The only gift is a portion of thyself ... therefore the poet brings his poem; the shepherd his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing. This is right and pleasing, for it restores society in so far to its primary basis, when a man's biography is conveyed in his gift.... - -Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays: Gifts, Second Series (1844)
The moment has arrived for me to take on the responsibility for leadership of the great organization the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA), of which it has been my privilege to be a part since 1987. While approaching this time with eagerness and anticipation, I have also recognized the serious and thought-provoking aspects of this role. This opportunity means that in some way, each of you is taking a chance on me and the Board of Directors, leaders, and staff assembled this year. I am reminded, when I take on the responsibility of President, the "buck stops here. Wow!" To know that somehow, individual people in gastrointestinal (GI) nursing across the United States are willing to take a chance that under my watch of 2012-2013, this organization of ours (yours, mine, and those who follow) will benefit, fully support and promote our mission, and create value for each of us and those we serve. You are willing to take a chance on me, and I am honored and humbled.
So, as I sit thinking and writing, what embodies the SGNA for me and you? What did it take to come this far? Where did the time go? What have we accomplished, and what are our current needs? Who did we assist? Who did we let down? What have we gained, as individual human beings, SGNA members and leaders, and GI nurses and associates? Where are we still to go? To answer these questions, SGNA is introducing the 2012-2014 Strategic Plan. This plan encompassing education, evidence-based practice and research, and healthcare policy provides a 21st-century framework for our next steps-our organizational movement in tune with a bright tomorrow. To be integral to the development of this creative plan makes my SGNA enthusiasm soar! The SGNA Strategic Plan, however, resides not in ink on paper, but in each and every one of us. We are the people, here and now, who are and will be creating the artistic canvas as the plan unfolds.
Contribution is the key. Our individual and collective contribution to SGNA, in whatever capacity we find ourselves, is the critical factor to bring the plan into reality. One definition of contribution, found in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary online is "to help to cause something to happen." Of note, the word contribution comes from the Latin for "tribute," defined as "something given or contributed voluntarily as due or deserved; especially: a gift or service showing respect, gratitude, or affection." With every action we take as members of SGNA, we are part of the tribute, at all levels.
For more than 40 years, GI nurses and associates continue to make contribution a reality. Contribution, itself, presents continuous opportunity for each and every one of us. Contribution means that we are willing to take that next step. This step, no matter how tentative, is to step forward for others outside of family, friends, and mandated responsibilities. And, as GI nurses and associates taking that step, when and every time we do, we are growing, developing, and opening a path; we are creating the future that we envision. We are aiming higher!
Recently, I read that when they are developing, people move from a dependent life to an independent life to a contributive life. As the contributive self emerges, the results of our contribution send waves and ripples of effect outward; however, the result always returns to us. It is ours to recognize, relish, and cherish. The benefit is ours for the taking. SGNA is here today because someone somewhere was willing to contribute. Just look to some of the great leaders of recent times. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?" and President John F. Kennedy's famous speech said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
As I look at my own life, one of my greatest fortunes is to be surrounded by "contributors" at many levels and in so many capacities. My parents, even now, at the ages of 86 and 93 years, continue to contribute, not only within their family, but in society. In medicine and nursing, contributors were nearby from the early days of my youth, including an opportunity just after college to work alongside Dr. Sidney Sachs, who, in the mid-1970s, left a booming general surgery practice after 25 years, under much protest from many, in order to carve a path in the history of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. I have been inspired by oncology nurses, who were tireless in their efforts for the patients and inspired me to attend nursing school, and so many examples of GI physicians and nurses. Dr. Jeffrey Ponsky and nurse and chaplain Rev. Jill Kundtz, Dr. Peter Cotton, and Dr. Marilyn Schaffner, and so very many others, contribute and continue to contribute thought and action, time, energy, effort, insight, enthusiasm, and interest. What I notice about these contributors is that the more they contribute, the happier they become! The more they offer, the more they receive in a constantly widening circle.
In my life, I have so many stories of contributors and what they offer. Please ask me anytime and I will gladly share them with you. So, for us, today is our moment of contribution-no other day, no other place, not any other time. Let's continue to contribute to and for others. Most importantly, since we have made the decision to lead a contributive life, let's do so with eagerness and joy!
In the spirit of contribution, for ourselves and for each other, we will make the SGNA Strategic Plan come to life before our very eyes. As President, I am absolutely honored to continue to contribute. I am humbled that each of you has provided me with this unique opportunity. I challenge you to create your own stories of contribution and am eager to hear them as you share them with me, whenever we have an opportunity. Let's remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson, so eloquently, stated, "...every gift is a portion of thyself, so the poet brings his poem, and the shepherd, his lamb." Let's give the gift of happy contribution in our respective roles in SGNA and ultimately, let's "aim higher"...igniting our own limitless potential to create the brightest of tomorrows!