What is NAPO and why do I care?

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is a non-profit professional association whose members include organizing consultants, speakers, trainers, authors, and manufactures of organizing products. It was founded in 1985 and is the only national association of and for organizers with over 4000 members worldwide. They offer their members ongoing education and professional development.  NAPO’s mission is to encourage the development of professional organizers and to promote and advance the professional organizing industry. A NAPO member is an experienced professional with a commitment to the organizing industry. They are informed of the best and most current organization information available. Professional Organizers who are members of NAPO adhere to strict standards of professional conduct and professionalism as detailed in the code of ethics. A Professional Organizer who is a member of NAPO has made a commitment to their business and therefore to the client.

Why do people become Professional Organizers?

Having a unique combination of strong people skills, an ability to teach new ideas, and an exceptional talent for problem-solving as it relates to organization, Professional Organizers pursue this profession because they get satisfaction from helping people organize their lives. They enjoy using their knowledge of various systems, products, furniture, supplies and accessories for organizing a home or office. They have success at breaking a big project into smaller, workable efforts. Organizers are flexible enough to work with individual needs and be able to understand their clients sufficiently to assess what will work for them. Most are highly analytical and creative and feel that organizing is a natural ability that they have been doing all their lives, an inherent skill. Many Organizers either come from “helping professions” or jobs which required them to be exceptionally organized. They are enthusiastic about their careers and their clients.

What can I expect from a Professional Organizer?

You can expect an Organizer to be competent, honest, responsible and to respect your confidentiality. Every Organizer has their own individual method but most will work with input from a client to provide customized solutions, suggestions and choices. They will base their recommendations on the client's needs and lifestyles. They are compassionate toward, not judgmental of their clients. An Organizer will give encouragement and support in order to help clients. They should not be confused with cleaning people, interior decorators or clerical help. You can expect that when a job is complete it will be to your satisfaction.

Will the Professional Organizer do all the work or will she tell me how to do it?

This is your decision but normally an Organizer will work side by side with you to implement a system that will be both familiar and comfortable for you. You will be able to maintain your new organized space since you were involved in the decisions that created it.

Will the Professional Organizer make me throw things away?

Of course not. The Organizer is a consultant who will ask questions and make suggestions so that you can determine what is important to you.

                                                                    Home