Program Leadership Connect at Together We Can! Growth Strategy Meeting
Earlier this year, Texas CASA brought together local program executive directors and board presidents for an important discussion on the state of the Texas child protection system and the challenges CASA programs are facing. Together We Can! was the first meeting of its kind where executive directors and board chairs brainstormed strategies to break through barriers to achieve our goal – providing a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one.
The meeting kicked off with welcome remarks from Texas CASA CEO Vicki Spriggs and Board President Melissa Jones. Driving home the importance of partnership, we also heard from Café Momentum Executive Director Margaret Reid Windham and one of the program’s youth ambassadors before being turned over to our facilitator for the meeting, Brad Ray. Brad has held leadership roles at National CASA/GAL Association in training, resource development, marketing, performance management and program development. Prior to that he served as the founder and CEO of the Southwest Georgia Children’s Alliance, Inc. – a nonprofit umbrella organization providing 17 rural counties with CASA best-interest advocacy, a children’s advocacy center, truancy intervention program, children in need of services program and domestic violence program. A transplant from Florida, his diverse professional background includes: a capital bureau legislative reporter; an owner of a public relations and advertising firm; a co-owner of college newspapers, and a political consultant. He’s also volunteered for or served on the boards of many notable organizations and is a 2007 recipient of The President’s Call to Service Award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the White House for volunteer service.
In small table discussions, Brad led attendees through a series of thought-provoking questions to help the network identify risks, fears around change, opportunities for growth and new creative ways we can, together, overcome these barriers. Many positive engaging conversations generated exciting new ideas that can be explored on the local and state levels.
A special thank you goes to Café Momentum for hosting us and providing the perfect atmosphere to generate creativity. Café Momentum educates, hires and trains justice-involved youth, some of which include youth in foster care. They graciously allowed us to host this event at their café and shared their culinary talents during lunch. Additionally, Texas CASA’s new marketing partner Proof Advertising was in attendance to better understand the challenges and strengths within the network. Proof also gave a brief update on the exciting new plans to reenergize our statewide recruitment efforts.
Texas CASA is reviewing all of the notes from the meeting and discussing next steps to continue to build on this momentum. We will continue to meet, discuss, and work as a network to leverage our strengths to meet the needs of children and families in Texas. With 53 programs represented from across the state, the meeting was a true success! Thank you to everyone who joined us and the time, energy, enthusiasm and thoughts you contributed.
