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We are excited to announce a new strategic plan for the Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association! We have spent the last year crafting a bold, ambitious and inclusive plan to guide our work in supporting people with ME/CFS and FM and their families, educating health care providers, advocating for social services and building a sustainable future for MassME. A big thank you to those who were introduced to, and who helped refine, the strategic plan during the small group meetings we held this past spring. And a big "Welcome!" to some of our new members who are already benefiting from initiatives described in the plan, such as our expanded support group program. A summary of the plan is included below. For those of you with the energy and interest to delve into the details, please find the full strategic plan here. Let us know what you think!

Can You Help?

We are seeking nominations for new Board Members. The Board will help guide MassME as we implement the strategic plan. There is a lot of work to do and we'll need fresh thinking and talent, especially in the areas of:
• Financial management
• Project management
• Communications
• Fundraising and donor relations
• Health care and social services

If you would like to learn more about the work of our Board or explore other volunteer opportunities with us, please get in touch through our Contact Us webform.

Warmly,

Leah Williams, Association President

Strategic Plan Executive Summary

The Massachusetts ME/CFS and FM Association (MassME) is the oldest continuously running state organization supporting and advocating for ME/CFS and FM patients. Over our thirty year history we have continually reevaluated and refocused our activities according to the changing landscape of medical knowledge, of national and international advocacy organizations, and the needs of our members. In 2019 a committee was convened to take stock of our resources and establish clear priorities and actions for MassME.

Main Recommendations
• Focus on services to patients in Massachusetts
• Support (but not necessarily lead) national efforts in advocacy and visibility
• Don’t try to reproduce what other organizations are better positioned to do

With this strengthened focus, the committee established four ‘pillars’ of the organization, and defined clear projects that MassME could undertake in the next few years to support these four pillars:

Support people and their families
• Improve website information
• Expand support group options
• Increase confidence in doctor referrals

Educate healthcare providers
• Increase the number of ME/CFS knowledgeable primary care physicians and other healthcare providers interested in working with patients in MA

Advocate for social services
• Understand and document the social service needs of ME/CFS patients in MA
• Educate MA social service providers about ME/CFS
• Build social service support capacity

Sustain the Association
• Double membership
• Fill all leadership positions
• Fully fund the operating budget commensurate with this strategic plan
• Support national efforts where we can