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STRATEGIC PLAN FRAMEWORK - JUNE 2003   
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Mission - our calling, the timeless reason we are in business

HMA encourages, supports and develops leaders in emerging practices in the integration of faith and health.

Values - our guiding principles
  • Inclusivity - We embrace and honor people of diverse faiths, backgrounds and interests.

  • Community - We foster caring, productive relationships among and between leaders and the constituencies they support.

  • Justice - We advocate for every person's right to holistic care and for the integration of faith and health in the U. S. health care system.

  • Participation - We engage the insights and skills of health and faith practitioners including health professionals, clergy (religious leaders) and members who serve congregations, health service providers and communities.

  • Stewardship - We make resourceful use of the investments of faith, health and financial assets entrusted to our use.
Vision - a picture of what we will accomplish by 12/31/07

HMA is the leader of the campaign to establish the integration of faith and health as essential to health and well-being.

Strategic Objectives - what we will accomplish by 12/31/07
  1. Member Participation Goal: The HMA board, committees, conferences, partnership and products will embody and honor multi-faith diversity.

    Rationale

    HMA's mission is to integrate faith and health in the United States health system. Because this country is comprised of peoples of various faiths and belief systems, it is important to incorporate and reflect this diversity in the working framework of our organization. HMA should represent members who follow diverse spiritual paths and provide opportunities for those so desiring to achieve leadership positions within the organization. As we seek additional funding and collaborative partners, it will be necessary for us to identify and reflect our support of health ministry within diverse faith groups.

    Possible Strategies

    • Identify and implement collaborative partnerships and funding opportunities with various faith groups.

    • Establish a committee to work on issues of multi-faith inclusivity.

      • Find a way for faith groups to honor their beliefs and traditions within the HMA organization.

      • Provide education and information that eases the interaction and expression of beliefs within a multi-faith environment.


    • Ensure the composition of the board reflects the faith diversity of the HMA membership.

    • Explore new partnerships with health systems within the United States.

    • Foster denominational caucuses within HMA.

    • Explore and develop linkages to federal faith - health initiatives and other organizations that share our values.


  2. Membership Goal: Promote the value of national membership.

    Rationale

    As a membership organization, HMA has an opportunity to create and mobilize a wide network of resources for health care providers and faith based organizations. HMA also has opportunities for members to express their faith and commitment to public health by offering this expertise to the community. In the current environment, current and potential members are carefully considering the value created by membership in organizations like the HMA. HMA must ensure that members benefit directly from its networking opportunities and information sharing, to create indisputable value for members in exchange for their investments of time and funds.

    Possible Strategies.

    • Manage relationships with chapters to ensure continuity of communication and involvement.

    • Use technology to enhance connections with members for sharing information and mobilizing advocacy.

    • Find ways to engage members in decision making.

    • Conduct a survey of member needs on a regularly scheduled basis and ask members for input on the structure by inviting feedback on model options.

    • Build a leadership pipeline.

      • Offer leadership, organizing, fundraising and advocacy training as well as practical skills.

      • Focus on nominations and committees throughout the year, to grow and promote leadership and participation by individual members. Broaden the mandate to the nominating committee to identify committee members as well as board members.

      • Establish identification and cultivation of leadership as a responsibility of every member of HMA.

      • Develop a program to recruit, retain and recognize leaders of HMA and leaders in the practices of the integration of faith and health.

      • Ask committee chairs to describe their committee assignments during introductions at the national meeting.


    • Provide resources and services to members.

      • Maintain a catalog of state-by-state resources and a member list, plus access to local support networks and regional conference (if available) for distribution to the membership.

      • Share national conference findings and activities at local level.

      • Offer technical assistance as "how to" support for people seeking to organize networks and support groups.

      • Consider video or web hookup for keynoters to share the conference with members.


    • Create a board slot for liaison, i.e. field coordinator, with local and regional groups.

    • Continue to support and promote individuals in creating denominational, local and regional networks and conferences.

    • Improve technology and data base to support interaction between members and national.


  3. Collaboration Goal: Position HMA at the highest level of influence within the scope of whole person health.

    Rationale

    HMA is rich in human resources and contacts in the area of holistic health, but is currently not involved in high-level policy and strategy decisions. By functioning on a national level, HMA will extend its reach and credibility as a policy advocate. As collaborations develop our vision for the campaign will be achieved.

    Possible Strategies

    • Assess membership resources and contacts

      • Inventory the affiliations and contacts of board members to identify a list of prospective partners.

      • Survey the membership for affiliations, networks and contacts they'd be willing to share with HMA. Update the enrollment form to capture this information in the future.

      • Develop position papers or statement s of philosophy, as the need arises. Use endorsement of this as the basis for some partnerships.

      • Assign ownership of partnership building process to the board, including defining criteria for partnerships, shared vision, mutual commitments and management/protection of HMA equity and social capital.

      • Identify specific projects to pursue with potential partners.

      • Develop publications, including a journal serving the field of whole health ministry.

      • Position HMA to become a liaison to federal faith-health initiatives and other organizations that share our values.


  4. Goal: Expand resources to ensure the growth of the organization.

    Rationale

    Effective operations within HMA are key to achieving our growth and expansion goals. In order to maintain and increase this growth we must build our capacity to support this growth by assessing our financial needs and planning accordingly.

    Possible Strategies

    • Require business plans for every proposed project.

    • Prepare a development plan to establish a systematic approach to fundraising.

    • Expand the website and use of technology to improve efficiency and deliver programs to members and partners.

    • Increase the resource capacity to address the needs of members, prospective members and partners.

    • Find ways to increase capacity through increasing member involvement in committees and strengthening the committee structure.

    • Explore opportunities for new collegial relationships with health systems within the US.
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