Note from President: AAOHN Restructure

Hello WSAOHN Members:

As an AAOHN member, we want to make sure you are aware of an important initiative that AAOHN sees as critical to its future and growth of the organization.

Based on member feedback, the Chapter Challenges Taskforce and the AAOHN Board of Directors is proposing bylaw changes that would allow for an Optional Chapter Membership Structure. The new model would provide new and renewing members the option to join the state, local or regional chapter of their choosing, or no chapter at all, depending on their needs.

       Option 1: National membership only, $165 annually—a $20 savings over current dues.

       Option 2:  National membership + Chapter(s)—In current model this could add up to $55 annually.

With this new structure, there are benefits to the national organization as well as some positives for the local chapter(s), but also drawbacks. I encourage you to review all the details about the Optional Chapter Membership Structure at http://aaohn.org/page/optional-chapter-structure. Also, please read the Nov. 15, 2018 email from Kaye Englebrecht, AAOHN Executive Director, which considers business perspectives. An AAOHN Town Hall meeting is planned for Thursday, Dec. 6 at 11am CT to share more.

Personally, we understand the need to transform the organization for the future to address challenges in membership. However, we want membership to also be aware that such changes at the National level will likely result in changes to the Wisconsin chapter structure with which we are familiar. Given the choices members will have to join any or none of the local, state, and/or regional chapters, membership may fall off locally, and our board may need to reconfigure offerings or consider things like chapter consolidation or dissolution as the current treasury will become depleted if there is little to no income.

As part of your leadership team, we ask you to consider what really drives you to belong. Is membership to AAOHN important because of the national conference and associated discount or maybe the free webinars offered? Or maybe the journal is something you read religiously because you get info to keep you current for certifications you hold. Maybe you value the relationships built and connections you’ve make with those closer to home.  If the Wisconsin Chapter structure were to change, it’s possible that the annual state conference might change and other offerings might get reconfigured as well.

Watch for more communication during early 2019 which will include a survey to better understand the needs and interests of Wisconsin members and how you would like the organization to support you moving forward. This will help to inform the local board(s) so they can have discussion about moving ahead for success.

For now, we want to support you being an informed member, encourage your review of the proposed bylaw changes and remind you to vote between Jan. 4-Feb. 4, 2019. Attached is a copy of the proposed bylaw changes. Remember your membership must be current in order to vote so get your renewals in.

Thanks for your thoughtful review on this important decision that could impact AAOHN’s future growth. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call/email your WSAOHN director

SCWAOHN; Cindy Groves cgroves@beloithealthsystem.org,

SEWAOHN; Melanie Rivet Melaniesrivet@gmail.com,

WWAOHN Ward Evenson, wevenson@logisticshealth.com;

NWAOHN Wendy Darm, darm.wa@pg.com)

Or president, Renee VandenBusch (vandenbusch.rm@pg.com).

Sincerely,

Renee VandenBusch WSAOHN President & Cindy Schafer WSAOHN Past President