Northeast Wisconsin District Nurses Association

General Membership Meeting Minutes

April 20, 2004 - (Corrected 6/1/04 at the direction of the secretary)

Eagles Nest Supper Club

Presiding: Bonnie Groessl

Recording: Jane Delveaux

Present: Bonnie Groessl, Sandy Czachor, Flo Trondson, Sherri Szgepanski, Carol Morris, Helen Smits, Leona Waraksa, Barbara Bauer, Tracy Slater, Sharon McNulty, Mary McDougall, Katie Dykes, Judy Friederichs, Karen Bellin, Jane Muhl, Ruth Feldhaus, Carol Felhofer, Terri.Vandenhouten, Jane Delveaux.

Guest: Sharon Harder, Representing Region 3

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1815 by President Bonnie Groessl.

Introductions: Guest Sharon Harder, Representing Region 3.

Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and approved by voice vote.

Treasurer’s Report: Printed reports of Checking, and Transaction Reports for 03/01/04 Through 03/31/04 were distributed and approved by voice vote. Budget Proposal for 2004-2005 also distributed.

Region #3 Report: Bonnie Groessl indicated that the NEWDNA would begin taking the initiative to invite and encourage other districts to attend NEWDNA functions as had been determined by the membership previously. Holding Virtual Meetings is a new idea being studied. Members are encouraged to take the time to go to the WNA website and complete the survey. www.wisconsinnurses.org. Sharon Harder requested that anyone planning on attending the ANA Convention in Minneapolis should let Bonnie know. Bonnie will get that information to Sue Carter who would like to be informed on the number of Wisconsin nurses attending. It is hoped that there will be a good showing.

Committee Reports: Annual Reports will be posted to the NEWDNA website. Printed copies will be available upon request.

FINANCE: No Report. See New Business

PROGRAM: No Report. See New Business

LEGISLATIVE: Judy Friederichs, Chairperson. A reminder was given that the Legislative Committee is sponsoring a program featuring Jay Hack, Executive Director for Common Cause. This is an organization that advocates finance reform and honest open accountable government. Topics of the presentation will be Campaign Finance Reform and How Can Nursing Reform Affect Me. The event will take place on May 18, 2004 at the General Membership meeting which will be held at the Eagles’ Nest , in the private dining area if possible. The evening will begin with a Social Hour at 1730. Other organizations will be invited. Flyers will be placed in the newsletters. It is always open to nursing students. Judy also mentioned that the Legislative Committee could use more members.

WINPAC: No report

PUBLICITY: No report. See New Business

MEMBERSHIP: There were two or three new members in the last three months.

NOMINATIONS: Carol Felhofer, Chairperson. Ballots were presented to the membership. Nominations: Julie Zeeman for Vice President, Brenda Tyczkowski for Treasurer, Connie Korger, John Mapes, Teri Vandenhouten, Becky Sue Wolf, for Board membership,and Sharon McNulty and Sherri Szcepanski for Nominating Committee. After brief discussion, voting took place and ballots were collected.

 

Election results replacing outgoing officers: Julie Zeeman new Vice President for Carol Morris who moves into the President’s position. Outgoing President Bonnie Groessl takes over the Past President position, a one year term, for outgoing Katie Dykes. Brenda Tyczkowski re-elected Treasurer for a one year term.

New Board members elected for three year terms: Connie Korger, John Mapes, and Terry Vandenhouten,.

Sharon McNulty and Sherri Szcepanski elected for two-year terms to the Nominating Committee.

Florence Trondsman and Leda Janke have one more year to serve on the Nominating Committee. Florence agreed to be the Chair.

A motion was made by Jane Muhl to destroy the ballots. A voice vote was taken to destroy the ballots and passed unanimously. This was then done.

The Nominating Committee will send letters to the newly elected officers.

BYLAWS: Carol Morris, Chairperson. The committee met and made minor changes to improve the accuracy of the Bylaws and make it more reflective of what the organization does. Names and functions of all active committees were updated. This meant adding more committees to be Bylaws as this more accurately reflects the functioning of our organization. A clause was added indicating that the Board can approve technical changes without bringing this action to a vote of the entire membership. Job descriptions for officers still need attention. Completion date is November. At this time the document will be brought to the membership for consent. It will be sent to the NEWDNA website where it can be reviewed.

AWARDS: Laona Waraksa named NEWDNA Nurse of the Year. See New Business.

NURSES DAY: The event will be held May 6, 2004 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the DePere Community Center. Extra volunteers agreed to help. .

OLD BUSINESS: Issues were dealt with during Committee Reports.

NEW BUSINESS: The topics for discussion for the evening were:

  1. Budget shortfall for 2004-2005 will be the difference between the $ 3,062 budgeted and the $ 2,015 projected income. Membership has dropped from 158 to 132.
  2. Fundraising ideas presented:
    bulletWork on recruitment ideas at the May meeting.
    bulletPost ads on the website.
    bulletCharge for speakers.
    bulletBring applications for membership to scheduled programs.
    bulletCheck with Optimist Clubs for membership drive.
    bulletPut together a "bag" of PR materials and distribute to attendees on Nurses Day. Ruth Feldhaus volunteered to get this done.
    bulletAsk Julie Zeeman about ideas that would get young RNs involved.
  3. Nominating Committee budget:
    bulletA motion was made by Judy Friederichs to approve an additional $ 10 for the Nominating Committee’s budget to cover increased costs. Motion passed unanimously.
  4. Pharmaceutical Sponsorships of NEWDNA programs. Pros and Cons:

    Pros:
    bulletContent of subject material is controlled by NEWDNA.
    bulletPrograms offered this year have been extremely informational and well done. The Program Committee schedules programs that will provide the best balance for the membership.
    bulletHealth care is a business. Programs can be presented without ethical dilemmas.
    bulletThe intent is to educate nurses in combination with socialization.
    bulletThis can be used as an opportunity to increase membership.
    bulletNew RN needs can be targeted to build excellence/ professionalism.
    bulletAdvanced practice nurses identify information presented as beneficial.
    bulletAnnual CEUs may be offered by NEWDNA if desired.

    Cons:

    bulletDraws more attendance for the free meal and cocktails than the content.
    bulletHas received sharp criticism from supporters of the NEWDNA who have indicated that they believe it is a questionable and disappointing practice.

    CONCLUSIONS: Bring this back to the Program Committee and ask Julie Zeeman to be the Chairperson.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS:

    1. Bonnie Grossl agreed to chair the Unity Night.. She is also the Co-Chair of Sigma Theda Tau.
    2. Read STAT and NursingMatters for news on Wisconsin Registered Nurses Association (WRNA). This is not to be confused with the WNA and seems to be an organized labor movement which has been drawing limited interest in areas where meetings are being held. It appears that Green Bay will be a target area soon.
    3. Leona Waraksa presented the 2003-2004 NEWDNA Nurse of the Year Award to Katie Dykes along with the congratulations of the membership.
    4. Katie Dykes, was recognized for her contributions as Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and participation in multiple community activities with a featured story in the Green Bay Press Gazette.

    Next Meeting:

    May 18, 2004 at the Eagles Nest

    1730 Social Hour

    1800 Dinner/Meeting

    Presentation by Jay Hack, Executive Director for Common Cause.

    Topic: How Can Nursing Reform Affect Me.

    Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 1940 hours.

    Respectfully Submitted: Jane Delveaux, RN NEWDNA Secretary

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