MHSA Committees
In addition to the Board of Directors, MHSA is guided by five committees. Committee membership is open to MHSA program members, MHSA Affiliate members, and community partners. Any member or partner interested in joining a committee can reach out to mhaimowitz@massheadstart.org to be connected with the committee’s chair.
Fiscal Sustainability Committee
The Fiscal Sustainability Committee leads MHSA’s fiscal work. This includes reviewing monthly fiscal reports, annual budgets and annual fiscal reports, annual audits and tax filings, and fiscal contracts. This committee is additionally responsible for the ongoing revenue growth of the Association, including identifying growth opportunities, new revenue sources, and opportunities to take on new projects and activities. Additionally, the Development Committee is responsible for assessing existing revenue generating activities, collecting data, and evaluating outcomes.
Organizational Effectiveness and Nominating Committee
The Organizational Effectiveness and Nominating Committee is responsible for assessing and guiding the organization’s operational needs to ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the association. It focuses on strategic planning, resource development, and identifying opportunities to strengthen infrastructure and support ongoing mission-driven work. This committee is additionally responsible for identifying a slate of nominees for Directors to the Board. The Nominating Committee is also responsible for identifying nominees or award winners for other positions before the Board or membership, including New England Head Start Association board seats and MHSA award winners.
Policy and Advocacy Committee
The Policy and Advocacy Committee is tasked with overseeing MHSA’s external advocacy operations, including reviewing and recommending policy endorsements and sign on letters and developing advocacy strategy. The Committee created Policy Principles to underscore the issues that MHSA supports and create guidelines by which legislation, sign-on letters, and other policy and advocacy opportunities can be vetted for MHSA endorsement. The Committee will also be consulted to advise on policy changes within Head Start regulating bodies and their impacts on MHSA Members.
Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee is tasked with planning and overseeing MHSA’s professional development opportunities, including conferences, trainings and events, communities of practice, and other learning opportunities. The Committee will be tasked with collecting and analyzing member survey data to understand and respond to member professional development needs. The Professional Development Committee may also be asked to evaluate external professional development opportunities and data to ensure that MHSA is filling an unmet need for Head Start programs.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee is tasked with overseeing MHSA’s internal and external communications strategies and executing the communications goals in MHSA’s Strategic Plan. These include goals related to communications plans, MHSA’s web membership hub and member communications, press and media engagement, and building public awareness for Head Start. Work with the committee may include creating and reviewing visual and written materials to share Head Start’s priorities and accomplishments, determining communications strategies to strengthen membership engagement, and reviewing press materials on behalf of MHSA.