History - 1995

MMGMA embarked on a strategic planning process that set the stage for a progressive and productive association for its members.  We surveyed members, exhibitors, and sponsors to determine how we should develop the framework for our new mission, vision and goals.  As I reread these some 7 years later, it strikes me that MMGMA was and continues to meet the needs of patients first by improving the care they receive, provide a forum for continuing education and networking to improve our skill sets, and make sure that MMGMA has a market presence.

Bonnie Porte completed the task of revising our bylaws, which incorporated a lot of the new MMGMA mission.  This was a task that remained on the to do list too long.
 

We met the association's goals of operating two profitable meetings and improving our financial reserves to approximately $150,000.  The purpose of financial accountability was not to accumulate wealth but to be able to withstand any potential down year that MMGMA may encounter.  Clearly, the board assumes risk every year by planning its educational meetings and we needed to be able to cover some of those fixed costs with the reserves.

Our relationship with the exhibitors and sponsors remained very strong.  The connection and rapport members have with these folks have been invaluable.  These people help us do our job better in their own way.  The number of exhibitors at our two meetings remained strong (79 and 40) but not at the record levels we had a few years earlier (90 and 45).

The most rewarding experience that I encountered while being a member of MMGMA and serving on the Board was the networking and rapport that existed within the membership.  This cannot be replicated nor do I think it exists in any other state.  Certainly it does not exist in my current situation.  This always existed regardless of the competition, state of the economy, size of clinic, rural vs. urban, etc.

A challenge we debated was whether we should have any paid staff.  Volunteerism certainly cannot be forgotten as an asset for MMGMA.  Members have full workloads both at the office and at home but yet are willing to help the association.  I believe this exists because people care about people.  Keep this up!
  

The board also debated, reviewed, and assessed whether the organization should venture with MMA or MGMA in a variety of ways.  We explored the potentials but decided to remain relatively independent.  The potentials all had to meet the acid test of our mission, vision, and goals.

The biggest challenge I believe we faced was on the legislative front.  How can MMGMA have more influence in the legislative process?  How much should we spend organizationally for governmental affairs?  We were able to strike a nice balance and certainly had very able leadership from Ric Davenport.

On the lighter side, MMGMA was able to regain the volleyball title at the Midwest meeting in Lincolnshire, Illinois.  Also, Bud Olson put together an excellent "MMGMA golf tour".

I will always be indebted to the MMGMA, which enabled me to learn, grow, and achieve professionally.  May the mission and vision continue!  Bill Brouwer