecca but also for
making our NAPO-LA chapter shine in the media spotlight.
Also, thank you to Ann Gambrell for donating a
scholarship for Rebecca to Ann's Clutter Support
Group.
Read
the Orange County Register Story
Time to Renew Your Annual Dues
NAPO-LA Membership Renewals
All NAPO-LA memberships renew annually in
September. If you haven’t done so already, please take a
moment right now to renew your membership. (NOTE: A $25
Late Fee will apply after September 30.)
Your
membership is an investment in the growth of your
business. Your chapter brings referrals to you through
the referral program on our website and also offers
opportunities to develop professionally through the many
programs offered throughout the year.
Interaction
with vendors and affiliates of our industry is another
benefit of membership, as well as many opportunities to
network with other organizers.
The regular
membership dues structure for the 2006-07 year is:
$100 "Level 1" Membership Option - Yearly
dues and Website Listing in the "Find an Organizer"
section (new enhanced listing is available at no
additional charge). Does not include member chapter
meeting fees of $10 for each meeting. $150 "Level
2" Membership Option - Yearly dues to include all
chapter meeting fees and Website Listing in the "Find an
Organizer" section (new enhanced listing is available at
no additional charge). Only available at time of
renewal. $25 – Late Fee (applied after
September 30)
The Associate member dues
structure for the 2006-07 year is: $150 - Branch
Associate Member - operates as a local branch or
regional office of a Corporate Associate
Member. $250 - Local Associate Member - a
locally-based, self-operating retailer, supplier,
designer, or independent sales representative engaged
primarily in the manufacture, distribution, and/or sales
of organizational equipment, supplies, or organizing
industry related services. $25 - Late Fee
(applied after September 30)
Thank you for
supporting the founding chapter of the National
Association of Professional Organizers. Together our
success is assured.
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NAPO-LA Chapter Meeting Information
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By Dolores Kaytes, Highly-Organized and
NAPO-LA Director of Professional
Development
Upcoming Meetings
September 25 Golden Circle
Panel "If I Knew Then What I Know
Now..."
NAPO-LA will provide another learning experience
to help you develop and grow your business. Panel
members Marcy Melton, Diana Ryan and Beverly Clower will
share what they have learned from their years of
experience and what they would change or do differently.
After brief remarks from the panel, Donna McMillan, the
facilitator, will ask the audience to write questions on
note cards that will be collected and passed in for the
Q & A portion of the program.
October 23 Professional
Resource and Networking Expo
In place of our regular monthly meeting format,
we will have the 2nd annual Professional Resource and
Networking Expo. Get inspired with fresh resources,
potential new alliances, educational opportunities and
more networking time with your colleagues. Tables are
available to puchase and we are actively searching for
vendors. Applications for vendors can be found on our
website NAPOLA.ORG
Also on October
23
ATTENTION: All Professional
Organizers (New, Intermediate &
Advanced)
Build Your Business Brick by
Brick Harness the Power of Networking and
Strategic Alliances
A special MET Training Session to
be conducted by Donna McMillan before the
Expo.
Are you finding all the clients
you want? When clients ask you for a service that you
don’t provide, can you refer them to a trusted
associate?
How many hours did you spend at your
last networking function, not to mention travel time?
How much is your time worth? If your business is
going to grow, those hours should pay off in new clients
and new alliances.
Networking helps us find new
clients and develop new relationships, but only if we
use it effectively. There’s a client around every corner
— but you have to turn the right corner! This training
session will teach you how!
There are three parts to this training on October
23:
- Presentation:
Information and Technique (3:30
- 5:30 pm)
- Practical application at Expo (6 – 8 pm)
- Evaluation and Discussion (8 pm)
Knowledge is Power! There are businesses
that provide products or services that can increase your
value to your clients. Become the “go-to” person your
clients can rely on to fulfill their needs. Also, these
businesses could be referring your company to their
clients. That’s what a strategic alliance is all about!
