The Governing bodies of TPHA (Executive Board and Governing Council) Have been engaged in an ambitious project to update TPHA's Vision and Mission Statements and our Strategic Plan. Below is a summary of the work done to date and an invitation to YOU to give us your comments 

Through the support of APHA and our members, TPHA leadership is convening a strategic planning workshop to move our vision and mission to actions.   TPHA governing council is opening the workshop to the full membership.  The workshop is scheduled for February 12-13, 2009 at TBarM Resort in New Braunfels, Texas.  TPHA executive council has approved lodging (1 night) and meals (3 meals) for 50 attendees.  Transportation costs are not included.  This is an exciting opportunity for our organization.  If you want to make a difference and have two days to chart our future directions, please contact Terri Pail at txpha@aol.com or (512)336--2520 no later than December 1st. 

CURRENT:
Vision: The Texas Public Health Association envisions healthy Texans living in a safe environment. 
Mission: As a leader of public health action in Texas, the Texas Public Health Association:
* Educates and empowers people to adopt healthy lifestyles
* Develops and promotes policies and legislation
* Explores new insights and innovative solutions to health and environmental problems
* Fosters professionalism in a multi-disciplinary workforce
* Brings together all individuals and organizations with an interest in public health under one umbrella

DRAFT of UPDATED VERSION:
Vision: Safe and Healthy Texas
Mission: Improving the health and safety of Texas through leadership, education, training, collaboration, mentoring and advocacy.

We appreciate and value your input and invite you to provide input on the draft vision and mission by submitting your comments. Mail your comments to TPHA-VISION/MISSION, PO Box 201540, Austin, Texas 78720-1540 or email to txpha@aol.com.

 

NOTE: Due to time constraints, the group decided to reconvene to complete the plan. The following items will be completed at a later date: Goals; Objectives; Strategies; and Outcomes measures.  Below is a summary of the SWOT Analysis. The meeting was facilitated by Mike Messinger of MGM Consulting.

Strengths
* Diversity of backgrounds and professions committed to growth
* Loyal, dedicated and smart members
* Schools of public health
* Ability to hold or co-host trainings and meetings
* Provided continuing education
* Good name recognition
* More proficient at communicating messages to the Legislature
* Advocacy efforts improved
* Very good peer review journal
* Good website
* Recognized as a strong state affiliate of the American Public Health Association (APHA)
* Seasoned Executive Director

Weaknesses
* No written operations manual
* Need more awareness of the TPHA
* Many members unable to pay $50.00 for membership
* Need more support at the state and local level
* Need a strategy to increase membership and show the value of membership
* If members see value they will pay for it
* If agency leaders see value their employees may follow
* United States (US), state and local officials lack/misunderstand what public health is
* The TPHA needs to do a better job of demonstrating the value of membership
* The TPHA needs to consider organizational membership
* TPHA needs a leadership track
* Declining base of professionals
* Lack of money
* Do not officially track resources and membership
* Need more technology and resources
* Need more human resources
* A lot of members that do not get involved/inactive

 

Opportunities
* Co-sponsor meetings
* The growth of other public health organizations (e.g. Texas Association of Local Health Officials [TALHO], Texas Association of Municipal Health Officials [TAMHO], etc.) helps TPHA
* Regional opportunities with these organizations – partnership
* Bioterrorism and preparedness prevention and response opportunities
* Mental health organizations
* Tap into the schools of public health for membership
* Applied research
* Schools of:§ Dentistry § Nursing § Social work § Medicine
* Recruit more lay people
* Look at Texas the APHA membership for possible new members of the TPHA
* Approach businesses
* The TPHA needs to be more involved with the media
* Promote public health in news conferences
* Student award for media
* The TPHA needs to take a collaborative and supportive role (ex. Assisting local health departments with accreditation
* Identify opportunities that members may have members may have the skills sets to move forward
* Educate faculty at universities about the purpose and value of the TPHA
* Bring hospitals and public health together
* Partner with health and wellness groups within businesses

 

Threats
* Negative societal attitude toward public health
* Redefining public health
* Cut backs in all professions
* Federal budgets declining and increase need for public health
* Organizations not reimbursing for membership
* Other associations drawing members away from the TPHA
* All types of professional members dropping out of associations
* No public health certification or license
* As people move to other professions how do we keep them involved
* People have more options beyond public health
* Much larger proportion of dollars are spent on medical (sickness) care over public health (prevention)

* Privatization of public health practice

• Educates and empowers people to adopt healthy lifestyles
• Develops and promotes policies and legislation
• Explores new insights and innovative solutions to health and environmental problems
• Fosters professionalism in a multi-disciplinary workforce
• Brings together all individuals and organizations with an interest in public health under one umbrella

Highlights from our Strategic Plan and Goals:

GOAL #1:  INCREASE AND RETAIN MEMBERSHIP
·        Encourage Student Chapter establishment.
·        Continue to increase links on TPHA website to public health resources such as public health universities, city and county health departments, etc.

GOAL #2:  ENHANCE TPHA’S IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH

·        Identify at least two Public Health Issues for TPHA advocacy per year.
·        Co-sponsor at least two educational conferences with at least two organizations per year.  
·        Continue to educate our Texas' legislators so at least 50% may be able to define Public Health (correctly). 

GOAL #3:  INCREASE INTERNAL RESOURCES TO BE USED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH
·        Continue to apply for grant funding from sources such as APHA and CDC to enhance annual meetings.
·        Continue to search for new external sponsors.
·        Develop student internship.
·        Increase electronic business practices.
·        Increase volunteer hours available by streamlining Governing Council requirements.