This time of year is often viewed as a time for reflection, and I find myself in that mode as I near the end of my three-year term on the OMA board.  I have benefited greatly from the camaraderie and connections afforded me as a result of my board service.  I’ve enjoyed time at board meetings and retreats, where I’ve been able to foster closer connections with colleagues, and think strategically about this important work in beautiful settings.  I’ve continued to expand my professional skillset at the OMA annual conferences. I was particularly pleased to serve as co-convener for the 2018 conference held at the University of Oregon in Eugene.  Perhaps the most gratifying aspect of my time on the board has been the opportunity to engage with the practitioners of tomorrow—whether it be providing OMA conference scholarships for high school students, introducing newcomers to the organization, or moderating graduate student research panels.  Never before has our collective work been so critical, and I’m hopeful that our collective tools and knowledge will become a standard for tomorrow’s leaders.  I know that OMA will continue to play an important role in this regard, and I’m pleased to stand in support of the 2020 board as OMA moves forward.

I wish you all a peaceful new year!

Rob Bearden reports:

The Membership Committee has been busy thinking about membership, from the ground up. In general, the Committee is focused on defining the value proposition members consider every time they pay annual dues. In other words, how do members value the benefits they receive as an OMA member?  The answer to this question is different for every member. 

Grad student, and volunteer, Dani Thompson has been analyzing OMA’s membership statistics to give the Committee a better idea of who members are, how long they’ve been members, and which benefits they find valuable. Past member surveys suggest networking and training opportunities are universally popular benefits and members are willing to pay to support these benefits, at least once, when they join the Association.  When members renew their memberships, it suggests they are satisfied with the value proposition membership presents.  They believe the value they receive is worth the price they pay for their membership.  Alternatively, when members do not choose to renew, logic would suggest that they are not satisfied with the value they received.  The cost of benefits received was too high. 

Working with limited resources, the Committee is always looking at ways to expand and improve member benefits without exceeding OMA’s operating budget.  Calculating this cost-to-benefit ratio is as much art, as it is science.  Fortunately, the Committee consists of both scientists and artists. The objective is to provide the best benefits possible and offer them at a price that makes them accessible, yet sustainable.

In addition to its primary focus on defining the value proposition of OMA membership, the Committee is working with interested volunteers to launch a test mentorship program, support more local Ketchup Debriefs, and develop cross-training opportunities with other professional associations.  More on these initiatives as they develop.