This past weekend we attended the 14th annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Professional Organizers.  We had a good time and attended some thought provoking sessions.  Some highlights:

My favorite quote is from Dr. Ari Tuckman, who gave an excellent presentation on ADHD, said, “A professional organizer helps clients own their items and obligations rather than being owned by them.”

Ketura Persellon, an image consultant, gave advice to professional organizers for themselves and their clients.  She said to look at your wardrobe as a visual resume.  I like that turn of phrase.  The old expression is that you never get a second chance to make a first impression, so make sure it’s the impression you want to make.

Since we’re coming up on Halloween I need to close on Heather Ahern’s discussion about online accounts belonging to the deceased.  Do you actually read the user agreements when you install software or sign up for online services?  I didn’t think so.  You ought to read one some day.  They are, like all unnegotiated contracts, entirely one sided.  Several examples revealed that the consumer owned nothing and their few rights terminate at death.  You also, almost universally, agree never to reveal your password or let someone else use your account.  What does that mean?  Well, for example, if you keep your photos online then when you die they could all be lost.  If they are shared and the service provider doesn’t know that you’ve died then others can access them, but only the shared pictures and only for an indeterminate time.  Your only recourse is to breach your terms of service by giving access to your accounts to someone you trust and hoping that they are successful at committing fraud.  And what if you don’t want to give access to your accounts right now?  There’s now an industry devoted to sending emails for you after they receive word of your demise.  Spooky, huh?

To get your own copies of the presentations you can visit VW Tapes Conference Recording and order CDs or download MP3s.  They don’t have the 2012 conference up yet, but they do have 2011’s recordings for those who are interested.