Members present: Sheryl Tack, Donna Seaberg, Heather Blyth-Foss, Allison McClane, Darlene Buckley, and Marianne Houlne.
Meeting called to order at 1006.
Secretary’s Report (Darlene):
Board members discussed the April 19, 2008 board meeting minutes and made changes. Darlene will e-mail the final copy of these minutes to board members for approval.
President’s Report (Heather):
Heather and Donna would like to thank the PNWSGNA board for sending them to the SGNA national conference in Salt Lake City. The board thanks you, Heather and Donna, for being PNWSGNA representatives!
Regional Night at SGNA
Board members discussed regional night at the SGNA conference. Thank you, Allison and Diane, for creating the PNWSGNA display! Members were disappointed that there were few networking opportunities at this regional night. Board members thought that SGNA should be given feedback and suggestions for future regional nights such as the need for a table for each regional society, and the need for representatives at each table. Board members would also like to make a professional poster to promote our region and a nylon regional banner which would be easily rolled up for travel.
Board members discussed ideas on how SGNA could promote/assist the various regional societies, especially at the SGNA conference. These ideas included: form a regional panel; have regional members together for a dinner or at a banquet; create panels with SGNA and ABCGN to interact with regional members; have SGNA staff/ facilitator travel to each region to assist with strategic planning; and visually identify various regions at the SGNA conference – perhaps using different colored badges or ribbons.
Director-at-Large Positions
Michelle, an RN from Anchorage, Alaska is interested in a director-at-large position. Heather emphasized that we must delineate the criteria and expectations for these director positions. Should these directors put on an event in their states?
Treasurer’s Report (Shanna):
Not present.
President-Elect’s Report (Donna):
Donna discussed the upcoming elections this year and called for new board members. A specific concern is the president-elect position opening since the eligibility requirements for this position limits the number of candidates. One idea for recruiting board members is to advertise on the home page of the PNWSGNA website, stating the availability of board positions. An application form will need to be created – Marianne, Bill, and Allison will work on this. Another recruitment idea would be to send postcard reminders for the election. A number could be printed on each card and winning numbers would be posted on the website for gift card prizes. Donna also emphasized that board members need to be promoted at the Fall Conference.
Past-President’s Report (Debbie):
Not present.
Director-at-Large (Rick):
Not present. Rick reported to Heather that he would be attending a board meeting in the future and that he continues to work on getting speakers for the 2009 conference.
Committee Reports
Membership (Allison):
Allison will be contacting SGNA for a current PNWSGNA membership list. She has sent information packets to all GI centers in our region and will plan to mail PNWSNA’s new pamphlet to all centers in the future.
Scholarship (Katie):
Not present.
Website Coordinator (Bill):
Bill reminded all board members that our pamphlet is a good reference and refers all members to the PNWSGNA website. He suggests that these pamphlets be given to vendors to pass out in their territories. An idea was presented to put a counter on the website to register hits to the site.
Education (Marianne):
Congratulations to Marianne! She was awarded the 2008 Certified Professional of the Year by the ABCGN at the SGNA 35th Annual Course in Salt Lake City. This honor is given to recognize the recipient’s dedication to enhance the practice of gastroenterology nursing through certification as well as their commitment and leadership among colleagues.
Vendor Coordinator (Louise):
Not present.
Vendor Sponsor (Sheryl):
Sheryl is working on the TAP grant application and will also be checking into lapel pins for board members to wear at conferences. The pins would identify them as a member of the “Board of Directors”.
Fall Conference Planning Committee (Darlene, Donna, Heather, & Louise):
A planning meeting is scheduled immediately after today’s board meeting. Members continue to plan speakers for the 2008 conference in Bellevue, WA. Darlene has begun the conference application process.
