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Send to friendFrequently Asked Questions about the Name Change
Why did the NSGCD decide to change its name?
The organization has outgrown its name. When the organization was founded in 2001, it was indeed a national group that studied chronic disorganization. It grew to become an international group that educates professionals, conducts research, and provides strategies for helping those who are organizationally challenged.
The new name will allow us to clarify our brand identity and enhance our image.
Who chose the new name?
After the Board of Directors voted to change the name, a Name Change Steering Committee was established. After months of work (see below), the committee recommended two names to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee selected one of those names to present to the Board of Directors. The Board unanimously approved that recommendation.
How was the name arrived at?
The Name Change Steering Committee conducted focus groups with six different constituencies:
- NSGCD subscribers (members)
- Professional organizers who are not NSGCD subscribers
- Related professionals
- Chronically disorganized clients
- The public
- The media
In addition, the NCSC conducted a survey of all NSGCD subscribers.
The data that came out of that research indicated that the new name:
What differences will having a new name make?
The new name and its tagline, “Education. Research. Strategies.” should be easier to remember and more clearly reflect what the organization is, the premier resource for education, research, and strategies for overcoming challenging disorganization. The new name and its acronym are also much easier to pronounce than the original name. Both these aspects of the new name will enhance marketing and branding efforts and help us to continue to grow.
What is the timeline for the transition to the new name?
If all the paperwork is completed in time as planned, the new name will become official on January 1, 2011. We hope to have a logo to unveil at that time as well. After the logo is created, the website will undergo changes to reflect the new name and tagline. There will be a period of six months or so during which both names will be used (as in “Institute for Challenging Disorganization, formerly known as National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization”).
Does the name change mean the focus of the organization is changing?
Absolutely not. The new name reflects the current work and focus of the organization.
What does the new name mean for the website? Will it get an overhaul?
Once we have a new logo, cosmetic changes will be made to the website. A complete overhaul has not been included in this budget year. In addition to the cosmetic changes, some money has been budgeted to make the website more useful for the public.
What will the new URL be?
We have reserved the URL www.challengingdisorganization.org. Once the new name is official, www.nsgcd.org will be redirected to it. Until that time, www.challengingdisorganization.org is being redirected to www.nsgcd.org.
Is “Challenging” meant as a verb or adjective?
It can be both and you can use it the way that’s most comfortable for you. In general, though, the association will be using it as an adjective modifying the word disorganization, rather than a verb.
Why “Challenging” Disorganization, rather than “Chronic” Disorganization?
Chronic was seen by the focus groups and survey respondents to be too negative and confusing for the general public and media. The term “challenging disorganization” is more inclusive and hopeful and less clinical-sounding than “chronic disorganization.” The new name lets people know that we have strategies to help them overcome their disorganization, regardless of how long disorganization has been a challenge.
Will we stop using the phrase “chronic disorganization”?
That remains to be seen. As we get used to the term challenging disorganization the phrase chronic disorganization may be phased out. It will certainly not be banned, however.
Does CPO-CD® now stand for Certified Professional Organizer in Challenging Disorganization?
No. Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization® is a trademarked phrase and there are no plans to change it.
Why was the term “Institute” selected? Isn’t an institute a building?
An institute is defined as “a society or organization having a particular object or common factor, esp. a scientific, educational, or social one: the Institute for Advanced Studies | a research institute.” There is no inherent implication of a brick-and-mortar building.
I don’t remember voting on the name change. Was there a vote that I missed?
No, there wasn’t a vote. NSGCD isn’t a membership organization. It was incorporated in the state of California as a public benefit corporation. State law requires that any action to be taken on behalf of subscribers of a public benefit corporation be taken by the board of directors of the corporation. That is why we always refer to “subscribers” rather than “members.” A vote of the subscribers is not required or, in fact, allowed. For this reason, we thought it was very important for subscribers to be involved in the focus groups and the survey.
I have to get new business cards printed before the first of the year. What name should I put on them?
If you like to show your affiliation with NSGCD/ICD on your business card, you can safely use ICD. We won’t have a logo before the end of the year, but you can use the name. You can also include www.challengingdisorganization.org in any of your marketing materials. It will become active after the first of the year. In the meantime, it will be redirected to www.nsgcd.org.
I have more questions about the name change. How can I get them answered?
We are creating a special section on the website devoted to the name change. It will be updated as new information is available. Please submit any questions that you have so that we can keep adding to the FAQ. Click here to submit a question.
How do I refer to ICD while making it clear it's the same as NSGCD?
On my website, I replaced "National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD)" with "Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD), formerly NSGCD", wherever it occurred. In six months or so, I'll revisit it and perhaps remove the "formerly NSGCD." (You can see how I handled it on my credentials page, in case it's helpful.)
Will the links I have to www.nsgcd.org on my webpage be automatically redirected?
No. The main page, http://www.nsgcd.org/ is automatically directed to ICD's website, http://www.challengingdisorganization.org/, but subpages return error messages.
Do I still say "chronic disorganization" or should I change everything to "challenging disorganization"?
That's a matter of personal preference. It will doubtless take awhile to get used to the term challenging disorganization. On my website, I kept references to "chronic disorganization" but looked for places where I could change "chronically disorganized" to "challenged by chronic disorganization". I'll be revisiting that periodically.
Where can I get the new logo?
If you're using the NSGCD logo on your website, please download the new logo and replace it with the ICD logo. If you're using it on your business card, I urge you to change to the new logo as soon as you get your business cards reprinted.
Do I say that I have Certificates of Study from the NSGCD or the ICD?
Please use the new name. You can add "formerly NSGCD" where appropriate.
What about the CPO-CD designation? Is it now Certified Professional Organizer in Challenging Disorganization? Do I say came from NSGCD?
First off, CPO-CD still stands for Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization. That’s a registered trademark and will not change in the foreseeable future. While you did earn your CPO-CD from the NSGCD, please use the new name. On my website, I referred to my credential as Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization®, from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD), formerly NSGCD.
What if I had an NSGCD volunteer position before the name change that I want to refer to? Do I use NSGCD or ICD?
You might want to say that you were on the board of directors (or an ambassador, or whatever your past volunteer position was) for the '"National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, now ICD". If you’re doing this on a website or email where you can hyperlink ICD to http://www.challengingdisorganization.org/, please do.
What kind of marketing materials do I need to change?
Please change references to NSGCD on all your marketing materials. In addition to your website and business cards, some places you might need to change include:
* Email sig line
* Facebook profile
* Twitter profile
* Linked In profile
* Bio on the NAPO national website or your NAPO chapter website
* Speaker bio, if you have one
* In the bio blurb on any website you write for
* In the bio blurb of any print articles you write
* Bio with any networking groups you belong to
I’ve already earned some Level I and Level II certificates. Will new ones be issued to me with the new name?
No. Your certificates remain valid with the name NSGCD. Any new certificates you earn after January 1 will have the new name on them. Similarly, those who have earned their Level III CPO-CD pins will be able to continue to wear the NSGCD version with pride. Should they choose, they can purchase an ICD version, once they’re created.