McMahon’s Refresher Service Revives Strategic Planning for CMAA Local Chapters

The McMahon Group’s Strategic Planning Refresher service helps CMAA local chapters ensure that their strategies and programming are on target to provide maximum benefits and value for their memberships.

The new challenges presented by the post-pandemic period has created renewed interest in the Refresher service, with McMahon’s Chris Coulter and Kevin Carroll have conducted sessions for the Golden State, New England Wisconsin Badger, and Metropolitan Chapters. Additionally, in February of 2022 McMahon presented a session about the service at the CMAA World Conference in San Diego.

“Just as clubs themselves are now refocusing on how to keep their members engaged as we emerge from COVID, the CMAA chapters have identified the same need, to make sure they are serving their members with timely and relevant content and services,” says Coulter.

For the one-day Strategic Planning Refresher sessions, Coulter, Carroll and other McMahon consultants draw on their extensive career experience leading and participating in chapter activities themselves, as they work with chapter Boards and those involved with affiliated foundations to:

• Study the major issues affecting the chapter
• Identify and prioritize goals for chapter success
• Develop action plans and steps for their implementation

The Refresher process begins by having Board members complete a brief, online survey to help develop the primary objectives for the planning session and identify the major chapter issues needing resolution. A Refresher planning meeting is then moderated by McMahon principals, to facilitate a discussion of those issues and establish a plan for addressing and resolving them.

After the Refresher session, McMahon provides a summary report with specific strategic recommendations for how to prioritize and pursue the goals that have been established.

After a Strategic Planning Refresher was held recently with the Wisconsin Badger Chapter, Managing Director Kathy Collins provided these insights into the value and takeaways that the session provided:

“Chris Coulter and Kevin Carroll facilitated an interactive, productive and forward-looking discussion with our Chapter and Foundation Board of Directors. They conducted the discussion in an extremely positive manner, making sure everyone’s voice was heard. They assisted us in highlighting what we are doing well, while also identifying areas where we can grow, evolve and enhance the value of membership to our chapter members and corporate partners.

“Action items have been clearly identified and the path is paved to success,” Collins added. “We wrapped up this tremendous day identifying that our two Boards will come together more often to work this new plan together.”

For more details on Strategic Planning Refresher sessions and how one can be arranged for your CMAA chapter, contact Alison McMahon, Marketing Director, at amcmahon@mcmahongroup.com or 314-744-5040.