AAMR - Future Visions Initiative Conference

October 23-24, 1998

Smith, Bucklin & Associates

Management Consulting

Conference Agenda - Day One

8:30 - 10:00 Review of the Survey Results, Report

10:00 - 11:30 Internal - External “S.W.O.T.” (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis

Identification of “Strategic Issues”

11:30 - 12:30 “Visioning the Organization”

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch Break

1:30 - 2:30 Developing a “Mission Statement”

2:30 - 3:30 What are the “Principles” of the Organization?

3:30 - 5:00 Identification and Definition of “Goals”

Conference Agenda - Day Two

8:30 - 9:30 Summary of Results of Day One

9:30 - 11:00 Outline of Strategic Objectives

11:00 - 12:00 Prioritization of Strategic Objectives

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch Break

1:00 - 2:30 Tactics -- Essential Components of a Business Plan

2:30 - 3:30 What Would Need to be Done to Implement Such a Plan (Returning to S.W.O.T.

Analysis); How Can the Current Structure be Adapted?

Conference Agenda Day Two (cont.)

3:30 - 4:30 Developing a Game Plan

- What are Priority Action Ideas

- “What if” Scenarios

4:30 - 5:00 Remaining Issues

Report Overview

• Chicago Focus Group Session: 11 Participants

• D.C. Focus Group Session: 14 Participants

• Opinion-Leader Interviews: 12 Interviewees

• Conference Call with West Coast Members: 7 Participants

Chicago Focus Group Session(Strategic Issues - Selected)

• Strengths: Member Satisfaction; National Scope• Weaknesses: Size & Diversity; Decline in

Membership• Opportunities: Foster Careers for Direct Support

Professionals; Political Advocacy

• Threats: Lack of Purpose and Focus; Decreasing need for Individual Affiliation

D.C. Focus Group Session(Strategic Issues - Selected)

• Strengths: Multi-disciplinary; Strong National Membership; Publications

• Weaknesses: Too Diverse; Weak at State Level; Secondary Allegiance

• Opportunities: Involve Younger Generation; New Niche Opportunities; Internet

• Threats: Move Towards Regional Providers; Reduction of Administrators

Chicago Focus Group Session(Vision)

• “AAMR Announces a New Name”• “Membership Hits 10,000, Again”• “AAMR Articulates Vision of 50 States into

National Consensus”• “AAMR Compels US Investment in Research and

Implementation of Prevention”• “AAMR Announces There is No Need for ADA”• “AAMR Advances Income Levels of Direct Service

Professionals”

D.C. Focus Group Session(Vision - Selected)

• “Last Institution in the US Closes”• “Presidential Candidate Seeks Endorsement from

AAMR”• “Congress Passes Rights Bill for Mentally Retarded

Sponsored by AAMR”• “Members of AAMR Have Highest Salaries in

Health Care Professionals”• “National Disability Organizations Look to AAMR

for Leadership

Chicago Focus Group Session(Mission)

“AAMR is a multinational, professional organization - of people for people - interested in promoting training based on research, that develops service systems which assure the rights and respect the choices of people with developmental disabilities, to live their lives to their fullest potential. It promotes advocacy on behalf of children and adults with developmental disabilities, and participates in the formation of public policy that assures their rights and respects their choices.”

D.C. Focus Group Session(Mission)

“AAMR is a fully participatory organization of people interested in promoting the rights and interests of individuals with developmental disabilities. The AAMR provides the highest professional standards by bridging the gap between research and practice to ensure individual choice and availability of quality services through positive practice and the respect for human rights and dignity. AAMR is a leader in public policy development at the national, state, and local levels, and provides inclusive community service and education and training support to service providers at all levels.”

Chicago Focus Group Session(Principles)

• Total Espousal of the Rights and Dignity of People with Developmental Disabilities

• Primary Focus of All Services on People with Developmental Disabilities

• Training Must Reflect Best Professional Practices• Support the Provision of Professional Services Based on

Choices of Individuals/Families• Actively Promote Public Policy Debate Forums• Uniqueness of State/Province Influences on People &

Services

D.C. Focus Group Session(Principles)

• Fully Participatory• Promotes Research & Training Quality/Excellence• Promotes Research & Practice in Prevention,

Treatment & Support of Mental Retardation• Identifies, Promotes, and Advocates Universal

Application of Best Practices• Identifies, Influences Public Policy and Legislation

That Promotes Quality of Life of Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Chicago Focus Group Session(Goals)

• Maintain, Increase Quantity/Diversity of Membership

• Increase Effectiveness & Relevance of Training• Increase Consumer/Family Participation• Expand & Unify Advocacy Efforts• Reduce Developmental Disabilities Incidents

Through Prevention Strategies

Chicago Focus Group Session(Strategic Objectives)