Don’t waste your time and money on ineffective
marketing strategies. Learn from a veteran professional
organizer who has been in this industry for 22 years.
Use your new found skills right away at the
NAPO-LA Professional Resource and Networking
Expo, which immediately follows this training
session. Develop your first strategic alliance now and
do not miss this opportunity to gain crucial
business-building skills.
Donna McMillan has been coaching/training
professional organizers for 14 years, both in the US and
abroad. She has developed these strategies from her own
experience while building a successful business,
McMillan & Company Professional Organizing.
For more information, contact Donna
McMillan Email: donna@organizer4me.com Phone:
310-391-7392
KUDOS
NAPO-LA would like to thank Tom Spiglanin,
Ph.D., of Designs4Learning.net for sharing his
knowledge and expertise about internet marketing
strategies at our July chapter meeting. Dr. Spiglanin
simplified the terminology and gave us tools that
encouraged many to venture into cyberspace in order to
grow our businesses. We also thank him for being so
generous with his time and for staying on to continue
answering questions after the meeting ended.
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October 23 Vendor Event Returns
|
Professional Resources &
Networking Expo
This popular event is returning from its debut
last year. The entire October meeting will be dedicated
to networking with peers and seeing exciting products
that will enhance your work with clients. Hors d'oeuvres
will be served and a no-host bar will be
available.
A new feature will be a special workshop
sponsored by the MET committee. Donna McMillan will lead
this educational program sharing the skills needed to
build your business though networking and building
alliance partners. The workshop will be an additional
cost to the Expo.
If you have a product or book you would like to
promote, this is an excellent opportunity. A discounted
table rate is available to NAPO-LA members. Do you have
a great resource that other members would be interested
in? If so, we would appreciate your letting us
know.
Registration form and information can be found at
NAPOLA.ORG
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NAPO-San Francisco Conference
|
18th Annual SF
Regional Conference Saturday, October 28
The San Francisco chapter of NAPO will hold its
18th Annual Regional Conference - "Transforming Lives" –
on Saturday, October 28, from 8 am to 6:30 pm in Newark,
California, at the Newark/Fremont Hilton Hotel.
Organizing transforms lives, creating simplicity,
order, clarity, and balance. The effects of this process
ripple out from organizer to client to the entire
community. This Regional Conference is designed for
organizers who want to enhance their professionalism, be
more effective with clients, and learn new techniques.
Join in for this journey of transformation.
Begin the day with dynamic keynote speaker Ric
Giardina, author of Become a Life Balance Master.
Ric is president of The Spirit Employed Company, which
provides principles and techniques to individuals to
help them create and maintain life balance and develop a
personal style of gentle self-discipline that will
naturally increase productivity and enhance a sense of
fulfillment.
The day will also consist of 18 educational workshops
filled with subjects such as: marketing techniques,
expanding your business, personal and professional
development, and technology, to name just a few.
Breakfast, lunch and a networking reception are
included.
For more information, contact Doreen
Kleindienst, Chair NAPO-SF Regional
Conference Email: dkorganizing@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 510-538-4782
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Have You Volunteered Today? |
Volunteers Run NAPO-LA
By Susan Eleftherakis, Spatial Clarity and
NAPO-LA Director of Administration
Would it surprise you to know that NAPO-LA is run
entirely by the volunteer efforts of its’ members?
Volunteers are not only the heart and soul of NAPO-LA
but also the dynamic force that moves it forward.
The NAPO-LA Chapter Volunteer Call List currently
lists 61 volunteer positions (with some individuals
holding more than one), including five website-related
(webmaster/assistant webmaster) roles that were recently
added. There are numerous volunteer needs that are not
on this list, such as making phone calls, assisting with
the planning of both GO Month and the Organizing Awards,
creating flyers and other graphics or text work, writing
for the newsletter, and providing support for various
fundraising and marketing efforts, to name just a few.
