Financials Approved
The Board received financial statements for the current period and also accepted ACHE’s and the Foundation of ACHE’s 2019 financial audit and report to the Audit Committee. The auditors issued an unmodified opinion regarding ACHE’s and the Foundation of ACHE’s financial position.
The Board reviewed the 2020 budget forecast, and while ACHE will experience a deficit this year, we have the benefit of strong financial stewardship and reserves that will allow us to respond and re-imagine how we deliver relevancy to members in today’s climate.
2021 Budget Discussion
The Board reviewed plans related to the 2021 budget. Highlights include some of the 2021 investments that may be necessary, including a virtual conferencing platform, to support the evolution of our digital infrastructure and how we deliver programs and services to members.
2021 Suggested Membership Strategies
The Board reviewed possible solutions to challenges and opportunities in the following areas:
- Prioritize value to members. Package offerings to attract new Fellows and those interested in advancing in their careers.
- Preserve the FACHE® credential. The Board continued a discussion on the requirements to examine and better differentiate those competencies that drive leadership capability (such as knowledge, experience, a commitment to lifelong learning, professional references and civic and community participation) versus other requirements such as membership tenure within ACHE, which by itself, may not be perceived by some as core to leadership capability.
- Leverage diversity and inclusion opportunities. Offer memberships to the Asian Healthcare Leaders Forum, Healthcare Consultants Forum, LGBTQ Forum, and Physician Executives Forum at no additional cost to add value to membership.
The goal of this approach is to further support our diversity and inclusion efforts and expand opportunities for diverse segments to access ACHE community resources.
Other partnerships will be explored with others representing diverse groups such as the National Association of Health Services Executives, and the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives.
Progress Reported on Strategic Plan
The Board reviewed progress related to the Strategic Plan priorities detailed below.
ACHE Learn
The vision for ACHE Learn is to be a best-in-class resource for the professional development of executives. The Board reviewed ACHE Learn’s progress, which included:
- Virtual conferencing.
- Congress 2021 considerations and options.
- Virtual face-to-face update.
Innovate the Digital Experience
ACHE envisions a scalable and evolving mobile-first digital experience delivering the right content, to the right member, at the right time.
The Board reviewed ACHE’s digital progress so far in 2020. This includes nearly 3 million page views on ache.org, as well as metrics for social media and other digital platforms.
Foster Engagement
The vision is that relevant, tailored ACHE resources will drive growth in participation at all levels nationally and locally.
The Board will hear the final results of the career accelerator pilots, completed earlier this year, at its next meeting.
An update will also be provided on the Digital Mentoring Network, enhancing mentoring resources, which is expected to launch later this fall.
Fifty-one early careerists have volunteered, 44 have completed their adviser session and 40 completed their second adviser session.
Advisers said the following:
- Early careerists need help with networking.
- Early careerists need help with identifying marketable jobs.
- All said they need assistance with:
- Overcoming their lack of experience.
- Being exposed to career development activities.
- Dealing with location/geographic limitations.
Advisers recommended early careerists take advantage of ACHE’s many career resource offerings.
ACHE, in turn, plans to address scalability, launching a Digital Mentoring Network platform in October 2020, highlight career resources as an essential component of current programs, products and services, and accelerate marketing efforts to promote the Career Resource Center as a member benefit.
Strengthen Chapters
For this strategic priority, ACHE envisions optimizing the member experience across the chapter network. The Board re-affirmed its commitment to chapters and the importance of strengthening the ACHE-chapter partnership to ensure members remain engaged in ACHE and chapter activities.
Strategic Planning Discussion
The Board participated in discussions with ACHE’s new strategic planning consultant, Paul D. Meyer, president and co-CEO, Tecker International LLC.
Meyer and the Board discussed the Strategic Plan, sharing perspectives on enhancements to ACHE’s vision, mission and core values.
Further discussions focused specifically on opportunities to advance our diversity and inclusion efforts, including better communicating the depth and breadth of what we currently do in this arena. The plan will be updated next year.
More discussions and feedback from members will be pursued throughout the year to inform the evolution of ACHE’s Strategy Map and priorities. Please visit ache.org/Strategy.
Next Meeting Planned
The Board of Governors is scheduled to meet Nov. 16–17. Highlights of that meeting will be published in a future issue of Healthcare Executive.