_
STRATEGIC PLAN BACKGROUND  
_


Health Ministries Association (HMA) is support network for people of faith who promote whole-person health through faith groups in the communities they serve. By providing information, guidelines and resources, HMA assists and encourages individuals, called health ministers, as they develop whole person health programs, utilize community resources, and educate others on the interdependent health of body, mind and spirit. A non-profit organization, HMA is inclusive and collaborative interfaith, inter-professional, interagency.

HMA membership is open to individuals, faith communities, institutions, and organizations. Since its founding in 1989 as a resource to support faith community nurses, HMA's membership has grown to more than 1,300. Last year over 400 health ministry practitioners attended HMA's annual conference. Currently HMA offers educational and support programs for members called to work as:
  • Faith Community nurses
  • Program coordinators
  • Health Ministries Health Educators
  • Clergy/Chaplains
  • Lay health ministers
  • Health and Human Service Professionals
  • Partner Congregations and organizations in whole person ministry
HMA is managed by an Philadelphia-based, professional association management firm - Fernley and Fernley. Members of the Board of Directors handle the work of the organization, based on direction coming from bi-annual board meetings, and periodic conference calls.

Coming out of this experience, the Board of Directors agreed to take a strategic look at the future of HMA. The current challenges facing the organization include:
  • A need to develop a shared vision for the future.
  • Responding to rapid growth in the number of members served and services offered.
  • Developing an infrastructure to meet current needs and future growth rate.
  • Building productive partnerships with a diverse range of participants.
  • Taking advantage of new ideas and direction while building on the history of HMA
Against this background the Strategic Planning Committee ("Team") prepared the following strategic plan to:
  • To develop a strategic plan for the next three years that develops a strategic fit between the organization's capacity and the external environment.
  • Develop an ongoing strategic planning process.
  • Establish resource requirements to meet fundraising needs
The Planning Committee consisted of the following members:
  • Lynn Faria
  • Carol Story
  • Carmella Jones
  • Sharon Stanton
  • Peggy Matteson
  • Sharon Becker
  • Sharon Adkins
  • Becky Anton
Special acknowledgment goes to the Board of Directors, Chapter Chairs and key stakeholders for their input and support during this effort. Rechtman Consulting Group facilitated the planning process during the third quarter of 2003.

  Copyright HMA