Leadership | 10.28.24
Introducing the NAMSS Tomorrow’s Leaders Program
By Julie Hatley, BS, CPMSM, CPCS, FMSP
NAMSS has been successful over the past 40+ years due in large part to its volunteer leaders; the MSPs who selflessly volunteer their time and knowledge ensure the continued success of NAMSS and help drive the organization and the profession into the future. In recognition of the important role of governance in ensuring NAMSS’ longevity, one of the objectives in the new NAMSS Strategic Plan is to "Strengthen our governance practices and invest in leadership development for our members." In the spirit of leadership development, I’m very excited to share this update.
In the fall of 2023, the NAMSS Board of Directors formed the Succession Planning Task Force, which was charged with reviewing current practices around recruiting and vetting new volunteer leaders, providing leadership development training and opportunities, and ensuring a consistent pipeline of future volunteer leaders. It was my pleasure to lead that task force and work with several other highly dedicated and forward thinking MSPs. Following review of association best practices and understanding the unique needs of NAMSS, we made multiple recommendations, all of which were approved by the Board of Directors. The following changes were implemented for the call for board nominations for 2024:
- The Leadership Development Work Group Chair will serve as an ex-officio member of the Leadership Selection Committee to allow for more visibility into the Leadership Selection Committee’s decision-making process and provide a mechanism to better provide feedback to Board candidates who are not selected for the slate. The Leadership Development Work Group Chair will not participate in interviews or have a vote in slate development.
- Peer references will provide a written reference assessment form and will no longer be interviewed. The reference assessment forms will be included as part of the candidate’s nomination packet and will be used by the Leadership Selection Committee in the candidate vetting process.
- Candidates’ supervisors will also be asked to complete a reference form but will only be interviewed if the Leadership Selection Committee feels the candidate should move forward in the process.
The task force also recommended, and the NAMSS Board approved, NAMSS moving to a selection process for the Secretary-Treasurer position. This is based on association best practices, but also because the Secretary-Treasurer eventually becomes NAMSS President. The task force felt it important that the Board be able to identify needed competencies, connections, and knowledge areas and appoint the right person with the right skills. An election process will continue for the position(s) of Director at Large. The NAMSS officers will explain more about this proposal and the reasons behind it at the Town Hall Webinar being held on Monday, Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. EST.
In addition to the review of the election/selection process, the Board asked the Succession Planning Task Force to develop a leadership development curriculum. We’ve spent the past nine months developing that, and we are so proud to announce the NAMSS Tomorrow’s Leaders Program.
NAMSS Tomorrow’s Leaders
The NAMSS Tomorrow’s Leaders Program is designed to support individuals who are interested in growing their leadership skills to help elevate the profession and to build the next generation of leaders for NAMSS. The target audience for this program is individuals who have demonstrated experience in volunteering with NAMSS, demonstrated commitment to the growth and succession of the association, and who have an interest in continuing and advancing their NAMSS volunteer experience. The program will consist of a combination of recorded modules and live, interactive virtual sessions led by NAMSS past presidents.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be an active NAMSS member in good standing.
- Must have at least one year of volunteer experience on a NAMSS Committee or a State Association Board.
- Must attend NAMSS 49th Annual Conference & Exhibition, Sept. 28–Oct. 1, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. NAMSS will provide complimentary registration and one night hotel stay.
Application Process:
- Interested participants must submit an online self-nomination form to provide the following information:
- NAMSS volunteer experience
- Professional experience
- Personal statement to discuss why they want to volunteer with NAMSS and how they wish to grow their NAMSS career
- One letter of support from an existing organizational leader with valuable knowledge of the applicant, who can highlight the applicant's aptitude towards leadership potential based on existing merits, skills, values, and other professional qualities, as well as support their active participation in the program
Participant Expectations:
- Participants will be expected to complete all online modules prior to the start of the virtual sessions.
- Participants will be expected to attend and fully participate in all virtual sessions.
- Participants will be expected to complete all homework or reading assignments between sessions.
- Participants will be expected to attend the NAMSS Educational Conference & Exhibition for the final in person session.
- Participants will receive one-night hotel stay and free registration for the 49th Educational Conference & Exhibition, taking place Sept. 29–Oct. 2 in Portland, Oregon.
- Participants will be expected to pay for their own travel to attend the final in-person session.
- Participants will be required to remain engaged with NAMSS after the completion of the program by volunteering on a NAMSS committee, writing an article for Gateway, participating in a NAMSS webinar, or participating in another NAMSS program.
- Participants will be provided with a volunteer mentor to help them identify how best to remain engaged with NAMSS.
2025 Program Timeline (subject to change):
- Self-Nomination Period Open: Jan. 6–Feb. 7, 2025
- Applicants notified of committee’s decision: Early March 2025
- Participants complete online modules (4): Late March through end of April 2025
- Participations participate in LIVE virtual sessions (5): May-September 2025
- In-person session at NAMSS Educational Conference & Exhibition on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025
- In-person session will include a capstone presentation, Q&A panel with NAMSS leaders, and networking opportunities with the NAMSS Board and NAMSS Committee Chairs.
Program Outline:
- Leadership Certificate Program Online Modules
- Project Management and Leadership
- Financial Leadership and Decision Making
- Becoming an Effective Negotiator
- Leading a Team – Concepts for Success
- Live, interactive virtual sessions led by NAMSS Past Presidents
- NAMSS Overview & Governance Essentials
- Who You Are
- What You Do (and how you do it)
- What You Inspire
- What You Enable
- Live, interactive in-person session at the 49th Annual Conference & Exhibition in Portland, Oregon
The 2025 Tomorrow’s Leaders program will be a pilot to test the concepts, and we’ll seek attendee feedback for updates to the program for 2026 and beyond. There is no cost to participate, and we’ll accept up to 10 students in 2025. If you’re a current or former committee member or state leader, this program is an excellent opportunity to advance your NAMSS career as well as build new skills and a new network of MSP connections. Please consider applying when the application opens in January 2025.
I want to thank the members of the task force for their hard work and contributions to this significant moment for NAMSS.
- Karen Claxton, MBA, CPCS, CPMSM, FMSP
- Kate Conklin, MS, CHC, CPHQ, CPMSM, CPCS
- James Frieberg, MBA, CPMSM, CPCS
- Renata McConico Demons, BS, MHRM, CPCS, CPMSM, FMSP
- Gina Mortensen, BS, CPMSM, CPCS, RHIT, FMSP
- Kevin E. O'Connor, CSP, CEC
- Yvette Scott, CPMSM, CPCS
- Linda Waldorf, MA, CPMSM, CPCS, FMSP
If you have any questions about the program or if you’d like to be added to the list to receive information when the application window opens, please contact us: info@namss.org or (202) 367-1196.
Julie Hatley, BS, CPMSM, CPCS, FMSP