Below is an introduction followed by the minutes from the work sessions that the "Planning Team" engaged in from August 2009 through June 2010. The first three paragraphs were written in February 2010.
Meeting the Needs of the OMA Alliance " 2010 and Beyond
This is the issue addressed by the present OMA Alliance officers/leaders. In late spring of 2009, we convened for two days of work with a professional facilitator. The following people committed to this purpose: Sandra Gade, Eva Germaine-Shimotakahara, Thresia Haugen, Darlena Heintz-Holt, Beth Irish, Leanna Lindquist, Kathe Linden, Barb Martin, Vicki Morgan, Pam Olsen, and Marie Stoddard. Addressed were questions specific to our organization"s relevance and visibility. Many state alliances around the country are faced with the same issue. Many county alliances have ceased to exist. In Oregon, we have four active county alliances (Douglas, Jackson, Klamath and Southwest) where once there were 16 to 20. The participants had more than 100 years of collective experience in OMAA. Every one of us had been personally recruited by a friend. We shared many of the same motivations for engagement: service opportunities, leadership growth, focused opportunities and assignments, political advocacy, support to spouse and OMA; however, the one we all spoke of was the personal/social connection, the high caliber dialogue and networking" the sharing and friendships.
Focus for the OMAA will be shifted to four main categories of activity: service, personal growth, legislative advocacy, and social. We have established by unanimous agreement that our bylaws are suspended over the next year to two, as we develop new ones. We will go forward with a new board structure that reflects our current activities and interests. A decision to change the role of the (VP) vice president(s) has been made to reflect an activity or initiative, not a geographic area of the state. The Spring conference for 2010, taking place at Sunriver Resort, will focus on being informative and educational, as well as allowing for networking and promoting celebration of who we are and what we can do! This planning team will continue to develop and implement an organic document that will allow us to grow as an organization, and as individuals. The commitment, enthusiasm and initiative of our leadership team are its greatest strength at this time - and the greatest hope for the Alliance"s continued relevance. We welcome all Alliance members who are interested; your involvement will help to make a difference.
Written and published in the February 2010 Grapevine, these first three paragraphs may give us all pause to look at where we are now. A lot has changed for the OMAA, and as with all organizations, there will continue to be more change. Not all members of this original planning team are still involved, but new ones have been added and the desire and commitment to move the Alliance forward is strong. Some of the ideas and projects have fallen by the wayside and some are continuing to evolve. A Bylaws Work Group is presently developing Amended Bylaws to bring to the membership at the Annual Spring Conference, April 30 in Portland when we meet at OMA Headquarters. They will address a different, but more relevant way of doing Alliance business.
Please continue to view our website and let me know what you would like to see on our pages.
Beth Irish
OMAA President 2010-11
irish.b@comcast.net
