Lead with Purpose: Strategic Planning and Board Dynamics

Attendees will:

• Consider steps to create a comprehensive onboarding plan for a board of directors to include pre-appointment preparation, formal orientation, and ongoing integration activities.
• Identify communication strategies throughout the onboarding process and selection of materials, processes, and responsibilities of board members.
• Review the benefits and challenges of an online, virtual, or in person onboarding meeting
• Understand strategic planning fundamentals, core concepts, models, and importance of strategic planning to an organizational success.
• Create frameworks for tracking progress, identifying key performance indicators, coordination, and establishing accountability mechanisms
• learn to build message maps that help them stay on message, anticipate audience questions and communicate effectively across platforms—from media interviews to board presentations and social media posts.
• explore an array of communications tools and templates to keep your strategic plan at the forefront of your association's work and decision-making.

Interactive table discussions will foster peer learning and practical application on these topics:

• Creating and utilizing a message map.
• Strategic planning board engagement examples and practices.
• Member communications emphasizing strategic initiatives.
• Prepare a draft agenda for an onboarding session.
• Identify documents that will foster board member understanding of the organization and expectations of serving on the board.

About the Speakers

Fite joined MHA in 2024 following 12 years of service to The Missouri Bar, first as media relations director and then communications director, where she grew member engagement and public education programs. Before joining the bar world in 2012, she headed up communications for the Missouri Senate. She is a recovering journalist - who still loves to ask questions - having worked as a local TV reporter in Missouri and an associate producer at ABC News in Washington, D.C. She lives in #JCMO with her spouse @WagnerGus, Reeny the cat, #BinnieCorgi, and J.B. (her 86 years-young dad).

Rebecca Gordon

Rebecca Gordon is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 25 years of experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement. She previously served as the Executive Director of the Central and Northern Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross, where she led humanitarian efforts across a 27-county region. Throughout her career, Rebecca has held key leadership roles including Development Director, Executive Director, and Consultant. She has trained nationally on advocacy, board development, cause marketing, generational communication, and brand strategy.

Her approach to membership engagement is rooted in relationship-building, strategic communication, and delivering meaningful member experiences. She has successfully led initiatives to increase member satisfaction and retention, developed member-focused programs and events, and enhanced organizational visibility through innovative outreach and social media strategies.