President’s Message

KIMBERLY RICH

2024 TASPA PRESIDENT

Reflections on TASPA’s Summer Conference and Insights from the AASPA State Leaders Retreat

Dear TASPA Community,

As your 2024 TASPA Board President, I am thrilled to share highlights from our recent Summer Conference held in the vibrant city of Fort Worth. The warmth and hospitality we experienced from our new location were exceptional, with outstanding accommodations, a convenient location, and a variety of activities that truly enhanced our event. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this conference’s success.

The Summer Conference was packed with invaluable sessions led by our esteemed law partners and HR leaders across the state. Their expertise and insights were instrumental in providing us with the latest updates and best practices in the field of human resources.

If you missed the Summer Conference, fear not! Our Winter Conference promises to be just as enriching, with a lineup of sessions designed to address our profession’s current challenges and opportunities. Mark your calendars and register early to secure your spot for what promises to be another unforgettable event.

On a more serious note, I was privileged to attend the AASPA State Leaders Retreat 2024 in Lenexa, Kansas, along with Kathy Cervantez, our Director of Communications and Professional Development. The retreat was eye-opening and offered a wealth of information that we are eager to implement within TASPA to enhance our organization and elevate our involvement at the national level.

The retreat began with an introduction to the fundamentals of strategic planning, membership engagement, and organizational performance. We delved into the mission and vision activities, which were particularly enlightening. For instance, we explored the differences between mission and vision statements, focusing on how each defines our organization’s present activities and future aspirations. This exercise underscored the importance of clear, cohesive messaging in articulating our goals and values.

One of the key takeaways from the retreat was the emphasis on strategic planning as an iterative process. We learned the importance of narrowing our focus to the “vital few” strategic priorities that would most impact our stakeholders. This approach ensures that our resources are optimally allocated and our initiatives are wellcoordinated.

We also discussed enhancing membership value through new benefits and increased engagement. Strategies included surveying members, offering more opportunities to get involved, and creating members-only forums. The goal is to ensure that TASPA remains relevant and valuable to all our members by providing tailored benefits that meet their needs.

Another significant focus was on optimizing organizational performance. This involves evaluating our professional development offerings, streamlining our internal processes, and expanding our social media presence to foster greater community and member engagement. By doing so, we aim to ensure our organization’s long-term sustainability and growth.

The retreat highlighted the importance of national involvement for state organizations like TASPA. It is crucial that we increase our participation in AASPA’s national advocacy program, form partnerships with other state organizations, and expand our communication on educational policy initiatives. By doing so, we can ensure that our members have the resources and opportunities to effectively influence and advocate for public policy.

In conclusion, the insights gained from the AASPA State Leaders Retreat will undoubtedly enhance our efforts within TASPA. I am excited about the future and the positive changes we will implement to serve our members better and contribute to the broader educational community.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to TASPA. I look forward to seeing many of you at our Winter Conference and working together to achieve our shared goals.

Warm regards,

Kimberly Rich

Kimberly Rich is the 2024 TASPA President. She is the Executive Director for Human Resources in Dickinson ISD.