Spreading the work out among all of our members ensures
that no one gets burned out.
Our success depends on our members pitching
in, and the good news is that getting involved has many
benefits. Volunteer participation brings the opportunity
to network, as well as to know and be known by other
members. It also brings a feeling of belonging and the
satisfaction of contributing to the success of such a
dynamic organization.
The most immediate volunteer need is for six
webmaster/assistant webmaster positions, a registration
assistant (for monthly chapter meetings) and a visitor
coordinator. Help is also needed with upcoming events
including GO Month and the Organizing Awards, both to
take place in early 2007.
To volunteer, contact Abbey Keusch.
Volunteer Coordinator Email: abbeykeusch@napola.org
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It's National Preparedness Month
|
Are You Ready for an
Emergency?
By Deborah
Kawashima creativeOrganizer and NAPO-LA Director
of Marketing
National Preparedness Month is a nationwide
effort sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security during the month of September 2006 to encourage
Americans to take simple steps to prepare for
emergencies.
NAPO has joined a coalition of more
than 670 national, regional, state and local
organizations to promote National Preparedness Month in
order to provide Americans with information about
preparing themselves, their families and their
communities for emergencies, including natural disasters
and potential terrorist threats.
This year's
goals are to increase public awareness about the
importance of family emergency preparedness and to urge
individuals to make themselves and their loved ones
better prepared.
Families are encouraged to
obtain an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency
plan and be informed about the different threats that
may affect them.
For more information about this program, click
here: www.ready.gov/america/npm/index.htm
To download a list of recommended emergency
supplies, click here: www.ready.gov
We need your tips! Family emergency tips from
NAPO- LA members are being posted on the NAPO-LA website
through the end of September.
Please submit your family emergency tips to
Deborah Kawashima Email: deborah@creativeorganizer.com
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Silent Auction for September |
Get Charmed by Chris!
Our NAPO-LA President once was all
chicken. Before moving to Los Angeles, Chris McKenry was
Vice President in charge of marketing and production at
his family's Tennessee poultry processing business. In
January of 2000, he sold his interest in the
103-year-old firm and moved to California.
Arriving in Los Angeles, he discovered NAPO and
learned that the organization had its roots in the local
area. Deciding to pursue a career in the organizing
field, Chris knew the first step to success was to join
NAPO and get involved.
For six years, Chris's business, Get It
Together LA!, has grown to include organizing for
home and office, custom closet and garage design
services, and relocation management. From clearing
clutter to designing storage systems, Chris is often
called a "miracle worker" by clients.
"I enjoy teaching clients to realize their own
potential by getting them to understand how their habits
affect their environments," said Chris.
Featured in news
articles and on television,
this is one organizer who enjoys marketing almost as
much as organizing. He is sought after as a speaker,
with presentations given on organizing topics,
networking, and also on behalf of our chapter. Get It
Together LA! sends monthly O-Tips to over
1,000 contacts, most of whom Chis met while networking
at various functions.
Chris is currently the President of NAPO-LA and
serves on the Board of Directors of the West Hollywood
Chamber of Commerce. Recipient of the 2005 Leading Edge
Award, Chris was also honored in 2003 with the
President's Award during Small Business Week by the West
Hollywood Chamber. He is also the founding President of
the West Hollywood Chapter of BNI.
Your questions on organizing, marketing, and
networking will be answered with a southern accent and a
grin.
NOTE: The Silent Auction is a regular
fundraiser for our NAPO-LA chapter and is held at most
chapter meetings. During the meeting, the Silent Auction
Volunteer will be announced and a clipboard will be
circulated. Bidding takes place by simply entering your
bid on the sign-up sheet as it circulates the room. The
"winner" is announced at the end of the meeting and is
entitled to a one-hour session with the Silent Auction
Volunteer either in person or on the phone.
