Make an Impact Volunteering With PayrollOrg

When I was asked to write an article for PAYTECH, I knew what I wanted to talk about—volunteering. Over the past few years, I’ve become much more involved in all things PayrollOrg, both at the local and national levels, and I think anyone who knew me “way back when” would be shocked at my level of involvement today.

Why is that? Well, I’m actually quite introverted.

I want this article to speak to anyone who has ever thought about volunteering or getting involved with PayrollOrg but is hesitant for any reason. For those of you already involved—thank you! Your efforts are important and have made a huge impact on the payroll profession. I’m proud to be associated with every one of you.

If you are not currently involved, I want to share how I went from being a very shy person to someone who is honored to volunteer and serve the payroll community on several levels today.

My journey started in 2003 when I attended my first New England Payroll Conference (NEPC). I was amazed at the coordinated effort it took to put on such a well-organized event.

That conference in particular got me excited about the payroll community and payroll as a real career option. It also inspired me to sit for the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) exam in 2006.

Fast forward to 2011; I was fortunate to be able to attend my first Payroll Congress in Salt Lake City. That experience changed my life! I thought the NEPC was a big deal, and it was, but this was the Super Bowl of payroll conferences!

I traveled with my friend and colleague, Sonya Tomlin, who was anything but shy. We saw Dan Maddux, PayrollOrg’s Executive Director, in the Expo and she said, “We’re going to get our picture taken with him!” That was thrilling (and terrifying) all at once. I mean, it was Dan Maddux! (See photo.)

From 2003 to 2011, I had almost no involvement with PayrollOrg aside from being a member. But something inside me clicked during my first Payroll Congress, and I realized that I wanted to be a part of all this and to do my part for our industry.

Then I wondered—where do I even start?

I knew there was a local chapter in New Hampshire as I had attended a few of their educational offerings and was dabbling in creating websites as a side job. So, I reached out to see if they’d like me to get a website running for them. This was a way I could help but stay safely behind the scenes—remember, I’m an introvert.

Helping that local chapter was very rewarding, and I met so many amazing people through my involvement.

In 2018, during Payroll Congress in National Harbor, Md., I had lunch in the Expo with Rosemarie Fraumeni, CPP, who was part of the NEPC Board. She encouraged me to be more involved and invited me to be on the NEPC planning committee.

This was someone who I really admired and looked up to—I was honored and humbled by the invitation. She and the rest of the NEPC Board helped me to realize I could, and wanted to, get involved.

I had been a member of PayrollOrg since 2006 and signed up for the APA Hotline (now PayrollOrg’s “Ask an Expert” committee). Answering payroll questions via email was a nice, safe choice for me.

I realized, though, that it was time for me to break out of my comfort zone. I joined several other PayrollOrg committees over the next few years. In 2021, I was invited to serve on the Education Grant Committee and then to be a member of the Board of Advisors in 2022.

What’s the point of this trip down memory lane? Well, when I went to the NEPC in 2003, I never imagined I would be as involved as I am today. Aside from my painful shyness, I was hesitant because I thought the time commitment would be too much. But that wasn’t the case at all.

If you’re on the fence about volunteering, jump off and do it. If you’re wondering where to start, visit Payroll.org/chapters where you can find a chapter near you.

Join the chapter but also ask if they need help. I guarantee you’ll be welcomed with open arms. Also, consider visiting Payroll.org/volunteer and joining some of the PayrollOrg committees if you haven’t already.

Check out the Strategic Payroll Leadership Task Force (SPLTF) subcommittees. There are 13 different ones! That title may sound intimidating, but the SPLTF groups are the perfect place to start. There is a subcommittee for almost every business sector, and you’ll learn about industry-specific happenings and how other companies are handling new compliance issues—but best of all, it’s a safe place to ask questions. You can attend the monthly calls and lurk in the background learning and absorbing until you’re ready to share your thoughts and ideas.

As payroll professionals, many of us enjoy the benefits of PayrollOrg offerings at a local or national level but may be hesitant to volunteer. My path over the last few years has been such a positive, rewarding experience.

I’ve made lifelong friends, grown professionally and personally, and I really feel like I’ve made an impact. I’ve truly gotten back so much more than I’ve given.

If you’re like I once was—sitting on the sidelines watching all the amazing things being done within PayrollOrg and wondering what you can contribute—I’m here to tell you that you can, and will, make a difference.

Wonderful things happen at the local and national levels, but not without great people behind the scenes—and yes, that means you. Take that leap, get involved. You won’t regret it.

Sue Noyes, CPP, is the Payroll Manager at J. Jill in Tilton, N.H. She has served on PayrollOrg’s Ask an Expert Committee, Board of Advisors, CHAMPS Committee, Chapter Recognition Committee, Education Grant Committee, Social Networking Committee, and SPLTF Best Practices and Retail Best Practices Subcommittees. She is also a member of the Maine Association of Payroll Professionals and served multiple terms as Webmaster and Co-Chair for the New England Payroll Conference. She received a PayrollOrg Meritorious Service Award in 2025.

For more articles like this, read PAYTECH magazine (available in both printed and digital formats), free for PayrollOrg members!

PayrollOrg (PAYO), is the leader in payroll education, publications, and training. This nonprofit association conducts more than 300 payroll training conferences and seminars across the country each year and publishes a complete library of resource texts and newsletters. Representing more than 20,000 members, PAYO is the industry’s highly respected and collective voice in Washington, D.C. Get more information at www.payroll.org.

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