May/June 2012 PAAOHN News

In This Issue: President's Message Local Chapter Events/Accomplishments Governmental Affairs Upcoming Conferences - 2012 Individual Member Awards Nominating Committee is Seeking Candidates Welcome New Members

President's Message Dear Fellow Members:   It has been a busy year for me personally with work, association and family commitments so I am not surprised how fast this year is going. At the association level, the Board has been working hard to provide more services and resources to you. We recently approved revisions to our Awards Committee procedure in order to provide more opportunities for participation and recognition.    You can download applications now for the Dorothy Saller and Betty Mouldar Awards.  In addition, we added two more awards; the Chapter Award of Excellence which replaces the Chapter Achievement Award and a PAAOHN Business Recognition Award.   Grants are a great way to supplement financial support to attend an AOHN-sponsored event. Consider applying for our PAAOHN Educational Grant for 2013 or an NEAOHN Grant to attend this year’s NEAOHN conference.    For details of all awards and grants including deadlines, visit our website or click the following link: http://www.paaohn.org/GrantsAwards/tabid/458/Default.aspx   PAAOHN is again offering the following opportunities to our local chapters for their members: ·       Each local chapter receives one complimentary attendee registration for the NEAOHN Conference at the Mount Airy Casino Resort. ·       A $100.00 donation on behalf of your local chapter to a free medical clinic/charity. ·       New for 2013, we will support national and state membership dues for one member of each local chapter. Local dues will be the member’s responsibility. The process of selecting the recipients will be determined by each respective local chapter President.   AAOHN has approved our By-Law revisions. These revisions are posted on the website for your review and are being emailed to all members. We will be voting these revisions during our Annual Business meeting on September 13th.    I accepted the AAOHN Chapter Communications Award for PAAOHN at the annual conference in Nashville.   I would also like to extend congratulations to Susquehanna Valley for receiving the AAOHN Chapter of the Year Award.   At the Annual Business Meeting, John Dancy, CEO and AAOHN President Catherine Peplar reported that AAOHN is financially stronger, debt-free and able to begin investing funds. They thanked all of the chapters, sponsors and members for their part, however so small.    The AAOHN Foundation’s Silent Auction was a huge success and raised $3641.00. These monies provide grants and scholarships to our members.   As Chair of AAOHN Chapters Committee, we hosted a Chapter Leaders Forum that was well attended and provided us with great feedback on how we can improve our services. It should come to no surprise that the top 3 areas that leaders need assistance with all deal with membership; 27% engaging members, 21% recruiting new members, 12% retaining current members. Our Committee will be discussing ways to address this need.   AAOHN is a member-driven organization and always needs volunteers. Please check out their Committees listed on AAOHN’s website. Terms vary from short-term project work to one and two years. Participation is virtual with toll-free calls, e-mail and a shared online database.  If you are a member and are interested in contributing your time and expertise, please complete the ‘Willing-to-Serve Form’ and e-mail it to aaohngov@dancyamc.com.   That is all for now. Be healthy and safe and I hope to see you in September at Mount Airy.   Sincerely, Carol Parks, RN, BSN, COHN-S/CM, FAAOHN PAAOHN President Download May_June 2012 Issue   If you have news or events to report, please send them to ciparks@pplweb.com