2005 CAN/CMA/HOD, June 15-19 Wardman Park Marriott; Washington, D.C.

Alabama Nurse, Sep-Nov 2005 by Decker, Joseph F II

1. Center for American Nurses (C AN) meeting, 15-16 June

* ASNA representatives: Janet Donoghue, ASNA President and Joe Decker, Exec. Dir. Note: The CAN is the professional nurses association, non-union side of the ANA house (UAN is the union organization), whose mission is "to create a community of nursing organizations that serves individual, non-union nurses by providing programs, tools and policies that address their workplace concerns."

* Now known as The Center, the CAN President is Debbie Hatmaker, PhD, RN, SANE-A and the Executive Director is Wylecia Wiggs Harris, MBA. Key issues agenda for 2004-2006: received updates on

Patient Safety

- Appropriate Staffing

- Workplace Rights

- Workplace Health and Safety

* Despite being a newly-organized entity in ANA, the Center has made great strides in putting together a complete program for non-union nurses. Staff hiring is ongoing, and the dues bifurcation with ANA will be in place by July. Many of the committees and task forces are already turning out deliverables, and much more is on the way. Financial footing is very solid, as indicated by the annual report.

2. Constituent Member Assembly (CMA) meeting, 17 June.

* ASNA representatives: Janet Donoghue, ASNA President and Joe Decker, ED.

* Received "state of the state" update from Barbara Blakeney, MS, RN, ANA President; and CEO update from Linda Stierle, MSN, RN, CNAA, BC, ANA/CEO.

* Major issues included were: membership losses and associated efforts to improve recruiting/ retention; UAN-CAN/NNOC labor disputes; ANA political activities, including ANA-PAC; "ANA Coming to You" initiative; ANA Partnership Plan (CMA Stabilization & Continuity Plan); and MBNA credit card update/ new initiative with National City Bank.

* Cheryl Schmidt, PhD, RN from Arkansas and Linda Easterly, RN, BSN, MSA, MS, COHN-S of Georgia were elected to the CMA Executive Board.

3. House of Delegates/Convention, 2005, 17-19 June.

* ASNA Delegates: Janet Donoghue (President), JoAnn Broadus, Paula Gasser, Ruth Harrell, Arlene Morris, Charlene Roberson, Jill Stokley, Helen Nelson. Joe Decker, ASNA/ED also attended.

* Over 600 total in attendance, including delegates from all 54 CMAs.

* Presentations from President Barbara Blakeney and CEO Linda Stierle (as 2, above).

* Treasurer's Report showed a stabilized budget and adequate reserves on hand.

* Loss of AJN as a benefit to ANA members seems certain in 2006.

* Following reports from Bylaws Committee and Reference Committee, action taken by House vote on all bylaws and reference proposals. (See ANA, website). Of the 8 Action Reference Proposals, six passed, one was withdrawn (Locus of Nursing Practice) and one was defeated.

* The Reference Proposal by ASNA (Presidential Endorsement Process) to stop ANA endorsement of a Presidential candidate beginning with the 2008 election was defeated by 78%-22%. Our proposal had been put forward as a result of negative impact on our membership retention, and recruiting, and associated access and alienation questions. While not successful, our delegation did have the opportunity to express our views to the House. We did receive significant support from a number of states, including SC, MS, NC, GA5AR, AZ and TX, and also got a number of laudatory comments for simply having the "gumption" to broach the subject at that level.

* The six Resolutions (Reference Proposals) that were passed by the House of Delegates were:

- Acts of Torture and Abuse. Expressed opposition to any such activities; emphasized humane treatment for all detainees/prisoners; supported access to proper health care for prisoners; encouraged nurses to report any violations; expressed support for nurses in these situations.

- Dangers of Leaving Children Unattended in and around Motor Vehicles.

- Healthcare Reform: Preparing ANA and the Nursing Profession to take the Leadership Role in U.S. Healthcare Reform. Set minimum goals that would ensure all U.S. citizens and legal residents would have health insurance coverage by 2010; and reduce the excessive health care expenditure inflation by 2008.

- Implications of Fatigue on Patient and Nurse Safety.

- Nightingale Tribute. Support the tribute to deceased nurses developed by the Kansas State Nurses Association. (See ASNA Website for tribute)

- Promote Public Awareness of Safe Haven Laws for Infant Abandonment.

* ANA-PAC update indicated that the PAC hopes to exceed the 2004 level of $750,000 raised and increase to at least $1,000,000 in 2008.

* The Southeast Regional Delegation (SEED) voted to form a committee to find/encourage/ support members from our area to run for office in both the CAN and ANA Boards.

by Joseph F. Decker, II

Executive Director