Up Front
By Douglas G. Franklin, MSAA President and CEO
I am pleased to see such a high level of activity everyday at MSAA. Among many recent achievements are several awards we have received for our educational materials. I am proud to announce that MSAA's web video, A Closer Look at Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms, Part 1, has won a Silver Telly Award (top honors). Additionally, MSAA 's quarterly magazine, The Motivator, along with our children's book, Mommy's Story, received two National Health Information Awards, an APEX Award, and a Grand APEX Award (top honors).
I would also like to mention that MSAA meets the twenty rigorous standards of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, one of the leading charity evaluators. The Alliance's standards were applied to our organization's finances and solicitations, effectiveness, governance, and informational materials. Meeting these standards makes MSAA eligible to participate in the Alliance's Charity Seal Holder program. MSAA has elected to join the nearly 200 other charities who participate, and we will proudly display the Charity Seal.
My enthusiasm carries over to the MS Coalition as well. This affiliation of several independent MS organizations was recently honored for outstanding leadership in the MS world at The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis Benefit, a gala event held in New York City on October 23rd. As president of the MS Coalition, I was pleased to speak on its behalf.
MSAA has also begun a social marketing program to encourage adherence to disease-modifying therapies, which have been shown to slow MS disease activity. We have produced a public service announcement for broadcast on national TV, as well as a new publication. I am very excited for the opportunity to share this vital message with the MS community.
On September 28th, we held our President's Circle reception, where MSAA's generous supporters were honored. This inspiring event was attended by regional donors and volunteers, along with MSAA 's Board members, Healthcare Advisory Council (HAC) members, regional directors, and senior staff.
On the following day, MSAA Board and HAC members, along with directors and senior staff, all convened to focus on developing a three-year plan for MSAA 's programs and services. The overall goal is to optimize what we do in a complementary way, so that no one is left behind. We will build on these discussions for January's meeting, when we hope to have a clear consensus on our signature services and core programs, based on what clients want – as determined through a national assessment conducted by MSAA.
As the winter months quickly approach, I would like to wish all of our readers a very happy holiday season. May everyone enjoy much health and joy throughout the coming New Year.
Doug Franklin joined MSAA as President & CEO in 1999. He has a distinguished career in association leadership and is a former national trainer in strategic planning for the Peter Drucker Foundation. A published international expert in the field of social marketing, he is a graduate of four universities. He currently serves on the National Board of the Key Philanthropic Organizations Committee of the American Society of Association Executives and serves on the Executive Committee of Health First – America's Charities Board in Washington, DC.
