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Happy New Year! 2021 has set high expectations for a year with promise. After enduring all that was 2020, 2021 must be a better year. I am hopeful it will be outstanding! COVID vaccine distribution is certainly a strong indicator for a positive year. While no one can predict what is in store, I do have good insight into what will happen at CMAA this coming year. So, let me share what is on our CMAA action list from our Strategic Plan:

1. Top of mind for our CMAA Board and Staff is the active management of the CMAA National organization through the remainder of the COVID pandemic. Financially we stayed in the black in 2020, but with World Conference moving to a virtual platform, we expect 2021 to be a bit more of a challenging financial year for us, so careful oversight will be key.
2. CMAA National staff and select managing directors have been working with a company to develop an integrated CMAA membership application for both Chapters and National. Everyone wants a more straightforward process for prospective members to join the organization. This two-year project will reach completion in 2021.
3. We have been on a multi-year journey to overhaul CMAA.org. This process began with upgrading internal systems; a new association management software system; a review of all the information buried in the current website; and development of a taxonomy for the future. We will now issue an RFP in the spring focusing on launching a new CMAA website by the end of the year.
4. CMAA’s Diversity & Equity in Leadership Task Force was established in 2020 and 2021 efforts will include collecting diversity data, implementing opportunities for more inclusive professional interest, and increasing DEI awareness in the club management profession and governance.
5. Students continue to be an important focus for CMAA, and the pandemic was one more hurdle to overcome for students to know about – and increase their interest in – clubs. We will continue to leverage the tools on hand for more impactful connections between students and club managers, especially in the area of internship experiences. CMAA will also work toward a better awareness/understanding of clubs and club management by faculty.
6. The pandemic exposed us all to more online learning opportunities. In 2021, we will return to in-person learning, but continue to evaluate and implement more active learning methodologies for national events.
7. A new Strategic Plan for The Club Foundation was just approved. Our goal for 2021 will be to ensure the implementation of the Plan moves forward with purpose and pace.
8. CMAA continued our one-to-two-day Summits virtually in 2020. We will conduct and expand our Summit offerings in 2021 with in-person and virtual formats.
9. With more focus on club governance in 2021, we will continue to grow resources and education in this area.
10. Other areas we plan to focus on in 2021 include: offering more in career services; initiating a review of learning management systems (LMS); studying alternative dues models; continuing to grow sponsorship opportunities; and conducting an analysis on HQ building ownership in advance of considering a new mortgage in 2022.

This is a weighty list of goals for 2021, but our partnership of Board, staff, and volunteers working together will ensure we are successful. I truly believe 2021 will put the wind at our back with positivity and success being plentiful for all of us this coming year.