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June Volunteer of the Month |
Laura Johnson, Redesigner with
Flair
By Susan Culligan Got to Get Organized and
NAPO-LA Director of Communications and Technology
“You get what you give,” says Laura, explaining
why she finds herself volunteering for whatever group
she joins. So when an announcement was made asking for
help with the NAPO-LA newsletter, Laura took on the
challenging job of publisher, producing the last issue
under difficult circumstances and proving that if she’s
going to do a job, she’s going to do it well.
Laura majored in interior design in college, and,
after 31 years of marriage, took interior redesign
training in 2001, becoming an IRIS Certified Interior
Redesigner. Her business, Let Me Rearrange You,
specializes in interior redesign, home staging and color
consultation. Laura’s tag line says it all:
Transforming your home from blah to ‘ahh’ using
existing furnishings.
While attending an Interior Redesign Industry
Specialists (IRIS) conference in 2004, Laura heard about
NAPO and immediately became a national member. A few
months after joining the LA chapter, she got involved in
the LA Organizing Awards project and had a great time
working with other NAPO members. That's when she became
hooked on volunteering for our chapter!
Though Laura’s passion is interior redesign and
home staging, she is interested in learning more about
other organizing specialties -- maybe some less physical
ones! As our newsletter publisher, she can’t help but
think of ways to add flair to the publication (after
all, she’s a redesigner). Laura is a real pro, as well
as a delightful person.
Congratulations, Laura!
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Golden Circle Column |
Golden Circle Column
By Kevin Hall Clutter No More, Inc. and
a Golden Circle Member
Two veteran organizers, Carolyn Strauss and
Diana Ryan, wrote a series of “NAPO Dramas.” These
vignettes highlight potential ethical
difficulties.
Here is a sample:
A Case Study Series Episode
#2
As NAPO members, we have pledged "to exercise
judgment, self-restraint and conscience in (our) conduct
in order to establish and maintain public confidence in
the integrity of NAPO. We will keep confidential all
client information, both business and personal,
including that which may be revealed by other
organizers." In this spirit, the characters in this
vignette are a fictitious mosaic of client types
encountered by professional organizers.
At the
end of Episode #1, fledgling organizer, Sunny, had held
a "Messiest Desk" contest resulting in an article in her
local newspaper. Connie read the article in the paper,
and, convinced by the "before" and "after" photos of the
winner's desk, called Sunny. She describes packing for a
move and readying the house for an open house. Sunny
went to assess the situation and to give an estimate.
She's not experienced enough to get information over the
phone, and jumped at the chance to go there with little
knowledge of the situation.
As Connie leads Sunny
into the study, Sunny notices a bundle of banker's boxes
in the hall. There's an ample sprinkling of Rubbermaid
and Avery products amidst the clutter in the study.
Connie asks Sunny if she includes organizing products in
her price. Suddenly it dawns on Sunny that she's on the
scent of another organizer. She wonders if she should
say something about it.
When Connie goes to the
kitchen to let the dog in, Sunny reaches for the Lillian
Vernon catalog on the coffee table, and, to her
amazement, under the catalog is a document indicating
that Connie's house is in foreclosure. Sunny wonders if
she even wants this job. Will she get
paid?
Connie returns and volunteers that she had
another organizer in last week, "but she talked too much
and really wasn't worth the rate she charged. She didn't
come across as being particularly 'professional' either.
I expected that she'd at least have brought some boxes
with her on the first day... ."
How should Sunny respond?
Could Sunny have been better prepared for this
meeting?
Should Sunny attempt to find out who the first
organizer was and what broke up the relationship?
What are our ethical obligations to other
organizers?
Can Sunny turn this into a win/win situation?
Keeping your ethical edge sharp implies, however
the antithesis, a dulling process as it were. What
causes this potential to occur? Possibly looking for the
“newest and greatest” marketing strategy, the latest
“spin” can cause a dulling in our reasoning process.
