Message from Chairman Hart

What’s in it For Your Chapter?

This time of year finds many chapters becoming involved in their chapter planning and focusing on the goals that will help them become the chapter they have always dreamed about.  It is one of the great things of our organization because we have the chance to dream and accomplish.  As I approach the midpoint of my term as your chairman, I would like to share just a few thoughts on how you can get more from NMA and achieve those goals you are dreaming about.

A major benefit of belonging to NMA is that we are really two corporate structures and we get resources from both but only pay one.  The organization that many don’t think about too often is the NMA Educational Foundation.  This corporate structure has the mission to develop the educational materials that we use and accomplishes its work from funds that are available through corporate donations.  Most of our course materials are funded through the Foundation.  Recently we have completed the revisions of both Supervisory and Management Skills (SMS) Course 6, - Challenge of a New Employee, and just this summer we are releasing SMS Course 7, - Coaching and Counseling.  As each of your chapters plans its educational development opportunities for the next year, I would suggest that you consider putting at least one of each of these in your curriculum.  They are extremely relevant to your work and the goals of your chapter.

NMA has recently completed, as sponsored by the Foundation, the new course materials on FaciliSkills^TM for all four modules.  Many of you had the chance to experience the hands-on training approach at the Chapter Leadership Conferences and gave us great feedback.  The focus of these modules is on a participatory approach to group involvement and accomplishing goals.  The challenge, as many of us know, is to meet both of these objectives.  Your chapter or company is probably struggling with just this issue, and NMA can provide you with the vehicle to be a valuable contributor to solving the problem.  Call Karen Tobias at NMA headquarters to get your chapter lined up with some of the best training expertise in the country as well as great course materials.  Since you get both instructors and materials, you won’t be able to beat this value!

Lastly, in setting your goals don’t overlook making your chapter stretch in terms of new members.  Of course we always like to see new members at the national level, but the true impact and benefit is to your chapter.  New people bring energy and new ideas.  They bring leadership possibilities that will allow your chapter to perform better and to be recognized as a true leadership training ground.  Promotional materials are always available through headquarters, but the best drives are the ones you put together.  Then share the results and methods with others.  You will not only have fun, but your chapter will continue to be the place to be.

Have a great summer, and we will see you in San Francisco in September!