President's Greetings

Greetings and welcome to our Fall update!

Your new 2011-2012 Alpha Eta chapter Board of Directors is now in place and has ‘hit the ground running’! Their first meeting was in June even before their term began, so that they could spend time with the previous office holders (otherwise known as the 2010-2011 AEC Board). This gave the members of the new Board a chance to learn what they needed to know, before they started the position. After a short break for summer, they met again in early September to plan the Chapter events for the next academic year. You can see from the updated Calendar that we have managed to provide several opportunities for you to join with your fellow Sigma Theta Tau members. Please fell free to attend our AEC Board meetings as well as the special events!

Our annual Research program will be held on Tuesday November 15th from 6-8pm in the School of Nursing, room N 217 and we have already made plans for both the annual Leadership program next Spring, and the June Induction ceremony/Annual Business meeting. Remember, this is your chapter so please feel free to attend any and all of the events. We are also working on creating a vigorous Community Service program. As you can see from the calendar, we have set aside the second Saturday of every month, so that we can plan to attend the service opportunities that Yvonne Chan finds for us!

In early Spring 2012, the Governance committee will began the annual membership drive. This small committee of four dedicated nurses is led by Cathy Bain as AEC Counselor. In February, they will review all the applications for membership, and all the accompanying letters of recommendation, and in April, they will submit the names for Board approval.

The other very important event that occurs in January is the deadline for the Research Award applications. . The Leadership Succession committee, led by John Merriman, will review the applications, with the help of volunteers. And speaking of Awards, this committee just submitted their own applications~ on behalf of the AEC they submitted for the Regional Excellence awards from Sigma Theta Tau. We have just received words that we are the recipients of four awards!

Finally, let’s not forget the hard work behind the scenes! Your treasurer, Maria Gudmundsdottir, has maintained accurate accounting, and has provided your Board with thorough reports. The Board has made the difficult decision, based on finances, that we can no longer afford over $8000 annual CPA fees. Under the leadership of your new President-elect, Shirley Manly-Lampkin, we are establishing a Finance committee to have oversight for our finances, including all the compliance that we must have for STTI (and the IRS) to maintain our non-profit status. And Shirley and Yvonne are on their way to the STTI Biennial Convention (http://www.nursingsociety.org/default.aspx) to represent your Alpha Eta chapter. Again, as your President, it is my pleasure to work with this exceptional group of volunteers who are committed to keeping the high standard that the Alpha Eta chapter has always enjoyed! My thanks to them all!

Take care, Lou