Serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and Delaware
Serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and Delaware
Everyone loves a little drama! Sticky Situations might be your guilty pleasure. Hopefully they aren’t as sticky as the ones the AI-generated image shows. I hope this image is good for a laugh.
Our next NAPO-GPC monthly meeting will be on June 19, 2025 via Zoom. Members will receive their meeting link via email. Guests are encouraged to attend by registering here.
5 pm networking/schmooz-a-rama, new & prospective member Q&A
5:30 pm official start, chapter updates
7 pm meeting wrap
Sticky Situations are moments with clients when our ethics, best business practices, knowledge and experience are challenged. New and veteran organizers alike face these. Sharing them with colleagues can be enlightening. Just like reality TV, discussing sticky situations gives us a chance to get a little dramatic (but in a safe way).
Zoom meeting breakout discussions on each Sticky Situation selected will let us get down and dirty and get to know each other professionally.
Our meeting date falls on Juneteenth, so please check your schedule. Maybe figuring out how to honor a new federal holiday feels like a sticky situation to you? Come join us, as we figure it out together.
Save the date: Our next in person event is our summer picnic taking place on July 17, 2025. Members will receive details in email. Click here to join now.
NAPO-GPC is thrilled to welcome Julie Morgenstern back home to the Philly area!
A renowned organizing and productivity expert, author, and speaker, Julie returns to present “Becoming the Go-To Expert From the Inside Out” on Thursday, May 15, at the Sheraton Valley Forge King of Prussia, 480 N. Gulph Rd. in King of Prussia. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., with the program to start at 3 p.m. Please note that this meeting is in-person only; there will be no recordings.
Through her presentation, Julie shares the strategies she used to establish her brand as one of the most respected in her industry and grow her small business from an idea – born in a corner of her living room – to an international enterprise. Audience members learn how to position themselves as experts, target a core client base, cultivate relationships with the media, leverage the authenticity of their brands, and develop systems to manage time, space and content to maintain a competitive edge and generate revenue.
Cost is $50 for non-NAPO members and includes light refreshments. The cost for GPC members, however, is free, but you must use the special code that we are sharing through our channels only when registering to get the free entry.
NAPO members earn 1.5 CEUs through their participation in this event. While there will be no book sales at the event, you’re welcome to bring a copy of one of Julie’s books and ask her to sign it for you.
Any professional in business for themselves, whether startup or veteran, will find value in this engaging presentation, which includes a Q&A session. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best and take your career to the next level!
Register at https://juliemorgenstern-napogpc.eventbrite.com today! And please contact NAPO-GPC President Tom Harper at for more information.
Please visit our Events tab under News & Events to check out some great photos and a summary of our 2023 Winter Social held in Devon!
Our chapter was chosen by NAPO National to be the NAPO Chapter Spotlight on the members-only portion of its website for June 2023. Tom Harper, our newly inducted Board President, had the pleasure of sharing more about GPC, and this is what he shared:
Here to share about NAPO Greater Philadelphia is current President @Tom Harper!
Tell us about yourself: “I am the newly inducted president of NAPO-GPC, after serving as our chapter’s Director of Professional Development. I ran unopposed. It’s either because I impressed everyone with my amazing lack of experience, or because I missed a meeting and was justly “voluntold”; I’m not sure which. I think I’ll stick around, though, given the great people and, of course, the wonderful perks (e.g., no one else can read the anti-trust policy but me).”
What makes your chapter special? “Well, it could be the fact that we fully support one another professionally and personally, without any hint of ego or competitiveness. Then again, it could be the familial bonds that have been developed among all members, both veteran and new. Or it could be that we have the kindest, hardest-working, most caring, and best-looking members around. I’ll say all of the above.”
Are there any star volunteers you’d like to shine a light on? “I could pick any one of the nearly 50 chapter members we have, quite frankly, because they are all stars in their own right. Actually, I’m defying convention and picking the entire chapter (and not just to be self-serving because I could use a couple more stars on our Board). I’m a die-hard sports fan, and I believe it takes a full team effort to make any success happen. The Greater Philadelphia Chapter is successful because of its truly special, very dedicated members who want to see the chapter grow and thrive. I’m humbled to be president of this chapter – even if I have no idea how I got elected.”
