Biennial Reports

Arizona Nurse, Sep 2005

Chapter President's Council

Karyn Poole, Chair

Members

Martha Ayres, RN, MSN

Carol Delafontaine, RNC, MSHS

Mary J. Hallett, RN, MS

June Mikkila, RN, BSN, MPH, APRN, BC

Kathy Player, RN, EdD

Lorena Silva-Rust RN, BSN

Erich Widemark, MSN, RN, FNP-C

2004

* Transition to standardized chapter elections: Many chapters hold elections every year in order to stagger the transition of new members to their board. As a result, chapter presidents reported that there is a need for new chapter leadership education on an annual basis. The committee determined that chapter leadership education should be held annually, in conjunction with either symposium or convention.

* Discussed planning & outcome of 2004 Lobby Day, Legislative Day, and Promise of Nursing event.

* Reviewed status of Governor Huirs Nursing Shortage Taskforce now that Governor Napolitano is in office.

* Provided feedback from membership to BOD about Conflict Transformation Workshop and Chapter Leadership Program.

* Discussed pros and cons of legislation regarding Certified Medication Aides, NP Death Certificate Signing, Approval Post secondary Nursing Programs, Medical Malpractice, and Community College Baccalaureate programs.

* Clarified process for making any changes to chapter bylaws.

* Collaborated for the promotion and dissemination of AzNA's professional advocacy materials.

* Implemented the inclusion of the Membership Committee's membership reports as part of Chapter President Council meeting agendas. This has been very helpful for Chapter Presidents for comparing and contrasting membership trends and developing individual chapter goals.

* Investigated the "grandfathering" of student nurses association members into AzNA for their first 6 months to one year

* Discussed membership recruitment plans including targeted letters to NPs, plans to update the AzNA display board, obtaining lists of new grad and transfer nurses from the State Board and sharing it with the chapters, and creating AzNA membership enrollment via the AzNA website.

* Identified chapter presidents willing to target membership recruitment to new graduates.

* Proposed providing one chapter representative from each chapter to the Membership Committee.

* Fostered a more efficient communication system between AzNA office and chapters for reporting new membership.

* Reviewed a letter drafted by the Membership Committee to recruit new graduates and considered dissemination strategies.

* Charged Membership Committee to discuss options for different membership levels and review other state models. Chapter presidents discussed membership options with their members and reported back to council. AzNA Board considered approximate cost of running a pilot program. The result of this is that more data is needed and no change will be made to AzNA's model at this time.

* Ongoing review of membership trends and recruitment activities.

* Encouraged AzNA's Executive Director to focus less on conferences and more on speaking opportunities where she can invite nurses to join the association.

* Had chapter contact persons placed on AzNA website

* Reviewed Department of Labor rules around overtime pay to communicate to chapter members

* Discussed concerns about State Board of Nursing's Advisory Opinion on Pain Management

* Identified 5 areas for chapters to get involved in during convention year

* Discussed planning & outcome of 2005 Lobby Day, Legislative Day

2005

* Investigated embedding chapter information pages within AzNAs website.

* Discussed how best to use new technology like the website, listservs, etc. Some chapters are considering holding meetings on line.

* Provided feedback for planning 2005 Chapter Leadership Program

* Clarification of 2005 election process and needs for communication to chapter members

* Discussion concerns regarding CNA activities within the state

AzNA Political Action Committee Board of Trustees

Judy Lersch, RN, MS, EdD, Chair, AzNAPAC

Executive Committee

Laurie House, RN, BSN, Treasurer

Ray Kronenbitter, RN, BSN, Secretary

Members-at-large

Pam Dallabeta, RN, MS

Nanci Kahn, RN, BA

June Mikkila, RN, MPH, APRN, BC

Cheryl Zwigman-Bagley, RN, MSN, CNAA-BC

Carol Delafontaine, RN, MSHS

Judy Irvin, RN, JD

Jennifer Mensik, RN, MBA

Susan Rieck, RN, PhD

The Arizona Nurses Association Political Action Committee (AzNAPAC) is organized for the purpose of advancing nursing and health care in the state of Arizona. In carrying out this stated purpose, AzNAPAC:

* Stimulate nurses and others to become active and effective in governmental affairs and public policy decisions

* Assist nurses and others in organizing for effective political action

* Educate candidates about professional nursing and general health care issues

* Endorse, raise funds for, and contributes to candidates for public office in Arizona who have clearly demonstrated responsible awareness of nurses needs and the health of the people

* Educate nurses and others regarding the elective process, the legislative positions of office holders and candidates, and the important political issues related to nurses, nursing and health