Keeping in mind that there are absolutes, we are called
on as professionals to realize that we need to maintain
a high standard of behavior. A constant vigilance is
needed, not that anything new is wrong, just remember to
use the ethics “filter” to assist oneself in making
decisions.
Even though Sunny is a novice
organizer, we could all encounter the same issues. Here
are key principles in the Code of Ethics, as
found on the NAPO website, to ponder.
Principle-A rule or standard of good
behavior
Ethics-from the Greek-meaning character. A
principle of right and wrong behavior
Character-moral or ethical strength. What you
do when no one is looking!
Integrity-Firm adherence to a code or
standard of values
Competence-Legal qualification or
eligibility
Objectivity-Ability to look at a situation
apart from emotion, its own reality
Respect-(apart from Aretha Franklin’s
song)-Esteem, to avoid violation
This is a
constant vigil in our profession.
Copyright Clutter No More, Inc.
2006 NAPO Drama used with
permission.
Kevin Hall has been a NAPO-LA member since
1994. He is the Founder and current member of NAPO-San
Diego, where he presently holds the position of Ethics
Education Chair. Please address comments to kevin@clutternomore.com.
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A Bit from Barb |
Organize with Color!
By Barb Schmit Associate Member,
Esselte
How often have you had to sift through piles of
paper to find what you were looking for? We’ve all done
this not only with clients but with ourselves as
well.
If you find yourself in this predicament,
there are a multitude of products to help you out of
it.
One of my favorite tools, which I tell my
filing customers to use, is color. There are three main
reasons to use colored files:
Color recognition is 40% to 50% faster
Colored files reduce misfiling by 50%
Color coding files makes it easy to see if a folder
is in the wrong place
If you use manila folders
in a sorter on your desk, you have to read the labels to
find which file you want. How much easier is it to use
different colored file folders instead of manila? Before
long, you won’t even have to read the labels because you
will know which color holds which project or papers. You
recognize the color faster than you can read a
label.
Think about when you visit an amusement
park. You may have seen young school children dressed in
the same T-shirt? Often, when a school takes a class on
a field trip, each class has its own color T-shirt so
it’s easy to identify which child belongs to which
class. This is, of course, quite efficient.
It’s
the same with colored file folders. Think about how you
might bring color into your office to make tasks such as
filing not only easier, but much pleasanter as well.
You, or your clients, will be much more productive in
much less time. And, colored folders look so much better
than those plain old manila folders!
A product
you may want to consider for helping your clients
organize the piles on their desks is
PileSmart by Pendaflex. PileSmart offers a variety of
colorful folders and tabs to help make filing and
finding papers that you've filed so much easier. Check
out the PileSmart Quick View Write-On
Jackets with colored edges, 6 per pack, for about
$5.
Also, take a look at the I Hate Filing
Club website for some useful filing tips. Just
click here I
Hate Filing Club
As for me, how do I use
color? My HOT files are red; business files are blue;
personal files are purple. When I see a file folder on
my desk, I know immediately which file cabinet it
belongs in. So can you.
No more need to see RED
from frustration!
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Golden Circle Interview Series
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Michelle Quintana's Six Strategies
to Profitability
By Deborah
Kawashima creativeOrganizer and NAPO-LA Director
of Marketing
Michelle Quintana started her organizing
business, The Simple Organizer, in San Francisco
in 1998. She moved to Los Angeles in 2004 and now
resides in Long Beach. A member of NSGCD, Michelle often
works with chronically-disorganized clients, but also
works with real-estate agents to declutter homes before
selling.
“When I started my organizing business,
it was to be self-employed and to run my own business,”
explains Quintana. “Being in business is about making
money. How much money are you making? That’s the bottom
line.”
Michelle shares Six Strategies to build a
profitable organizing business.
1. Create a Business Plan. Define where
you’re going so that you can make a plan to get there.
Ask yourself: What kind of business do I want?
