OASBO recently completed an extensive impact study to assess how well our programs, resources, and services align with member needs and our strategic goals. Thank you for your participation and consideration. The study provided valuable insights into areas of success and opportunities for improvement.
Understanding Our Focus
OASBO’s mission revolves around four main areas: Membership Engagement, School Business Profession Recruitment, Career Development, and Advocacy. The impact study's findings will help us evaluate these focus areas and identify ways to enhance the value we provide to our members.
Key Takeaways from the Study
1. High-Impact Programs: Members rated our Annual Conference, All Member Forum, and advocacy efforts as having the highest impact. Online tools and regional offerings also received strong support, emphasizing the importance of accessible and diverse resources.
2. Room for Improvement: Some members expressed a desire for more targeted and hands-on training. Suggestions included expanding education tailored to smaller districts, providing deeper dives into complex topics, and maintaining online options.
3. SBO Quarterly and eNews: Programs such as the SBO Quarterly are resource-intensive but do not consistently deliver high impact. We are considering reallocating staff time and financial investments to better serve members, potentially shifting focus to higher-engagement areas like the eNews. A short member survey on this topic will be circulated after Thanksgiving.
4. Communication and Awareness: A significant finding was that many members are not fully aware of all the resources OASBO offers. Increasing awareness through monthly eNews spotlights, a "Did You Know?" campaign, and improved online visibility is a priority to help members take full advantage of our offerings.
5. Technology Enhancements: Members pointed out a need for better technology and user experience. In response, we are planning to review our platforms to ensure a seamless experience from membership management to event registration.
Aligning with Strategic Goals
The study also highlighted how our initiatives align with our strategic objectives:
· Membership: We aim to strengthen engagement at the regional level and to improve accessibility to member tools and materials. Regular communication with chapter leaders and creating a clean, easy-to-navigate library of materials are key goals moving forward.
· Recruitment: Establishing internship opportunities and creating targeted outreach campaigns are crucial. Collaborating with local education partners, such as community colleges and educational service centers (ESCs), will be a focus to attract new talent to the school business profession.
· Career Development: Members expressed a clear interest in more practical, deep-dive training tied to state standards, especially with the new treasurer assessment. Offerings will be evaluated from this lens and aligned to state standards moving forward.
· Advocacy: Our legislative efforts remain vital. Members requested better tools to engage with lawmakers, including templates and easy-to-access resources for communicating effectively with stakeholders.
Moving Forward
The impact study serves as a roadmap for OASBO to refine our offerings and ensure we deliver maximum value to our members. By leveraging member feedback and strategically reallocating resources, we can continue to support Ohio’s school finance and operations professionals in meaningful and impactful ways.
As always, our members are at the heart of everything we do. We’re excited to implement these changes and look forward to your continued input and engagement. OASBO's very purpose is to serve and support you!