by Chris Allman, JD, CPHRM, DFASHRM
March is always a tough month in the Midwest. You’ve perhaps heard it said that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” Nowhere is that truer than in the Midwest. As I write this, I’ve just finished four college tours at midwestern colleges in four days with my high school aged kids in near subzero weather, which is clearly the “lion” part. Which just makes me appreciate much more the “lamb” part, which, although it’s not in the Midwest, I’m considering our fantastic week learning and networking at the ASHRM Academy in beautiful Orlando, Florida. I’m always so inspired by our faculty and ASHRM staff at the ASHRM events because of the tireless work they do to put on quality, timely programming for risk professionals. I’m also always amazed at the breadth of knowledge we have in our attendees at our events, and I always find myself to be refreshed when I get a few days to spend learning from them and talking with them to find out more about who they are and where they come from, both personally and professionally.
This year, I am especially energized, because in my conversations with these risk professionals, and many others, I was able to begin discussing the 2025-2027 ASHRM Strategic Plan with the membership. My conversations with ASHRM members really solidified my belief that this new strategic plan will really strengthen ASHRM members and ASHRM as an organization well beyond 2027, and I am equally thrilled to be able to preview the 2025-2027 ASHRM Strategic Plan for you here.
The strategic plan has the overarching goal of supporting the core purpose and mission statement of ASHRM, which can be found on the ASHRM website. Neither of those were changed during the strategic planning process, because we believe the core purpose and mission statement are still accurate and worthy of our organization.
However, what has changed are the goals that support the strategic plan. Without getting too far into the weeds, the three main goals of the new strategic plan are a refinement of the previous strategic plan, with the hindsight that the world of health care has changed dramatically since the drafting of the previous plan, and ASHRM needs to change along with it.
Two of the goals of the plan support the third goal. These are the member-focused goals that focus on what ASHRM can provide for our membership. The two goals that feed into the third goal are:
- Create and Deliver Timely Insights, and
- Increase Member Value
Supporting the goal of Creating and Delivering Timely Insights are objectives such as generating timely content on key topics of interest by cultivating relationships with external industry partners and thought leaders; strengthening our collaboration with AHA on critical issues important to ASHRM, its members, and stakeholders; and optimizing ASHRM’s communication channels to deliver timely information to members.
Supporting the goal of Increasing Member Value are objectives such as facilitating a welcoming environment that fosters a sense of belonging for members, creating structured pathways for members to advance their skills from novice to expert, and expanding resources to address the priorities of risk professionals across the spectrum of health care.
We believe if we achieve the first two goals, it will feed into the third, organization-focused goal: Drive Greater Global Recognition.
The objectives that support this goal are: to actively seek opportunities to increase ASHRM’s presence in the global risk management market and to amplify international engagement in ASHRM’s products and services.
There is much more to come on each of these goals and objectives, but, hopefully, you can start to see why I am excited about the direction ASHRM is taking for the future.
Speaking of the future, hopefully you are thinking about ASHRM’s future opportunities to advance your career. ASHRM Express will be held in Chicago, July 14-19, 2025, and will offer all three HRM modules, the Patient Safety Certificate Program and the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Certificate Program. And, of course, it is never too early to mention the 2025 ASHRM Annual Conference, September 28-30 in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina. Registration for ASHRM Express is open, so take advantage of the Early Bird Registration! Registration for the 2025 ASHRM Annual Conference will be opening soon. Also, continue to check the ASHRM website for exciting and informative upcoming webinars to assist you in your professional development and where you can earn CEUs.
Hopefully, ASHRM and all of these opportunities will help your career go from “lion” to “lamb.”