Mid-Atlantic Association for

 Imago Relationship therapists

 

Approved by MAIT Board: 10/4/02

 

Long-Range Plan for The Mid-Atlantic Association for Imago Relationship Therapists

 

 

Introduction:

 

            The Mid-Atlantic Association for Imago Relationship Therapists (MAIT) was formed in 1994 by a committed group of Metro DC area Imago therapists.  Initially, the Association was an informally run membership group promoting support and ongoing educational opportunities for area Imago therapists.  Since then, the Association has evolved to become a much larger, more complex, legally incorporated, non-profit organization run by a Board of Directors elected from the membership.  By-laws were established for structure and consistency, a part-time Administrative Assistant was hired, and membership numbers have held steady in the 80-100 range since 1996.  In September 2001, the Board acknowledged the evolving nature of the Association and the need for a longer-term vision to set direction for the coming years.  A Long-Range Planning Committee was established under the leadership of Board President-Elect, Gloria Mog.   The Committee was formed in October 2001 of Cliff Ayers, Mike Borash, Judy Neary, Mary Ray and Marilyn Saunders.

 

            The Committee as a whole met four times from 11/01-5/02 to brainstorm, strategize, survey, and evaluate a wide range of ideas and data as well as the practical problems and opportunities facing the Association at this time.  A decision was made to survey the membership to determine individual priorities, interests and input into this process.  Approximately 90 surveys were mailed out and 60 returned - an excellent sample by all standards.  Additional input was solicited from the membership at two MAIT general meetings.  The following plan represents the synthesis of all of these processes over the past year.

 

MAIT Mission Statement:  We seek to foster growth, safety and healing for all people of this and future generations through the application of the theory and processes of Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT).  To this end, we commit ourselves to advance the theory of IRT, to promote the awareness and use of IRT, and to support and nurture the professional growth of MAIT members.

 

            The Plan endorses the current Mission Statement as an accurate description of the broad purpose of this organization.

 

Vision

 

            The Plan envisions a future for MAIT that builds on current strengths and commitment; grows in membership numbers and its scope of interests and services; increases visibility and activity in both professional and non-professional arenas in the Mid-Atlantic area; and works cooperatively with the new Imago International organization in areas of mutual benefit.

 

Values

 

            Values deemed particularly important in carrying out this vision include:

 

            A sense of responsibility and commitment from Board members who agree to:  complete all assigned duties; report regularly to the membership; solicit and remain open to the concerns and interests of all members.

            Acting with integrity and consistency in handling all contracts with employees, vendors, presenters, etc.

            A commitment to handle all conflict within the Association in an open and respectful manner using dialogue and/or communalogue as the primary method for conflict resolution.

            Maintaining a hospitable, welcoming, and inclusive atmosphere at all MAIT functions.

 

Objectives and Strategies

 

            The Plan calls for the following objectives to be accomplished over the next 2-10 years.  Objectives are listed in order of priority and include a suggested time frame for accomplishing each strategy.

 

1.    Continue to regularly sponsor dynamic, high quality advanced training in IRT and complementary therapies.

 

            Strategies                                                                                                Time Frame:

           

Bring 1-2 IRT Faculty members to present to MAIT each year                            2 yrs.

            Additionally, sponsor 1-3 workshops/year on IRT with special

              populations, IRT and complementary clinical approaches,

              specific IRT processes, etc. using both local and outside presenters.      2 yrs.

            Offer CEUs for all sponsored workshops.                                                  2 yrs.

            Publish a professional training schedule for the academic year and

              distribute to the membership each August.                                                3 yrs.

            Develop a multi-level education program that addresses the varying needs

              of the membership, outside therapists, and the community at large.                      10 yrs.

 

2.    Encourage and coordinate the formation of small groups of Imago therapists

      meeting regularly throughout the year for ongoing support, consultation,

      professional and personal growth.

 

      Strategies:                                                                                                       Time Frame:

 

Establish a committee for the development of consultation and support groups.2 yrs.

      Identify all existing Imago small groups in the area and whether member-

        ship is open or closed.  Publish and keep current a list of all groups.                2 yrs.

      Identify members who wish to be a part of an ongoing peer group and offer

        mentoring to establish new groups.                                                                            2 yrs.

      Support the establishment of supervision/mentoring groups for newly

        trained Imago therapists to offer direction, view videos, discuss cases,

        and provide ongoing training.                                                                                  2 yrs.

      Encourage participation of every MAIT member in an ongoing peer group,

 consultation group, couple’s group, special interest group, etc.  5 yrs.

 

3.    Provide support and ongoing education for area couples who have completed

      a couple’s week-end or course of IRT.

