So the countdown begins! There are only a few weeks left until the 2016 NSNA MidYear Conference in Kansas City, MO. I look forward to seeing you all there, especially at our Council of State Presidents (COSP) meetings on November 10th and 11th. The COSP Planning Committee has worked very diligently to bring you an engaging and interactive meeting that will be one of the best COSP meetings yet.

Here are a few highlights:                                                                                                        

• NSNA Board of Directors, Nominating and Elections Committee, & Resolutions Committee Updates
  
• Special Speaker: Lola Fehr, MS, RN, CAE, PRP, FAAN
  
• Invitational Leadership Luncheon: Erik Martin, MSN, RN, CNML, Clinical Director, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center; and a Director on the Board of Trustees for the American Organization of Nurse Executives
  
• Shared Governance and NSNA Core Values
  
• White Elephant Gift Exchange: Check out the rules here.
  
• Importance of Political Engagement
  
• Marketing Your Association
  
• COSP Planning Committee Election & Election
  
• NSNA Bylaws- Article 7 Section 8
  

New this year: Sharing Circles will follow each speaker/topic presentation and correlate directly to the presentation. This hopefully will allow for us all to immediately reflect on content and stimulate conversation and ideas sharing for direct application of the information in our state associations!

Be sure to submit your Sharing of Accomplishments Forms prior to our meeting so others can be aware of your state’s activities. Please make sure to complete and submit your forms prior to the conference. Also, please submit an updated State Roster Form as soon as possible after state elections and add the newly elected president to the COSP Facebook page.

We will be electing new COSP Planning Committee members to participate in the planning of the COSP meeting at the 2017 NSNA Annual Convention. Positions are available in the North, West, and South election areas. If you are interested in becoming involved, please take a look at the COSP Policies & Procedures to review responsibilities and eligibility requirements. If you decide to run, prepare a one-minute speech outlining what you would bring to the table as a COSP Planning Committee member.
I look forward to seeing you all in Kansas City! If you have any questions, ideas, suggestions, etc., please feel free to contact me! I am here as a resource for all of you over the course of this year!
Best,
Marcus Henderson, Chair, COSP Planning Committee
NSNA Board of Directors Ex-Officio
[email protected]

Links: Sharing of Accomplishment Form, COSP Policies & Procedures, and White Elephant Gift Exchange

Message from the NSNA President

As the state convention season approaches, many of you are in the midst of finalizing your own state conventions. I wish you all the very best of luck and success in educating and preparing your members for their professional lives.

During my tenure several state leaders have contacted me about different issues related to their board experiences, some good and some not so good.  There is one thing that has been on my mind to write to you about . . . board conflict. Every board will have some degree of conflict. In my own experience, the most important thing throughout the process is to maintain the efficiency and morale of the board.  Conflict is inevitable, yet it always produces growth for those who choose to address the issues with poise and confidence.  

Nurses are looked upon as having composure in even the toughest situations.  This is one positive stereotype that we must embrace  when it comes to conflict resolution. I encourage you to look at each issue as only a task to accomplish, with the mindset that if fairness and equal expression are encouraged, the task will be much easier and success will follow.  Open these discussions with poise and with the expressed expectation to have an open discussion with respect, optimism, constructive feedback, and equal input for everyone.   Those involved should feel comfortable stating their opinions, while also being held accountable to give respect if they expect to receive it.

The Golden Rule is huge in all conflict, but what is most important is to collectively identify the actual problem before it can be debated and resolved.  And what should you do when these issues are over?  You must stay positive.  Always end the conflict on a positive note so that everyone has the chance to reflect on the good that comes from conflict resolution.  This reflection of “good” will leave everyone better prepared for future conflicts. It also plants a seed in their lives, and all who they come into contact with in similar situations. 

I have found so much progress made within boards that engage in these discussions and end on a positive note.  Not only do your members grow, but perhaps new bylaws, policies, and ideas come out of these situations. This will prepare your organization to better handle future conflicts.  This brings attention to the practice of being familiar with your bylaws.  The boards that have preceded you may have already had these issues and established polices/bylaws/procedures that may help with your own situations.  Perhaps the bylaws don’t encompass everything, but they may give you the opportunity to amend them for the next group. 

On a final note, take conflict in stride with the outlook that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. When a board works in unison, it works to accomplish great things and goals will be achieved.  Keep pushing yourselves and develop into the professional nurses and leaders that our profession needs.  Thank you for all your commitment to NSNA and I wish you the best this school year!

Adam Tebben, NSNA President

[email protected]

  Message from the Resolutions Committee Chair

I am looking forward to meeting many NSNA members and state presidents at the upcoming NSNA MidYear Career Planning Conference.  I will be presenting a workshop entitled, Empowering Policy: Write a Resolution and Impact the Future of Nursing.  The program takes place at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Friday, November 6, 2015 from 3:30pm – 4:30pm.  I will also be participating in the School President’s Forum and the Navigating Convention as a Delegate or Alternate session.  I will be available to discuss resolution topics and to answer your questions about writing resolutions at the Roundtable Discussions on Saturday evening. 

As you may know the entire process of submitting a resolution is online—no mailings, no envelopes and no postage!  More details are forthcoming in the Guidelines for Submitting Resolutions publication. Click here to go to the NSNA Resolutions webpage.