Part-time? Full-time? How much money do I need to make
every month? “Back yourself out of the parking lot and
figure it out,” suggests Michelle. Ask yourself how much
you need to make every day, week and month to earn the
income you want? Where are you going to be ten years
from now? When do you want to retire? “My goal is to
retire within ten years,” explains Quintana. “In order
to do that, I need to look at what I am doing right now.
Every month I ask myself how I can gross another $1000 a
month? What do I need to do to achieve that?”
2. Focus on the clients you want! “Turn
clients away that are not a good match,” suggests
Michelle. “Don’t take on a client if it’s not a good
fit. It’s not fair to the client or to you.”
3. Specialize. Decide what you love to
organize and focus on that. “If you love organizing
closets, then become the expert closet organizer, making
your website the place to go for closets,” suggests
Michelle. Specializing makes it easier for people to not
only think of you but also to refer you.
4. Have current clients make a commitment to
you. On your first appointment, get your clients to
state their commitment to getting completely organized.
At the end of the first session, set up the second
appointment. Explain that just doing one room isn’t
going to help them with their problem. “Remember the
80/20 rule,” reminds Quintana. “80% of your business
comes from 20% of your clients.”
5. Give yourself a 20% raise! “This
radically changed my income level, now in the six figure
range, with 20 - 25 hours a week billable time,”
declared Quintana. “Raise your rate and stick to
it!”
6. Have a Cancellation Policy. Your
clients need to respect your time. “Bill for the time
reserved,” insists Quintana. “Put your policy in red
ink, have them sign it, and then enforce
it!”
Being proactive is about being in control of
your business. “Changes are not made without fear,”
insists Quintana. “You need to get out of your comfort
zone and go for it!"
NOTE: This article is one in an
on-going series of interviews with Golden Circle
members. It is just one of the many ways veteran members
give back to NAPO- LA.
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Organized Karma |
Shredded Karma
By Sara Getzkin Hands On! Organizing
Services
Situation: A client hires you and wants to
purge his personal files. Problem: He has NEVER
purged a piece of paper in his life!
“Document
destruction” or “paper shredding” has become an
important part of the professional organizer’s everyday
life. Our clients have tons of confidential materials
and often seem anxious when we suggest parting with
them. While we convince them that every bit of paper
will be properly destroyed, protecting their identity,
we need to remind them that their papers can be recycled
and made into “new” recycled products. Every ton of
recycled paper saves 17 trees and a significant amount
of energy, water, and air pollution.
Why are
clients worried about identity theft? Every year, more
than 10 million people in the U.S. will become victims.
How do thieves do it? Dumpster diving is one way. Your
personal information can easily be found in your
garbage. Simple items such as a checkbook or piece of
mail may contain all the information a thief needs to
steal your identity. Destroying confidential but
outdated documents reduces the risk. In addition,
businesses (including yours) should have a destruction
policy in place to protect its client base.
What
if a client has too much to shred in a personal or
home-office shredder? Consider a professional shredding
service. While big businesses have been doing this for
years and often have monthly service contracts,
shredding companies haven’t forgotten about us! Save
time, effort and sanity for both you and your client –
call a shredder in your area and ask the following
questions:
What happens to the paper fibers? Are they recycled?
Do you have a mobile (pick-up) service? If so, do
you shred on-site?
Do you have a drop-off service? Can I drop-off
anytime or just certain days/times?
Can I witness the shredding?
Do you issue a Certificate of Destruction?
How do you measure units & figure cost? Per box
or per pound?
Is there a minimum?
Question to NAPO-LA
members: If a mobile shredding truck were to visit
NAPO-LA once a month (possibly the same day as our
monthly meetings), would you be interested in using this
service? Participating organizers would be responsible
for the cost of their own (and their clients’)
shredding.
Please send your comments to Sara
Getzkin Email: handsonorganizer@earthlink.net
NOTE: Organized Karma is an
occasional series focusing on donation and recycling
resources.
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July Volunteer of the Month |
Kristine Oller Just Does It!