Thank you, Tom, for sharing your wit and enthusiasm about NAPO Greater Philadelphia, and especially for your leadership and contributions to NAPO!
Courtesy of www.napo.net
By Darla Pompilio, (610) 847 5422, Your Tasks, Our Time
Do you have a parent or senior in your life that could benefit from downsizing their home but
you’re not sure how to approach the discussion? The topic of downsizing can be a difficult for
some. They may have to part with items that have memories attached. Or it may make them
feel like they are losing a piece of themselves. Below are some key aspects to ensure you have a
supportive and respectful discussion with the seniors in your life.
Before You Begin the Conversation
Before you start the conversation with your loved one, keep a few things in mind.
Be Respectful and Non-Judgmental
A Senior’s possessions represent a lifetime of memories. Dismissing their value as worthless is
equal to dismissing the senior’s value.
Don’t Lecture
Most seniors will respond well if you share your concerns and express your desire for them to
be in a safe and comfortable environment. It’s not about forcing them to get rid of things, it’s
about helping them to live their best life.
How to Begin the Conversation
How you start the conversation, and the tone you use, can impact the discussion either positively or negatively. Come from a place of support and love so they understand your desire to help them. Below is a list of questions you can use to get the conversation started.
Open-ended questions will be better to gain more information.
During the Conversation
Getting the conversation started is a step in the right direction. Keeping the conversation going in a positive direction is just as important. Remember these key points as you progress through your discussion.
Simply Listen
This is probably the most important step in the process. When seniors let go of their possessions, it often feels like a loss of control. By listening to their wants, needs and desires, you’re helping to ensure that they are maintaining control.
Ask Questions
Allowing seniors to tell stories about the past as you sort through their possessions can help ease some of the anxiety during the process of letting go.
Pick Your Battles
Arguing over every item is going to end with lots of hurt feelings and no progress. Letting go takes practice and patience. Keep reminding your loved one of the ultimate goal … for them to live their best life. It will get easier as they become more comfortable with letting go.
This process won’t be done overnight. It’s not uncommon to go through an entire home 2 to 3 times to achieve the desired goals. So be kind. Be patient. And remember, you may be in a similar situation yourself in the future.
By Russell Pitcairn, The Junkluggers, (215) 779 1644
Recently, I asked my network to share several of their favorite books. Below is a list of inspirational books along with their own key takeaway. Feel free to comment if you have read any of the books below. Let me know if you have a favorite book that has inspired you. Please enjoy!
“Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson
Linda’s Key Takeaway: Be Flexible
“The Tipping Point” By Malcolm Gladwell
Linda’s Key Takeaway: Keep your eyes and mind open at a high level.
“The Purple Cow” By Seth Godin
Nate’s Key Takeaway: Companies that have grown into large successful organizations did so by offering a remarkable service or product. In order to succeed in the same industry, you must offer SOMETHING ELSE that is remarkable, stands out, and talks to the people. It’s the only way to be successful in the long run.
“The Go Giver” By Bob Burg and John David Mann
“A Complaint Free World” By Will Bowen
Linda’s Key Takeaway: Be aware, stop and surround yourself with those that come up with solutions…not complaints.
“Wild: From Lost to Found on The Pacific Crest Trail” By Cheryl Strayed
Linda’s Key Takeaway: Get out of your comfort zone.
“Resilience” By Eric Greitens
“Never Split the Difference” By Chris Voss.
Russell’s Key Takeaway: If someone gives you a response you do not like, ask open ended questions like “Why?” or “How?” This may reveal key information, or may get the other person to come up with a different response.
“One Small Step Can Change Your Life” By Robert Maurer
Linda’s Key Takeaway: Move with intention and control.
“Welcoming the Unwelcome” By Pema Chodron
Darla’s Key Takeaway: The time we live in is a fertile ground for training in being open-minded and open-hearted. If we can learn to hold this falling apart-ness without polarization and without becoming fundamentalists, then whatever we do today will have a positive effect on the future.
“A Fine Mess” By TR Reid
Blair’s Key Takeaway: Understanding America’s tax system and an effective way to restructure it. Lower tax rates but eliminate deductions/ways people avoid them, but broaden the tax base/tax on spending of earnings.
