Region Restructuring Webinar

 

After careful evaluation, the Texas Academy is moving forward with restructuring the original five regions. 

We are still seeking out feedback to bring to the May 2023 Board Meeting. Please send considerations to info.texas.and@gmail.com.

This will take on a two-phased approach.

23-24: Phase 1

  • Region Directors and Elects are state-level leaders
    • Directors determine regional team as needed 
    • Represent Region in an advisory and collaborative role with other Region Directors and Elects
  • Executive Directors
    • Handle logistical requests and communications 
  • Joint Seminar
    • Region leaders collaborate towards a joint seminar to secure theme and speakers
    • Executive Directors handle logistics
    • Seminar will be available virtually across the state
    • Seminar will be opposite of TX ACE location (e.g., the 2023-2024 region seminar host will not be the NE Region as 2024 TX ACE is in DFW)
  • No changes to the current 5 Regions

24-25: Phase 2

  • Current Proposed Region Additions
    • Central 
      • San Antonio, Austin, Waco
    • East 
      • Tyler, Longview, Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Huntsville, Texarkana, Beaumont
    • Rename “North Region”  to “Panhandle Region”

 

 

How have you seen regions succeed since moving to the current structure?

Participating in events across the state has become more accessible for our members without an additional membership fee. By moving into regions from districts, we have improved the financial health of the organization, can better ensure alignment with the Academy’s strategic plan, and have consolidated member resources.

Is there an opportunity to provide more feedback or has the new structure been fully determined?

Just as leadership before us intended, regional structure is a fluid process. We recognize the nuances each region faces as we evolve as an organization and therefore are willing to evaluate how we can improve. Feedback is encouraged via these routes:

  • Volunteer with the Texas Academy. This gives you a formal seat at the table to provide ideas that can ultimately leave a legacy.
  • Engage with your regional team. We’re all eager to improve and want to hear your ideas. What has worked? What can be improved? 
  • Attend events. This gives you firsthand insights while improving participation overall. 
  • Reach out to us at president@eatrighttexas.org and/or info.texas.and@gmail.com with additional feedback/comments- not sure if we want to say this, I just wanted to give people an additional channel to voice opinions. We indirectly say there aren’t opportunities to provide more feedback Can you elaborate on the special interest group idea?

Presented to the Board of Directors via the Task Force, creating special interest groups will convene like minded professionals across the state, regardless of location. We have yet to iron out what these interest groups will be and will lean on our members and leaders alike to determine what special interest groups will be enticing.

Do you think the revised arrangements might encourage the “splintered” groups who elected to not participate in the regional structure to “re-join the fold?” 

We do – we’re actively working with these groups as we see it as a win-win for all. We believe our members are best served through collaboration with off-shoot organizations as it streamlines programming, fees, and ultimately improves member experience. We happily invite them to join us and the door is always open.

Can you expand on how the Director and Director elect roles would work? Would they be taking on roles from other positions? How volunteer heavy would that be?

The intent of the two-phase approach is to help our volunteers. Our organization is made possible through the work of our leaders, and we strive to improve organizational efficiencies by collapsing down extra positions that have been proven to be hard to fill historically. By restructuring the Executive Directors roles, our hope is to streamline many of the administrative tasks to leave room, the Region Director and Director-Elect will be reimagined to serve as representatives of their constituents and will work more closely with other regions to enable an easier lift. In addition, regions can continue to create positions or leverage volunteers as they choose as they know their region needs best. 

How will these changes increase volunteer leadership?

We want to inspire a new group of volunteers to step into position while leveraging the expertise of some of our veterans. To do this, we understand burnout is a barrier to volunteering. Through continued collaboration, we hope to make volunteer leadership more streamlined, less daunting, more fun, and professionally fulfilling.

Can you share more info on the financial considerations that were considered? Will it require more administrative expenses? (Are our co-executive directors full-time, or do they have additional time available to devote to the new workload? I’m not aware of the current arrangements.)

We plan to move some day-to-day responsibilities to our Executive Directors for two reasons – they’re great at what they do and they have the time. They generously jump in and assist our leaders as needed and their strategic counsel will be vital during this process. 

By delegating more tasks to our Executive Directors, our hope is it will help volunteers resume their day to day tasks. We do work in tandem with the Executive Directors.