The 2023 Update Retreat was held on August 20-21, 2023, at the Dancing Bear Lodge in Townsend, Tennessee. Retreat activities included dinner at the Appalachian Bistro, a Bunko membership social, and conversation & s’mores around the campfire on Sunday evening. Monday began with an amazing breakfast prior to gathering for official business, which focused on the TMAA Strategic Plan. The retreat-style event provided attendees the opportunity to get to know one another, share ideas, projects, and struggles among AIMS/alliances, and offer input regarding the purpose and potential of TMAA.
As a foundation for conversation, we listed things that define TMAA as an organization: membership eligibility requirements; our association with TMA; the connections between the national, state, and county alliances; our mission statement and bylaws; laws concerning 501c organizations; the work of our focus Vice Presidents; our meetings; the philanthropic fund; our leaders; and our TMAA Strategic Plan. We acknowledged that how successfully we implement our goals and processes also defines who we are, and that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done to fully meet the TMAA Strategic Plan Objectives:
Goal 1 | Develop TMAA’s Messaging and Identity
Goal 2 | Grow TMAA’s Membership
Goal 3 | Develop TMAA’s Internal Organizational Capacity
Breakout sessions were led by the Vice Presidents of Communication, Health Promotions, Legislation, and Membership, and the Chairs of the Philanthropic Fund and Planning & Development Committee. Attendees were able to explore how each area relates to our mission, offer ideas toward achieving the desired outcomes formed by our strategic plan, and help set measures of success for assessing our progress and holding ourselves accountable.
It was so exciting to see the engagement of our leaders and members as they worked together to create our goals for the year and visions for the future. If you were unable to join us for Update Retreat but have ideas to share, I invite input and participation from all of you with Hearts for Health to help TMAA in Creating Meaningful Connections through Friendship and Philanthropy!
Cynthia Gash | TMAA President 2023-2024
