6 · NAMI MISSISSIPPI
NAMI MS 2021-2025 Strategic Plan by Mary Harrington, Board President
I
am excited to share with our readers highlights of the newlydeveloped NAMI-MS Strategic Plan for 2021-2025. Board members devoted many long hours to develop this plan, which will serve as a framework for our activities over the next five years. The process began with a clarification of our mission, vision, and goals, which are closely aligned with those of NAMI National. Mission: NAMI Mississippi provides support, advocacy, education, and public awareness so that individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. Vision: NAMI Mississippi envisions a world where people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares. Values: NAMI Mississippi’s values include: • Hope: We believe in the possibility of recovery, wellness, and the potential in all of us. • Inclusion: We embrace diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. • Empowerment: We promote confidence, self-efficacy, and service to our mission. • Compassion: We practice respect,
kindness, and empathy. • Fairness: We fight for equity and justice. With those principles firmly in mind, the Board proceeded to develop overarching goals aimed at fulfilling our mission. Once those goals were identified, strategies were developed to achieve the goals. As a further refinement, specific, measurable objectives were identified that would accomplish each strategy. These objectives were then assigned to a Board committee, along with a timeline for reaching them. An overview of these goals, strategies, and objectives can be found on page 7 of this newsletter. For example, one of our six overall goals is to achieve financial stability. Seven strategies were identified to reach this goal, one of which was to maximize conference income. Six objectives were developed that would specifically maximize conference income, including a focus on increasing continuing education presentations, revisiting the conference fee structure, and identifying ways to increase publicity for the conference. I’m thrilled to announce that under Mavis Creagh’s dynamic leadership, the Conference Committee has already accomplished several of these
objectives and are diligently working on others. This kind of clarity regarding what specific activities committees should focus on has already impacted the effectiveness or our organization. Tasks are getting accomplished; committees are being held accountable; measurable progress is being made. In short, the plan is working! The complete Strategic Plan may be found at bit.ly/nmsp21. I want to thank each and every Board member for all the tremendous energy, creativity, and thoughtfulness they devoted to this important project. I especially want to thank Shan Abbott of Coastal MS and Megan Hamm of Four Rivers for their leadership, as well as Sitaniel Wimbley who was invaluable in this process. I am confident that this new Strategic Plan will provide clarity, direction, and focus for our NAMI MS organization. Together we can – and will – accomplish great things! With great expectations!
Mary Harrington NAMI-MS Board President
Board members devoted many long hours to develop this plan, which will serve as a framework for our activities over the next five years. The process began with a clarification of our mission, vision, and goals, which are closely aligned with those of NAMI National.
