2018 Annual Meeting Highlights

UMA members and business supporters gathered last month for fellowship, shared learning, EAGLE training and to celebrate excellence during the UMA Annual Meeting held April 16-18 in Nashville, TN.

The meeting featured 20 education sessions highlighting trends and best practices and 18 exhibitors sharing their expertise and products. Annual Meeting resources are now available on the UMA website.

UMA was honored that Bishop William McAlilly of the Nashville Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church delivered the opening devotion after a heart-felt introduction by his brother Steve McAlilly, President and CEO of Mississippi Methodist Senior Services.

During the meeting, Greg Peters, president and CEO of UMFS, gave a poignant farewell as outgoing board chair and stressed that he and UMFS will remain involved with UMA “due to the Wesleyan heritage and values which drive me and binds our ministries throughout this country.”

The two general sessions featured keynote speaker Tommy Spaulding, author of TheHeart-led Leader, introduced by Aaron Rulnick of HJ Sims, our Wesley Level sponsor. Tuesday’s general session spotlighted three Nashville-area ministries: Open Table Nashville, Miriam’s Promise and Project Transformation Tennessee, with a panel discussion facilitated by EAGLE and Education Manager Salome Nengean.

During the UMA Annual Business Meeting, members nominated the following new board members to serve in the class of 2020:

  • Kathy McCollum, President and CEO, Wesley Glen Ministries in Macon, Georgia
  • Jason Miller, VP of Operations, Otterbein in Lebanon, Ohio
  • Suzanne Pugh, CEO, Aldersgate in Charlotte, North Carolina

In addition, the members thanked outgoing board members Carol Rankin and Kim Williams for their service and Jason Miller for his service as an EAGLE commissioner.

Stepping in as the new UMA Board chair, Debbie Reed, President and CEO of Chaddock, shared that she has been involved with UMA for 24 years and has always appreciated the comradery and the chance to “be real” about our successes and our failures, our joys and our fears, … to talk about how our faith heritage strengthens our work, and calls us to expect even more from ourselves….” Reed encouraged members to get involved.

Thanks to all of our members and supporter for their contributions to the success at our meeting. UMA is especially grateful for the support of Sonja Lawson from UMFS in Richmond, Virginia for her support of the UMA team at registration Center.

Photos from the Annual Meeting are available on this page.

Resources from the education sessions are available on this page.

Save the Dates for future events! View them here.