Southern Regional Development Conference a Success

Excitement was in the air even though the temperatures outside were quite frigid on January 25th as participants gathered for the first Southern Regional Alliance Development Conference in Huntsville, Ala.  Thirteen states were represented with a total of over 80 Alliance members and their spouses participating for this inaugural event. Old friendships were rekindled with past state and national leaders while young county members discovered the value of participating beyond their communities and meeting new excited leaders.

The Southern Regional Alliance Development Conference was developed from a recommendation from the AMAA Strategic Advancement Advisory Committee to enhance member's opportunity to interact regionally with fellow members and to learn how to better serve their community. 

Melissa Walthers, AMAA Screen Out! Coordinator, began the programming by conducting a very stimulating three hour presentation that engaged members to submit letters to their local newspaper editors educating them about Screen Out!, to develop a plan to gather endorsements from other local organizations and encouraging each participant to collect signatures from local Alliance meetings and other gatherings such as health fairs. Each participant left feeling empowered, realizing how easy it was going to be to participate and make a difference in their communities.

Patti Walden, professional marketing consultant and past member of the AMAA Integrated Marketing Communications Committee presented "How to Cultivate a Healthy Local Alliance," showing members how to market concepts to assess the health of their county Alliance, ways to segment their current and potential members for growth, tools to review their current programs and how to align programs with their members needs.  Patti also expressed the need to know the resources and local image required to reach your goals.

Friday evening was filled with fun, excitement and laughter as participants were given the opportunity to network at leadership table's led by AMAA leaders.  Karen Morris, AMAF Committee Member, created an interactive challenge for each table to "Name That Tune."  County leaders won with the most points and enthusiasm.  The highlight of the evening was a guest appearance of Tupelo, Mississippi's favorite son, none other than Elvis Presley, aka Dr. Christopher Frost, singing his favorite tunes!  Members were delighted and produced a flurry of photographs and "Ahhhh's!"

Saturday morning began with a panel discussion lead by national and state leaders, Karen Morris, John Lovin, Elaine Hale, Sharon Moffatt, Debbie Trainer and Kathy Murray, highlighting different segments needed to create a healthy Alliance.  This was followed by round tables for further discussion led by AMAA leaders Nancy Kyler, Emma Borders, Marilyn Kezirian, Sandi Frost, Laura Reynolds and Nita Maddox. 

Sandi Frost, AMAA President-elect, stimulated everyone with a "Chicago Update" with highlights and additional information from AMAA Secretary, Nancy Kyler.  A box lunch followed with state meetings and the opportunity for members to meet personally with AMAA leaders with individual questions.

Comments from member's surveys summed up the value members received by coming to this meeting:

       "Liked the smaller group and got more in-depth and very useful tools from the
       workshop format.  Seeing old friends, making new ones.  Connecting with other
       state Presidents.  Concrete ideas and plans." -Miriam McEver.

       "Having this nearby was great! It is much more convenient for my family and
       me." -Angie Denton

       "Great to meet so many talented people." -Eloise Alexander

       "I have a better understanding of Screen Out! and the importance of it.  Patti's
       workshop really gave me a different perspective and opportunity to focus on
       what we can do to improve our Alliance locally.  Everything was useful
       information."  -Sabrina Cox

We also gave participates a chance to express what they liked least about the meeting and Sandra Garvey summed things up the best, "When Elvis left the building!"

The first Southern Regional meeting was educational, engaging, fun and overall a most successful event that we hope to continue to offer to our membership each year. 

Click here for a photo album of conference pictures submitted by members that attended... 

Nita Maddox and Laura Reynolds, co-coordinators for the Southern Regional Development Conference, were contributors to this article recap.