Evolving World of AAACN, The

We are living in a world where change is the rule rather than the exception. This is true in the world of associations as well. I would like to discuss how the nature of associations is changing, and how AAACN as an organization is facing some new realities. It will be essential for AAACN to respond to these realities in order to remain a vital and relevant organization. Dalton, Jarretti, & Mahafie (2003) have identified trends that are likely to influence organizations in the future. I am going to highlight a few of them and discuss what AAACN is doing to be proactive in these areas.

Shifts in Strategic Focus

Organizations are facing rising and changing expectations from members. This is certainly true for AAACN. As mentioned in my last column, the Board of Directors has become concerned that in response to these expectations, we are trying to be all things to all people. As an organization with limited resources, we need to go back and revisit who we are and how we can best address the needs of our members. This spring, the board began its work to re-define the association's core business; our future strategic direction will be based on this.

Structure and Operations Are Shaken Up

Associations are taking a more business-like approach than in the past. We can no longer base our programming and services on the needs of the most vocal members, but must utilize data about the needs of the majority of members. Over the past 3 years, the AAACN Board of Directors has been conducting membership scans and focus groups in a variety of venues to learn more about our membership and what they expect from their professional organization.

Differentiation is Occurring

People and organizations have more choices. To stand out from the rest, associations must clearly differentiate their mission and market their brand. The mission of AAACN is to advance the art and science of ambulatory care nursing. We, as an organization, have developed a number of products and services to address this mission. Examples include the Ambulatory Care Nursing Core Curriculum, the Ambulatory Care Nursing Administration and Practice Standards, the Telehealth Nursing Practice Administration and Practice Standards, the Telehealth Nursing Practice Core Course, and the Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification Review Course. All of these products were developed to assist ambulatory care nurses to better differentiate and articulate their specialty. Can we stop here? Definitely not. We need to continue to define what sets AAACN apart from other organizations and develop products and services that address this uniqueness.

The Internet

Innovative use of the Internet has become the mainstay of associations. We are becoming accustomed to using technology in all aspects of our work and home life. Why should our association life be any different? Seventy-one percent of AAACN members provide e-mail addresses on their membership applications, so we know that this is an important mechanism for communication.

Last fall, AAACN launched a brand new Web site. I hope that you have had a chance to look at the new site. If you haven't, check out www.aaacn.org. It already has many great features and is continually being enhanced. The site allows us to report current information on ambulatory nursing issues, as well as news about AAACN as an organization. We can chat with other members on line and participate in continuing education opportunities with the push of a button. Events of interest to members are published, and site links that are relevant to AAACN members are provided. Ambulatory care nursing job opportunities are posted, and AAACN products can be purchased. We're also proud to announce our new on-line membership directory to help members find and network with other members. Members have told us that they want a way to remain connected to AAACN throughout the year in addition to the annual conference. This is one of the ways we have attempted to meet this need.

Volunteer Management

AAACN is a volunteer organization; the work accomplished is primarily performed by volunteers. The president is a volunteer. The Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers. The committee and special interest group chairs are volunteers. We've accomplished an incredible amount as a volunteer organization thanks to the work of people who care enough about ambulatory care nursing to donate their time and talents.

In many organizations, a shift is currently underway from long-term, time-intensive volunteer participation to short-term, focused volunteer opportunities. This is true of AAACN. The AAACN Board of Directors is identifying new ways for members to become involved for limited periods of time. Examples include serving on a task force to revise our standards publications or representing AAACN on a national initiative (such as the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care). We'd love to hear how you would like to be involved. We also invite you to watch for opportunities, which will be communicated in our E-Newsletter or Viewpoint.