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Dear WSGNA Members,
As we start to recover from the busy, end of the year, rush at work, many of us are seeing a “lull” in our work schedules. With many resolutions, we start settling into the New Year.
Before I look ahead to 2012, I’d like to reflect on many positive achievements in 2011. In May, WSGNA received the Outstanding Region Award from SGNA. Many of our members have presented courses at the national and regional levels; have served on both national and regional boards and committees and volunteer in their communities. It is because of you that we received this award, thank YOU! Plus, Susan Nuccio was also presented with the SGNA Distinguished Service Award. Thank you Susan for your work and dedication at the regional and national level! Our WSGNA conference in April and the multi-regional conference in October (hosted by Wisconsin) were both very successful and have allowed us to build funds as we move into 2012. Last, thanks to Lynn Miller for leading us as president in 2011. Her experience on the board and knowledge of our history has been very valuable as we move forward. Thanks, also, to Margaret Ullman and Casey Fisher as they finish their terms and move on.
Looking ahead to 2012 offers many opportunities for everyone to get involved. We will be rolling out an updated award, the WSGNA Distinguished Service Award. This formerly was known as the Sharon Worzalla Memorial Scholarship and will be reintroduced to everyone in the next month or two. Mark your calendars for April 14. Margaret Ullman is planning a Saturday morning webinar and one site will be Aurora Grafton. Again, more information will be coming shortly. The national conference is May 18-23rd in Phoenix this year. Please watch the website and newsletters for scholarship information. Scholarships are easy to apply for and certainly can help with the cost.
New to WSGNA – We now have a Facebook page! We will be updating our page with information, reminders, and any other information that may be of interest to you. Check us out and 'LIKE' us so that you can start getting updated information here.
March 28th is GI Nurses Day. Event planning is underway in 3 of 4 regions in the state. If anyone in Southwest Wisconsin (Madison and west, South of LaCrosse) would like to plan an evening speaker or networking activity, please contact me. WSGNA offers $750.00 per quadrant to assist in costs.
We are still working on a site for our fall conference. We are always looking for someone to host a conference. We have a manual and offer a board member to assist as needed. If you or your staff are interested or would like more information, please contact a board member. It is a lot of work but very rewarding. We welcome anyone, in any part of the state, to host. If 2013 is the year for you, let us know!
I am looking forward to my year as your president. 2012 is off to a good start. We have new and improved conferences, scholarships and communication methods. Please remember we serve our membership and I look forward to hearing from you. If there is something that you would like to see or do, contact me, or any board member. As we work together we can keep Wisconsin an Outstanding Region with outstanding members.
Cathy Johnson, RN, CGRN
WSGNA President, 2012