AFSP Tennessee celebrates success at 2024 Chapter Leadership Conference

At the end of January, representatives from the Tennessee Chapter attended AFSP’s national Chapter Leadership Conference in Orlando. The Chapter Leadership Conference is an annual event bringing together chapter volunteer leaders and staff from across the country to acknowledge our accomplishments and learn more about moving our mission forward. This year, the Tennessee Chapter was represented by Board Chair Paul Augustyniak, Board Member and Coffee County Walk Chair Deidra Goins, Volunteer Coordinator and Nashville Walk Chair Lina Budesa, and Area Director Halli Drake.

The theme for this year’s conference was Leadership: Shared, Inclusive, and Impactful. The Tennessee Team spent three days soaking up information about AFSP-funded research, inclusive practices to elevate diversity, impactful new and revamped programs, and strategies to better engage with our communities. Chapter representatives also took advantage of the opportunity to meet with leaders from other chapters to collaborate and share ideas.

On the last night of the conference, AFSP hosts the annual Chapter Awards Banquet to recognize chapters from across the organization for the life-saving work they do in their local communities. The Tennessee Chapter was honored to receive THREE awards for our work in 2023.

2023 Century Club: The Nashville Walk was recognized for raising over $100,000! In 2023, 1,320 walkers joined us at Centennial Park, raising $128,819 for our mission. This accomplishment was made possible by the dedication of our Nashville Walk Co-Chairs, Brenda Williams-Denbo, Angelynn Edwards and Lina Budesa, as well as our Together We Are Stronger Festival Chair, Elizabeth Averill, and the entire Nashville Walk Committee.

Outstanding Chapter Social Media: Tennessee was recognized for producing a variety of engaging content for Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn. Our Communications Committee worked to develop and adapt our social media strategy in 2023 to better recognize the efforts of our volunteers across the state, in all areas of our mission, with an increased focus on our rural communities.
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Outstanding Chapter Advocacy Program: The Tennessee Chapter was recognized for having an incredible Public Policy Committee and Volunteer Advocates that collaborate with other organizations across the state. In 2023, the Tennessee Chapter advocated for the expansion of the Save Tennessee Students Act, requiring institutions of higher education to include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student ID cards, and post information about the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline around campus. With support from our LGBTQIA+ Action Committee, we also publicly opposed HB0001/SB0001 to prevent suicide for our LGBTQIA+ youth.
Read more about our 2023 State Capitol Day

Our work is truly not possible without the dedication of all those involved. THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered, donated, walked, attended events, or followed us on social media in 2023! We are so grateful for your support of our mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide in Tennessee.