 

      Strategies:                                                                                                       Time Frame:

 

      Create a new Board-affiliated Committee to oversee Community Education           2 yrs.

       Offer monthly Saturday workshops for area couples at nominal or voluntary

         fee, led by area Imago Clinicians.                                                                             2 yrs.

       Develop a 12 month curriculum for these workshops.                                  2 yrs.

       Promote the identity as an “Imago Couple” in collaboration with Imago

         Relationships International.                                                                                    5 yrs.

       Expand Sat. workshops to include monthly workshops in each major geo-

         graphical region (MD/VA/DC/Baltimore/Richmond).                                            10 yrs.

       Offer regional large group workshops, retreats, speakers to Imago Couples        10 yrs.

4.    Increase the membership base of MAIT by 50 members every 5 years.

 

      Strategies:                                                                                                       Time Frame:

 

      Membership Committee to put a major recruiting effort into newly trained

            IRTs.  Meet with each training group, follow-up calls to all trainees; offer

special services such as reduced dues, mentors, peer groups, special trainings,

honoring of all newly certified, etc.                                                          2 yrs.

      Set goal of 80% who receive training to be MAIT members.                           3 yrs.

      Regular outreach to former members who have dropped membership or

            trained IRTs who have never joined.                                                                     3 yrs.

      Set up a cooperative relationship with all area trainers to promote MAIT, get

         follow-up data, etc.                                                                                             3 yrs.

      Survey membership every 2-3 years to determine level of satisfaction, areas

            for improvement, etc.                                                                                     2 yrs.

       Develop a professional quality brochure for MAIT recruitment.                                   2 yrs.

 

5.    Establish a Scholarship Fund to offer partial support for couples/singles who cannot

      afford the workshops and therapists who cannot afford the basic training.

                             

   Strategies:                                                                                                         Time Frame:

 

   Appoint a Board-affiliated Committee to establish the Fund, its regulations and

            procedures, and to oversee the administration of the Fund.                                2 yrs.

   Establish revenue-generating activities that will support the Fund: e.g. income

            from Saturday workshops, 10% of dues and/or educational revenue,

            annual social event, etc.                                                                                              2 yrs.

   Enter into cooperative agreements with area workshop presenters and trainers

            to match scholarship amounts given for their activities.                                    5 yrs.

 

6.    Promote Imago to Non-Imago Area Therapists

 

    Strategies:                                                                                                        Time Frame:

 

   Host an Open House Wine & Cheese/Coffee & Bagels 1-2x/year for all area

            therapists.  Give a short lecture and demo, questions and answers on Imago

            therapy, couples workshops and training.                                                   5 yrs.

   Develop a brochure on “What is Imago Therapy” to be sent out annually to

            area therapists along with the current list of MAIT members, schedule

            of area week-end workshops, and training.                                                  5 yrs.

   Occasionally invite non-Imago therapists to appropriate MAIT trainings   10 yrs.

   Establish a Speaker’s Bureau to present to the professional as well as non-

            clinical community on Imago.                                                                            10 yrs.

 

7.    Improve communication among the membership.

 

     Strategies:                                                                                                       Time Frame:

 

     Establish a mailing schedule to the membership so that everyone is receiving

            information at least every 2 months.                                                                     2 yrs.

     Make consistent use of the email listserve to remind about upcoming training,

            meeting info, regional interests, etc.                                                                    2 yrs.

   Establish a MAIT quarterly newsletter that keeps members informed about

            Board business, couples workshops, training opportunities, special interests

            of members, peer group openings and information, new approaches/ideas

            that members have, etc.                                                                                              5 yrs.

    Provide continuous updating of the MAIT website as well as links to other

            appropriate sites in order to increase usage of the site.                                   2 yrs.

 

8.    Broaden the base of support services for MAIT activities.

 

    Strategies:                                                                                                        Time Frames:

 

    Expand the amount of paid administrative staff time to support these new

            endeavors.                                                                                                            2 yrs.

    Establish a Volunteer Coordinator position to assign jobs, track hours,

            acknowledge volunteers ,etc.                                                                2 yrs.

    Develop a volunteer section on the membership application encouraging

            all members to help with something and to give at least 2 hours/year to

            the Association.                                                                                                      2 yrs.

 

9.    Support the personal relationship growth of all MAIT members.

 

      Strategies:                                                                                                       Time Frames:

 

      Sponsor at least one Advanced Couples workshop/year.                               2 yrs.

      Support the formation of regional Couples Groups to meet regularly for

            couple growth and support.                                                                              5 yrs.

      Sponsor at least one social event/year for members and their partners.   2 yrs.

      Support the formation of Singles Groups for Imago Therapists to promote

            personal and relationship growth issues.                                                   5 yrs.