South Central District

For information regarding any South Central District activity contact:

Sandy Davis

Communications Co-ordinator

319 Parkey Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2J 4V2

Phone & Fax: (403) 225-1912

e-mail: aamscd@cadvision.com

or

Joanne Parker

South Central District Council Meetings

Secretary/Treasurer

Phone & Fax: (403) 275-066

South Central District Council Meetings Please note the following dates of upcoming meetings in your calendars: Jan. 4,1999 March 8, 1999 April 12, 1999 May 3, 1999 * June 7, 1999

All meetings will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the University of Calgary in room 1297. Please call Joanne Parker or Sandy Davis if you plan on attending as a light supper is ordered, and agendas are provided to those in attendance. The format of this year's meetings will include an open forum at the end of each meeting to allow for discussion of topics/concerns raised by members. SCD Council encourages all RNs in the district to come to the meetings and provide input on issues affecting nursing and health care delivery. The SCD Nurses Celebrating Nurses Dinner will be held in Calgary on May 10, 1999, during Nursing Week 1999 from May 10-16. (Tickets go on sale in March.)

Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend with colleagues! Agency Visits

South Central District Council Representatives are planning a number of agency visits over the next several months. The purpose of these visits is to meet and talk with as many RNs as possible, in order to identify or discuss issues and concems of members in the district. It will be an opportunity to meet with reps and discuss issues one on one. Please watch for posters that will notify of agency visits in your area. (Remember: You may always contact the South Central District office about any issues or concerns you have. Names and phone numbers of SCD Provincial Councilors are listed inside the front cover of each Alberta RN newsletter.)

On Thursday, Oct. 22, 1998, Lorraine Way (President), Ella Smith (Chair SCD), Linda Spence (Ward III Rep), and Sandy Davis (Communications Co-ordinator) visited three agencies: the Oilfields Hospital in Black Diamond, the Headwaters Health Authority Health Unit in Okotoks and the High River Hospital and Nursing Home in High River On Friday, Oct. 23, Lorraine, Ella and Sandy were accompanied by Pam Little (Ward IV Rep) when visiting the Mineral Springs Hospital in Banff and Canmore Municipal Hospital in Canmore. Overall, the attendance was great, with lots of discussions on a variety of topics. Watch for notices of similar "Coffee and Conversation" visits to an agency near you!

General Membership Meeting

The general membership meeting was held on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at the Peter Lougheed Center in Calgary. Topics of discussion were varied and pertinent to all RNs, such as safety calls to the AARN, recruitment and retention of RNs, and CLPNA promotional material, to mention only a sampling of topics discussed. Lorraine Way, AARN President, was our guest speaker, and provided a very informative update on issues that the AARN is currently involved in. The open forum at the end of the meeting also gave nurses an opportunity to raise any topics for discussion.

Wondering How to Become Involved

All AARN activities at the district and provincial levels are directed by volunteers. Attend a SCD Council meeting! It's a great was to meet colleagues and hear about the issues.

Read the Alberta RN newsletter and stay informed.

Vote in annual elections.

Contact your elected ward representative or provincial councilor and discuss issues of concern to you.

Become a committee member

Visit the AARN website at www.nurses.ab.ca and get updates on topics such as the Continued Competency Project.

For further information, contact Sandy Davis at (403) 225-1912.

RN Pins

These popular pins are a great way to be recognized as a registered nurse. To order your pin, please send a cheque for $3.50, payable to South Central District AARN, to either Sandy Davis or Joanne Parker.

Heritage Posters

These two-sided posters are a pictorial tribute to the pioneering work of Alberta's district public health nurses. Each poster is 23 inches by 36 inches and is available from Sandy Davis (225-1912) at a cost of $15.00 each or $25.00 for two. SCD Nurse of the Month Award - March 1998

Do you have a colleague who consistently demonstrates a high degree of professional ability? If you would like to see him or her recognized by your nursing peers, please consider submitting a nomination for Nurse of the Month. Further information and nomination forms can be obtained from Joanne Parker at (403) 275-0616. The nomination deadline is Dec. 31, 1998.

Heritage of Service Awards

Each year at the Nurses Celebrating Nurses Dinner, South Central District presents two Heritage of Service Awards. This award is given to honor and recognize a nurse who has made significant contributions to nursing practice during his or her nursing career that have benefited the nursing profession at the district level. This is a very prestigious award and you are encouraged to nominate a worthy colleague. Further information and nomination forms can be obtained from Joanne Parker at (403) 275-0616. The nomination deadline is Feb. 15, 1999.