Member Input Moves NASAA Forward

As I write, I’m marking the last week of June—one of the most wonderful times of year at NASAA! As the Nominating Committee completes approximately 100 summer interviews with member executive directors, deputy directors and council chairs, I look forward to diving into what is currently on the minds of state and jurisdictional arts agency (SAA) leaders. Each year, Nominating Committee members connect to SAA leaders to explore how the current environment is impacting their agencies and how they’re navigating the work. The interviews also seek opinions about NASAA’s work on behalf of members as well as recommendations for board and committee leadership.

I’m always excited to receive the compilation of these interviews. In a very real sense, the input helps us plot our paths forward. The Planning & Budget Committee will use the results to develop NASAA’s action plan for the next two years. The Nominating Committee will use the results to nominate new leaders to our board of directors. At the staff level, we’ll use the data to inform programs and services that are relevant to and gainful for our members. The interviews often guide changes to programs, keeping our services meaningful and timely. In its governance role, the board of directors will use the data to ensure our organization’s plans are developed in response to member needs. In full-circle moments, members always approve our action and strategic plans, authorizing the work ahead in service to all states and jurisdictions. In effect, our planning cycles begin with SAA input and end with SAA approvals. It’s an important model for a member service organization that stays responsive to members.

Although summer leadership interviews are always critical for NASAA planning, this isn’t the only time of year we listen for and appreciate member feedback. At the staff level, we’re always listening and adding what we hear into the hopper. When members call or write about specific issues, we’re literally taking note. In fact, we often share what we hear each week during the “member moments” segment of our staff meetings. What we hear from you consistently informs the work we do. Your board of directors is also listening. At each board meeting, a member is invited to share their work, challenges and opportunities. These segments keep the board connected to members who are not currently represented on the board. This important segment of our board meetings is the brainchild of Board Chair Donna Collins, and I’m grateful it’s a part of our practice.

Please remember that your peer groupsM also offer a good mechanism for providing feedback throughout each year. Each peer group is staffed by at least one NASAA team member, so your feedback can easily be captured there, too.

As the summer progresses, NASAA’s committees, staff and board will rock forward well equipped with fresh member input. Thanks in advance for all the important work that will be undertaken by the Planning & Budget, Nominating, Governance, Development and Executive committees this summer, as well as the NASAA board. It’s a real privilege to work with such highly engaged teams across our association’s portfolio. A high level of member engagement is mission critical to strengthening state arts agencies, so it’s important that we participate in the work together.

Special thanks goes out to the NASAA team for so ably staffing vital committee and board functions. It takes the entire team to make all the magic happen, and we’re fortunate to be able to count on our talented and hardworking staff at NASAA.

Onward! I hope your summer is filled with a healthy blend of productivity and the rest and relaxation I know the entire NASAA family deserves.

M = member-only resource