By Susan Culligan Got to Get
Organized and NAPO-LA Director of Communications and
Technology
Kristine Oller has never been one to sit around
wishing she could do something -- she just does it! In
1999 she read an article about a “professional
organizer,” thought it fit her perfectly, made up
business cards, and started organizing!
Organizing was actually a side job to her acting
career. Her first clients were family, friends and
people from the Actor’s Network. It took several years,
but she made a “crossroads” decision to organize
full-time, no longer dividing herself between organizing
and acting. She’s found that organizing allows her to
fulfill her true potential as well as to be totally
self-directed and her own boss!
Kristine joined NAPO-LA in 2002, and true to form
extended herself to veterans she met and admired, always
determined to give value for whatever help or advice she
got. About volunteering, she calls it “networking up,”
meaning that it gives you a chance to work side by side
with people who are ahead of you in experience or
ability. Volunteering forms great bonds of comradeship
and loyalty, building the foundation for lasting
relationships with fellow organizers.
Kristine talks a lot about the value of referring
others with different abilities to fulfill her clients’
needs. She doesn’t hesitate to bring in other organizers
who may have a special ability that is not precisely her
expertise, thereby showing her clients that she has the
resources to meet their needs while building strong
relationships with the organizers she works with. She
feels there is work enough for all, and referrals only
strengthen her success while adding to the
accomplishments of her colleagues. She is a true ray of
sunshine in our chapter.
Congratulations,
Kristine!
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TIPS Program |
One In; One Out
Don't forget... when buying a new item of
clothing, retire (give away/sell/throw away) a similar
item. Do the same with books.
Submitted by Toni Scharff, The
Simplicity Project
Magazine Overload?
Check with the local elementary schools, day care
centers, retirement homes, hospitals, and doctors'
offices to see if they would like your (or your
clients') old magazines. Clients are better able to
release them if they know they will be well used or will
be going to a good cause.
Submitted by Ann Gambrell,
Creative Time-Plus
About the TIPS Program: NAPO-LA has
instigated a TIPS Program managed by the chapter's
Golden Circle members. Ann Gambrell is the chair and
invites all chapter members to submit their organizing
tips via email, postal mail or on index cards that will
be available at the monthly chapter meetings for deposit
into the “Organizing Tips” box.
TIPS are requested in two categories:
- "Tips from Pros" are organzing tips for
clients/the public.
- "Tips of the Trade" are tips for organizers to use
in their businesses.
When submitting TIPS, you are invited (optional)
to include your name, business name and contact
information. This will serve to promote you when the
client/public TIPS are posted on the NAPO-LA website's
home page.
Email your TIPS to gambrellann@aol.com
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Golden Circle Update |
Golden Circle at the Beach
By Ann Gambrell Creative-Time Plus and
Golden Circle Liason
The Los Angeles area Golden Circle convened
recently at the Manhattan Beach home of Dolores Kaytes.
Toni Scharff served as co-hostess. After much
conversation and a great lunch, the group enjoyed a NAPO
Golden Circle update lead by Ann Gambrell.
Chris
McKenry, NAPO-LA chapter President, discussed upcoming
chapter events and encouraged members to participate and
help promote various NAPO activities.
Jean
Furuya, as chair of the MET committee, led a discussion
on the need for volunteers in the chapter. All of
members present completed a volunteer form indicating
their willingness to help bring the chapter to another
level in education and outreach through member volunteer
participation.
The Golden Circle Panel, which
will be presented at the NAPO-LA chapter meeting in
September, was formed. Beverly Clower, Marcy Melton and
Diana Ryan willingly offered to participate. Donna
McMillan will act as facilitator. The topic to be
addressed, “If I knew then what I know now," is one sure
to appeal to all members. After each panel member
addresses the topic, a Q & A session will
follow.
