Wisconsin State Association of Occupational Health Nurses

WSAOHN President’s Report: September 2017- August 2018

Posted over 5 years ago by Nicole Meighen

This has been a positive year for your organization. In my first year serving as your president I have been privileged to work with a talented group of professionals.  It has been a pleasure to meet more members. I anticipate increasing outreach in the next year and look forward to meeting each of you.   

Your board of directors has set & made progress on goals this year.

2018 BOD

Past President

Cindy Schaefer

 

Director- NW

Wendy Darm

President

Renee VandenBusch

 

Director- SE

Melanie Rivet

Vice President

Patricia Olson

 

Director- SC

Cindy Groves

Secretary

Jen Mora

 

Director- WW

Sarah Schmitz

Treasurer

Chris Mol

 

Nominations- NW

Nicole Meighen

 

 

 

Nominations-SE

Cecile Pohl

 

 

 

Nominations- SC

Cindy Firari

 

 

 

Nominations- WW

Open

Education

Jessie Kois

 

 

 

 

Sarah Schmitz

 

 

 

Awards

Cindy Schaefer

 

 

 

 

Kat Cyganiak

 

 

 

Webmaster

Nicole Meighen

 

 

 

Bylaws/Govn’t

Cindy Groves

 

 

 

 

2018 Board of Directors Goals

Develop formal process for scholarships for future conferences

    • Objective: Support of members to access quality continuing education
    • Action steps
      1. WSAOHN will sponsor one day of conference fees to each chapter that agrees to sponsor a second member for one day of conference fees. Each Chapter will determine the method to choose the members sponsored. (achieved)
      2. Chapter Directors will communicate process to chapters, notify WSAOHN treasurer of participation and names of two members (one sponsored by Chapter and one sponsored by state) 30 days prior to Midwest conference annually (achieved)
      3. WSAOHN treasurer will provide one day registration to a maximum of 4 members annually and determine if budget continues to support program annually. (achieved)
    • Team: Cindy Groves, Cindy Schaefer, Kat Cyganiak, Renee VandenBusch

Continue to develop strategies to keep members engaged and connected to the BOD.

    • Objective: Engagement of members into board activities in support of occupational health nurses
    • Action steps
      1. Experienced member will set up Chapter president resource calls quarterly (2018-Cindy) (achieved)
      2. Maintain website with directors’ reports, CEU opportunities, legislative updates (webmaster and directors) (achieved)
    • Team: Renee VandenBusch, Nicole Meighen, Cindy Schaefer

Develop a strategy to support occupational health in the future

    • Objective: Forward thinking to prepare membership to be an occupational health nurse in the future (5/10 years). Shape future of occupational health nursing.
    • Action steps
      1. Develop toolkit for new to occupational health nurse resourcing
      2. Adapt M. Rivet PowerPoint into toolkit
    • Team: Pat Olson, Melanie Rivet (in progress)

Strengthen business connections

    • Objective: Liaison with business to obtain support and business perspective; increase awareness of business on value and competency of OHN’s.
    • Action steps
      1. Develop toolkit for outreach to business leaders
    • Team: Pat Olson, Melanie Rivet, Renee VandenBusch (need to re-develop)

Focus on business continuity for all board positions

    • Objectives: preparation for future and continuity of position
    • Action steps
      1. BOD members to work with new individuals to groom/create comfort with offices
      2. Policy and procedure document is updated and provides resource for new officer.
    • Team: Chris Mol; Renee VandenBusch, Jen Mora, Cindy Groves, Melanie Rivet, Sarah Schmitz, Wendy Darm- as transitions occur (achieved)

Maintaining membership numbers over the most recent years has been difficult. Declines have been seen in each Chapter, the state and Nationally.  We have noted most of our decline has been due to retirements of our members and many companies are not hiring full time health professionals.  We have welcomed all new members via email and hope to maintain as many as possible with frequent touch points throughout the year. We have found that co-workers encouragement to join and policy making that outlines membership as a benefit to professional growth have positive impacts on membership.

This year we can celebrate another successful Midwest Regional Occupational Health Conference. The speakers and facilities were excellent.  Thank you to our education committee of Jessie Kois and Sarah Schmitz. This year we had 6 entries in the Great Hall of Ideas poster presentation.  Each entry was awarded a $25 participation award.  CEU’s were offered for the full collection and voting by all conference participants determined winners of the $300, $200 and $100 awards.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your WSAOHN president this past year. Please reach out to me with any concerns or great ideas you have to make our organization even better in the next year.

Respectfully submitted,

Renee VandenBusch RN COHN-S