News & Press

The Quiet Risk of Waiting: AI Considerations for Mission-Driven Organizations

Over the past year, artificial intelligence has shifted from a topic of curiosity to a formidable leadership challenge. Not long ago, many of us were asking, “What exactly is AI?” Now, the better question may be, “How do we use it wisely and in ways that strengthen our mission?” For senior living communities, behavioral health…

Your Board’s Most Important Conversation Isn’t Happening

By Suzette Davis, Vice President of Consulting | AQORD Consulting Is your organization facing an executive transition? The answer is yes. You just don’t know when or under what circumstances. That is not a pessimistic statement. It is a governance reality. Every organization in our sector will face a leadership transition whether planned or unplanned,…

Not Just a Checkbox: Why CEO Evaluations Matter Now More Than Ever

Most boards don’t avoid CEO evaluations because they don’t care, they avoid them because they’re not quite sure how to do them well. And yet, few responsibilities carry more long-term impact. The relationship between the governing board and the chief executive sits at the center of an organization’s health. The board is responsible for setting…

Sharing Your Story: The Not-So-Secret Recipe for Building Stakeholder Support

Storytelling is at the heart of our collective history, yet it can easily get lost amid strategic plans and organizational milestones. In an age where information is instantly accessible, our stories, rooted in institutional knowledge and shared human experience, matter more than ever. They are essential to keeping stakeholders engaged, informed, and connected to the…

2026 Innovation Grant Recipient: Goldensun

Each year, the AQORD Innovation Grant provides $4,000 to support creative, mission-driven initiatives within our membership. Funded through the Lebanon Fund, this award helps organizations launch or expand programs that strengthen services and advance their impact. Following a thorough review process, Goldensun was selected as the 2026 recipient from a strong pool of twelve applicants….

The Gathering 2026: Many Gifts, One Spirit

In late March, AQORD members joined three sister associations in Indianapolis for The Gathering 2026, a collaborative conference that replaced AQORD’s traditional annual event this year. The event brought together health and human service leaders representing five faith traditions—Anabaptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker, and United Church of Christ—creating a meaningful opportunity to learn from one another…

What We’re Seeing in the 2026 Workforce

Emerging patterns across mission-driven care Workforce pressure has not disappeared in 2026, but it has become more defined. Across our industry and member organizations, several patterns are becoming clearer. These patterns are less about dissatisfaction and more about how employees are interpreting work during a sustained period of complexity. Mission still attracts people to this…

Elevating Your Board’s Financial Literacy

One of the most daunting aspects of joining a board of directors is making sense of an organization’s financial structure, reimbursement models, and financial reports. Unless you are an accountant or have significant experience reading financial statements, understanding income, expenses, cash flow, and margin to fulfill your fiduciary responsibilities can feel overwhelming. And here is…

A New Beginning, Together

Welcoming a New Season of Connection, Community, and Shared Purpose The two associations that have long supported your work are now one. This merger marks a new beginning for our members, not as a departure from who we have been, but as a faithful step into who we are becoming. From the start, our work…

AQORD Press Release

Blue Bell, PA — January 9, 2026 — Friends Services Alliance (FSA) and MHS Association (MHS) have officially merged to form a single, strengthened organization to serve values-aligned health and human services providers. By combining expertise, resources, and Anabaptist and Quaker values, the new organization expands its ability to support members and the communities they…