For more information on Golden
Circle, contact Ann Gambrell Email: gambrellann@aol.com
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CD Clients – Support Group |
November 9 Meeting Planned
By Jean Furuya The Office Jeanie
If you are working consistently on an ongoing
basis with chronically disorganized clients, you are
invited to participate in an informal support group for
members of NAPO-LA.
Our next meeting will be Thursday, November 9,
6-8:30 pm. The topic will be "Behavioral Techniques for
our CD/ADD clients."
Please RSVP to Jean
Furuya Email: jean@theofficejeanie.com Phone:
310-316-1753
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NAPO-LA in the Schools |
More School Visits Planned
By Deborah Kawashima creativeOrganizer and
Director of Marketing
Our first School Program Teleconference was held
in August to discuss plans for the upcoming school year.
Combining ideas from the two teleconferences (NAPO-LA
group and NAPO-National group), we are implementing a
new and improved program for organizing students and for
bringing PO’s into the schools for this
purpose.
The classroom presentations will now
include a hands-on activity for organizing the insides
of student’s desks, plus posting of a classroom chart
for tracking individual progress on staying organized. A
follow-up visit will take place a few months
later.
PTA meetings have been added to educate parents
about the classroom presentations and to show parents
how we are teaching their kids to get organized in the
classroom. This will give parents a better understanding
of how they can help their kids at home, especially with
schoolwork. Parents are given hand-outs with school and
homework organizing tips. Included is an incentive
coupon to hire a PO for their homes.
We are now scheduling school visits (both public
and private) for mid-October through
November.
Schools must commit to the full
program; i.e., a PTA talk in October (before the
presentation), the classroom presentation (GR 1- 5) for
mid-October through early November, and a follow-up
visit in January. We are encouraging PO’s to volunteer
in a school in their area.
To join the NAPO-LA in the Schools Yahoo! Group,
click here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/napolainschools/join
To volunteer, contact Deborah
Kawashima Email: deborah@creativeorganizer.com
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NAPO-LA MET Program |
MET Program Classifieds
Check out the MET Program Classifieds on the
NAPO-LA website. They are an excellent opportunity for
advertisers to share their knowledge and for others to
investigate ways to move their businesses forward. If
you would like to grow your business in 2006, check out
the MET classifieds for an experienced organizer who can
help you get to where you want to go! Click below for
details:
Met
Classifieds
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“Get Organized Month” is a January Event
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Start Thinking about "GO
Month"
By Joanna Sletten The Organized Experience and
NAPO-LA Director of Membership
“Get Organized Month,” also known simply as “GO
Month,” was created by NAPO to focus not only on the
benefits of getting organized but also on the tools and
techniques necessary to achieve that goal.
Every
year for the past five years, NAPO-LA has chosen a local
charity to spend a day organizing, streamlining and
bringing order to its corporate office. In past years,
NAPO-LA organizers teamed up at Project Angel Food,
Habitat for Humanity, Break the Cycle, and the Los
Angeles Free Clinic.
In 2006, NAPO-LA chose the
National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) as their GO
Month project. Twenty or so NAPO-LA members
participated, volunteering their time and energy to
organize the offices of the NCJW into a more efficient,
well-organized workplace in which to better serve their
clients.
We organized their supply rooms,
charitable stockpiles, offices, basement and call
center. The day-long event was an amazing opportunity
for me and other new members to give back to the
community as well as to meet and network with other
NAPO-LA organizers. When we divided up into our small
group assignments, it gave me a chance to work on a team
with members who had considerable experience, as well as
others like me who were embarking on a new career.
At the end of the day, we had a tour of the
entire office to see what the other groups had done. The
event was a wonderful opportunity to collaborate on
organizing challenges and to be exposed to many creative
approaches.
I look forward to participating next
year and tackling yet another great project! Hope to see
you there.
"Get Organized Month" will be held again in
January 2007. To volunteer for this event,
contact: Michelle Quintana Email: michelle@thesimpleorganizer.com
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