Michaela Pearson, Chair
NSNA Resolutions Committee
[email protected] (Att: Resolutions Chair)

Nominating and Elections Committee sends Greetings to all State Presidents

The upcoming MidYear Career Planning Conference  is quickly approaching.  It’s been a busy year so far, and the Nominating and Elections (NEC) is looking forward to meeting potential candidates from each state at the MidYear Career Planning Conference, and to assist these individuals as they begin their quest towards serving in a NSNA leadership position.
 
The NEC has planned several opportunities to meet with interested candidates, and to provide information and details regarding the application and election process.  These sessions are designed to answer questions about roles, qualifications, and application requirements for positions on the 2017-2018 NSNA Board of Directors and NEC.  These opportunities include:

• Information table in the Student Activity area
• Running for National Office Workshops on Friday and Saturday
• Roundtable discussions on Saturday evening, hosted by the NEC 
 
The NEC will participate in the COSP and will present an update to the Council of State Presidents. We encourage eligible State Presidents to consider running for a National NSNA office, and to encourage other State and Chapter leaders to explore these opportunities, as well.
  
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing you in Kansas City!

If you are interested in running for office, click here now.

Neva Farmer, Chair, Nominating and Elections Committee
NEC West, Chair: Neva Farmer, [email protected]
NEC South: Christina Petty, [email protected]
NEC North: Anna Hughart, [email protected]
NEC East: Taylor Tilton, [email protected]

  Foundation of the NSNA--Important News for You and to Share

• FNSNA Sports Zone -   Wear your favorite sport team jersey and attend the “FNSNA Sports Zone” fundraiser on Friday evening (November 11, 2016) at the MidYear Career Planning Conference. Funds raised will support the Disaster Relief Fund.  Test out your pitching ability or see how many baskets you can make in our very own sports zone!  For more information on this wonderful event, please visit www.nsna.org under the meetings page.
  
  
• The 2017-18 FNSNA undergraduate scholarship application is now available.  Please visit www.forevernursing.org and follow the links to the application website.  The deadline to submit a completed application is Friday, January 13, 2017.  For further information on scholarships, please contact the FNSNA at (718) 210-0705 or email [email protected] Attn: Foundation Scholarships.
  
  
• School clubs or official school chapters wishing to establish or enhance their involvement in NSNA may apply for the Marilyn Bagwell Leadership Development grant.  A grant of up to $2,500 is awarded to one school each year.  For more information or to complete an application please visit www.forevernursing.org
  

• New Leadership Grant Available - The FNSNA is pleased to announce a new grant opportunity for school chapters looking to unlock their leadership potential! The 3M Littmann Stethoscope Leadership Development Grant application is now available! School chapters can create and participate in a project that would enhance their involvement in NSNA and allow members to gain valuable leadership skills necessary for their future nursing careers. Recipient schools can receive a limited number of 3M Littman Stethoscopes to use at their discretion. For more information, visit www.forevernursing.org. 
  

  Administrative Update -- News You Can Use Right Now!

How to Invite an NSNA Board Member to Visit Your State
Did you know that you can invite an NSNA board member to attend your state convention? NSNA allocates a portion of its budget toward sending board members to state conventions. Requests for field visits are reviewed by the NSNA Executive Committee and should be submitted at least 30 days prior to your meeting. Decisions are based on the availability of a board member, cost, location, and any other considerations mentioned in your request. Please keep in mind that NSNA may not be able to accommodate your request for a specific board member. Also, NSNA board members are expected to attend their own state conventions. States with a national board member should take advantage of the opportunity to invite this official representative from NSNA to bring greetings at the convention. Click here for online form.

State Association Resources - An area for state association information has been developed on the website. Any ideas of what other information you would like to see posted.

Program Activities - Board Memos of the committees will be on individual committee web pages for all membership to view.  All summer and fall memos will open in PDF format. 

Getting the Pieces to Fit 2016/17 - Available online as downloadable PDF. Hard copies available upon request.
 
NSNA Membership Brochure
The membership recruitment campaign theme, “Paving Pathways, Finding Futures” highlights the many benefits and services available exclusively to NSNA members and encourages participation in leadership development. 

To request membership brochures click here, Membership Brochure Order Form.

NSNA MidYear Career Planning Conference Brochures
The conference offers students a variety of enriching and rewarding learning opportunities, including workshops, panel, exhibits, and NSNA State Board Mini Review.  To request MidYear brochures click here, MidYear Brochure Order Form.

Communication Schedule
As state presidents, you can expect to hear from the NSNA Board of Directors on a regular basis. Through the COSP Connection, broadcast emails, telephone calls and discussion on Facebook, the Board hopes to keep the channels of communication open between state presidents and the NSNA Board.  If you do not receive these communications from your NSNA Board contact, please contact Qiana Valenzuela at [email protected]  Attn: Qiana.

Share Your Activities Year Round!
The deadline for submissions to the next COSP Connection is February 21, 2017.
For those of you who attended the COSP, you experienced the importance of state presidents sharing their activities and their concerns.  Please submit ongoing activities and concerns that you experience at your state.  These items can be emailed to Qiana Valenzuela, [email protected], Attn: Qiana.