2013-2014: Taking Action
To remain viable, associations must evolve. New technology, new theories, new regulations, and new practices often prompt associations to implement changes. ANNA has taken action this year by approving the Bylaws amendment to remove the regional structure of the organization so that all members of the Board of Directors (BOD) are elected nationally. The Bylaws change effected not only a change in the role of the Regional Vice Presidents to a new role as Directors, but it also impacted communication with and support of ANNA chapters. A new structure – the ANNA Chapter Support Team (ACST) – has been formed to assume these responsibilities. Chapter Presidents who attended the Volunteer Leaders Workshop in Las Vegas were able to meet and interact with their ACST support member.
Strength-Based Leadership
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report identifies the significance of leadership at every level of nursing and the need for innovative and creative ways to promote nursing leadership across all practice settings (2010). ANNA recognizes the need for strong and competent nurse leaders and has approved a Road to Success program. This program will assist volunteer leaders to identify and build on their strengths. In conjunction with the development of strength assessments, the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) has provided a list of educational resources currently available in ANNA’s Online Library. This program is available to ANNA members who are thinking of seeking an ANNA leadership role in the future and to ANNA leaders currently in a role who need to expand their knowledge base in a particular area. The strength assessments and resource lists are available on the ANNA website for utilization by any ANNA member. Click here for more information regarding the Road to Success program.
2013-2014 Organizational Chart
Each year the ANNA President-Elect is responsible for reaffirming continuing leaders and appointing new leaders for ANNA’s various committee, specialty practice network (SPN), and representative roles. This work is done following discussion with the current BOD Liaison for those committees/groups and discussion with the current leaders/representatives. After the leaders are identified, the President-Elect then selects the BOD member most appropriate to function as Liaison for the committee, group, or representative for the coming year. The 2013-2014 Board-approved Organizational Chart reflects this process.
There are several changes this year to the Leadership Development Committee (LDC), Health Policy Committee, Specialty Practice Networks (SPNs), and ANNA Connected. The LDC has two priorities; leadership development and the Volunteer Leaders Workshop (VLW). An additional member, a VLW Advisor, has been added to assist the committee in their newly expanded role with the Road to Success program.
Revisions to the Health Policy Committee reflect the change in ANNA’s organizational structure, moving from the previous four regional advisors to six “at large” Advisors. The Advisors will work closely with the ACST team to ensure health policy support for all the chapters. A SPN Liaison role has been added to assist with increased communication and the continued evolution from the previous Special Interest Group (SIG) format. In addition, the ANNA Connected Advisor role has evolved to a Publications and Electronic Media Advisor role.
New Strategic Plan
The Board of Directors took action when they met in February 2013 for a Strategic Planning retreat. We agreed that our target member is the nephrology nurse, and we should stay focused on the needs of that nurse! We also recognized that we could do better at serving the nephrology nurse, and one way of doing that is to strategically strengthen and expand our relationships with dialysis organizations as well as with transplant programs. We also believe that ANNA must be the voice for nephrology nurses and their patients at decision-making tables: we have worked hard this year to have ANNA represented at those tables, and will be continuing that work.
The changes to ANNA’s mission, goals, strategic actions, and initiatives were discussed during the Town Hall session at the National Symposium in Las Vegas. Work plans for implementing the initiatives will be placed on the ANNA website so that all can follow the progress of the plan. Click here to view the new Strategic Plan.
Implementation ~ Achieving Our Goals
Implementation is the carrying out, execution, or practice of a plan, a method for doing something. Therefore, implementation is the actions taken to ensure that something actually happens. Many times we have great ideas and great intentions, but they are not implemented. This year our goal is to ensure that these great ideas, programs, projects, and initiatives are implemented. It is not just the Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, SPN Leaders, and Chapter Leaders who can accomplish this goal; we need every ANNA member to take action to ensure we achieve the Mission and Goals of ANNA. Thank you for joining us on this journey!
Norma Gomez, MBA, MSN, RN, CNN
ANNA President
Tennessee Valley Chapter #264
Reference
Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine. (2010, October 5). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.