AACN News—April 2005

Vol. 22, No. 4, APRIL 2005

Chapters Making Critical Links in Membership Drive

Three chapters stepped up their member recruitment during February, but their efforts weren’t enough to catch the Coastal Bend Chapter as AACN’s Critical Links membership drive headed into its final month. As of the end of February, the Coastal Bend Chapter had recruited 91 new members. This year’s campaign ends March 31.

It was among 87 chapters participating in the campaign in February. The total now stands at 3,897 new members recruited by individuals and chapters since the campaign began May 1

The Old Salem Chapter in North Carolina recruited an impressive 15 new members in February for a total of 57 to move into third place behind the Greater Washington Area Chapter in Maryland, whose total was 59. The 19 members recruited by the Houston Gulf Coast Chapter doubled its total of 38, moving it into the top 10 at eight. And, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter also moved into the top 10, recruiting 11 new members in February to bring its total to 32.

Other chapters that have recruited more than 20 new members in the campaign are Greater Birmingham Chapter (46), Brooklyn Chapter (43), Greater St. Louis Chapter (39), Greater Miami Area Chapter (38), Greater Raleigh Area Chapter (29), Chattanooga Scenic City Chapter (27) Greater Cincinnati Chapter (26) Northwest Chicago Area Chapter (25) Spindletop Chapter (24), Ancient City Chapter (23), Greater Reading Chapter (22) and Atlanta Area Chapter (20).

The Rewards
Chapters participating in the campaign were eligible for prizes that included one complimentary NTI registration drawn each month. In addition, the chapters with the largest increase in membership and with the largest percentage increase in members during the campaign received $250 gift certificates toward the purchase of AACN products or services, as well as a recognition certificate.

The Greater Kansas City Chapter received the complimentary NTI registration in the monthly prize drawing for February.

For additonal information and complete recruitment totals, visit the AACN Web site.

AACN Launches Chapter Listserv

An AACN chapter listserv designed to enhance communication and networking opportunities among chapter members and constituents at the local level is now available.

The service follows a six-month pilot project carried out with the assistance of chapter leaders and advisers in six AACN regions: Region 4 (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia), Region 7 (Florida), Region 11 (Kentucky and Tennessee), Region 18 (Alaska, Idaho, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington) and Region 19 (California).

By enhancing communication, the chapter listserv is intended to make it easier for chapter members and constituents to connect and build relationships beyond geographic borders. It will be comprised of AACN chapter volunteers in leadership positions at the local level who have responsibility for chapter resource management and strategic development.

For now, it will include chapter advisers and those in chapter leadership positions, including president, president-elect, treasurer, secretary and other board or committee positions. AACN chapter listserv members are expected to contribute on a regular basis and act in accordance with the norms and values of AACN.

For more details and to join the listserv, simply visit the AACN Web site at www.aacn.org.

NTI Sessions Geared to Chapters

AACN’s National Teaching Institute and Critical Care Exposition, May 7 through 12 in New Orleans, La., offers a wealth of education geared to chapter interests.
Among the topics scheduled for concurrent sessions are:
• Chapter vs. Chaptering: Taking Action
• Living Your Contribution One Penny at a Time
• Chapter Elections: Keys to a Successful Leadership Transition
• You’re Hired! Mentoring Your Chapter “Apprentice”
• Great Idea! Incorporating Creativity Into Chapter Operations

For more information, call (800) 899-2226 or visit the AACN Web site.

Welcome Back, Gate City Chapter

Welcome back to the Gate City Chapter, recently rechartered in the Greensboro, N.C., area. The chapter officers are:

President Edward White, RN, MN, MS, CCRN
President-elect Jenny Sandoval, RN, MSN, PhD
Secretary David Rees, RN, BS, BSN, CCRN
Treasurer Teresa Crite, RN, BSN, TNCC

What's on Tap

Arizona
The Greater Phoenix Area Chapter will present “CEUs on the Road to Nursing and Pain Management” on April 16. For more information, contact Jennifer Thomas at (480) 917-0482; e-mail, azjat@juno.com.

The Greater Phoenix Area Chapter will present “Acute Coronary Syndromes” on May 5 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. For more information, contact Corrine Lunt at (602) 765-8373.

Florida
The Broward County Chapter will present its 30th annual spring seminar, “Join the Revolution: Live Your Contribution,” on April 14 and 15 at the Signature Grand, Davie. For more information, contact Janis Smith-Love at (954) 565-2182; e-mail, smithlovej@msn.com.

Georgia
The Southwest Georgia Chapter will present a “Circle of Excellence Conference” on April 29 at Phoebe Northwest, Albany. For more information, contact Cindi Noe at (229) 312-5211; e-mail, cnoe@ppmh.org.

Illinois
The Northwest Chicago Area Chapter will present “Organ Donation After Cardiac Death” on April 20 at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights. For more information, contact Charlene Cioe at (708) 352-1200, ext. 4939; e-mail, Charlene.Cioe@AHSS.org.

The Greater Chicago Area Chapter will present “Seizure/Neuro Update” on May 10 at Resurrection Medical Center. For more information, contact Lori Marcantonio at (847) 722-4354; e-mail, gcac_aacn@yahoo.com.

The Northwest Chicago Area Chapter will present “Chapter Case Studies or Innovative Idea Chatter Evening” on May 18 at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington. For more information, contact Charlene Cioe at (708) 352-1200, ext. 4939; e-mail, Charlene.Cioe@AHSS.org

Maryland
The Chesapeake Bay Chapter will present an Adult CCRN Review April 19 through 21 at Franklin Square Hospital, Baltimore. For more information, contact Karen Droter at (410) 248-9353; e-mail, MDroter@aol.com.

Pennsylvania
The Three Rivers Chapter will present “Concepts in Critical Care 2005” on April 18 and 19 at the Sheraton by Four Points, Warrendale. For more information, contact Wendy Grbach at (412) 751-0752; e-mail, grbachwj@upmc.edu.

Virginia
The Greater Richmond Area Chapter will present a CCRN Prep Test on April 27 and 28 at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. For more information, e-mail Phyllis Turner at grac.info@aacn.org.

Is your chapter planning a program or special event? Submit your information online at www.aacn.org.