Maintain, Increase Quantity/Diversity of Membership

• Develop Incentives for Membership• Develop Student Chapters• Develop & Implement Advertising Campaign

Chicago Focus Group Session(Strategic Objectives)

Increase Effectiveness & Relevance of Training

• Local Chapters Develop Plans in Accordance with AAMR National Principles

• Change Rebate from $5 to $10 per Member

Chicago Focus Group Session(Strategic Objectives)

Increase Consumer & Family Participation

• Develop Process to Increase Involvement• Recruit & Retain Parents, Consumers & Families

Chicago Focus Group Session(Strategic Objectives)

Expand & Unify Advocacy Efforts

• Establish Direct Liaisons with Other Organizations Involved in Advocacy

• Create Specific Vehicles for Collaboration Around Public Policy Issues

Chicago Focus Group Session(Strategic Objectives)

Reduce Incidents Through Prevention Strategies

• Identify One Preventable Cause & Initiate National Campaign

• Public Education and Awareness Campaign on Key Prevention Strategies

D.C. Focus Group Session(Goals)

• Develop Government Relations Entity at State & Local Levels

• Increase & Diversify Membership• Develop/Disseminate Standards & Best Practices• Recruit & Develop Human Resources• Positively Influence Awareness & Public

Attitudes

D.C. Focus Group Session(Strategic Objectives)

Develop Government Relations Entity at State & Local Levels

• Establish Networking Partnerships with Government Organizations

• Establish Positions on Policy Issues• Develop Partnerships with Private Organizations• Provide Public Awareness Support• Maximize Use of Technology in Dissemination of

Information

D.C. Focus Group Session(Strategic Objectives)

Increase & Diversify Membership• Develop Marketing Strategies to Diversify

Demographics• Develop Dual Membership & Partnering with

Organizations• Re-evaluate Organizational & Dues’ Structure• Develop Alternative Sources of Income

D.C. Focus Group Session(Strategic Objectives)

Develop/Disseminate Standards & Best Practices

• Develop Standards & Best Practices• Develop & Implement Dissemination Vehicles• Develop Collaborative Programs• Develop Financial Incentives for Best Practices• Encourage Legislation, Promote Quality Services

Through Accreditation of Programs• Work with Colleges in Curriculum Development

D.C. Focus Group Session(Strategic Objectives)

Recruit & Develop Human Resources• Develop Government Financial

Supports/Incentives for People Entering the Field• Network with Colleges to Recruit Talented

Students• Develop Mentorship Programs• Develop Internship Programs• Develop Long-Distance Learning Programs

D.C. Focus Group Session(Strategic Objective)

Positively Influence Awareness & Public Attitudes

• Develop Public Service Announcement Campaigns

• Develop Education/Training workshops for Journalists/Lawyers

• Develop Continuing Education Units for Professionals Promoting Awareness

Opinion-Leader/Conference Call(Questions)

• “ … Is There Value in AAMR Serving a Diverse Mix of Professionals and Stakeholders (“Jack of All Trades”) or Should AAMR Focus on Serving Only a Few Key Segments Very Well.”

• “Does AAMR’s Organizational Structure Help or Hinder AAMR’s Ability to Serve the Profession and Achieve Organizational Objectives, and Why?”

Opinion-Leader/Conference Call(Questions - Cont.)

• “How Can AAMR Uniquely Position Itself to Help the Profession Deal with its Biggest Challenges/Threats Over the Next Five Years?”

• “The Survey Identified Mixed Support for the Development of a Certification Program in Mental Retardation. What Are the Pros and Cons of Developing Such a Certification and Who Would be the Primary Target Audience?”

Opinion-Leader Interviews(Questions - Cont.)

• “ … What Does AAMR Do Best and What Do Other organizations Do Best, and in What Sort of Ways Should AAMR Align with Other Organizations?”

Opinion-Leader Interviews(Analysis)

• Value in Serving a Diverse Mix of Professionals; Two Concepts Are Not Mutually Exclusive.

• No Consensus Reached Regarding AAMR’s Structure.

• A Variety of Threats/Challenges Were Offered• Certification Program Seen as Action of

“Questionable Usefulness”.• Encouraged Strategic Alliances - No Merger

Conference Call(Analysis)

• AAMR Considered as an “Across the Board” Association

• AAMR Weak at the Regional/State Level; Restructuring Required

• Member Retention Program Required; Emphasis on Training

• “Mixed Feelings” Regarding Certification Program• Encouraged Strategic Alliances - No Merger

Key Issues

• Professional Organization, or Open to Everyone?• Do Divisions Serve Purpose?• How Can Regions/States Function Better?• Do All Activities Truly Support Mission?• How to Enhance Membership?• How to Address the Needs of Direct Care Providers?• What Are the Directions for AAMR’s Strategic

Alliances?• How Can AAMR Use Technology?