The holidays tend to have us look back at the past year and evaluate goals that we have achieved or not achieved. NAON members are not immune to this annual ritual. As an association, we also look at the goals that have been set forth by our strategic plan and evaluate how we have best served the membership. We began the year looking toward endless possibilities and have been developing partnerships with new sponsors. We have seen NAON's visibility grow as our work on ATV legislation has been highlighted in a book on Politics and Healthcare Policy. The inclusion of our pin site care guidelines in a national clearinghouse and the dialoging with other associations regarding partnering opportunities all help our efforts to advance the profession by reaching out to the other speciality areas and to our future colleagues, our students.
As we evaluate this past year, we are grateful that our membership numbers have surpassed 6,000 but are saddened by the tragic losses that have occurred in our southern states. As I sit down to write this message, it is shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast. I have received countless messages from NAON members requesting information on how we can help those affected by the devastating effects of this natural disaster that has somehow left an unnatural feeling of sadness and helplessness among our members and our nation. It is difficult to guide members to sites for donations, although we have posted many on our Web site. It is equally difficult to think of the members affected by such loss of homes and places of employment. If there is one thing that I can say truly touched me was seeing nurses come together to help not only their patients but also each other. Whether you saw it on television, or had the opportunity to hear about it by word of mouth or e-mail, nurses became more than just "angels of mercy," we became stronger and more powerful because of our sense of organization, our critical-thinking skills, our compassion and caring, and our longing to make a difference.
I have been fortunate to be in this position where I am informed of others' activities and have tried passing on information via our Web page. I would like to have our members be up to date on these as well. If you were active in assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina, please contact NAON and let us share your experiences. We are not exempt from disasters, unfortunately, and learn from what others have been through. My desire is to have members share their information at Congress and in our Web site and written publications. If you were affected by tragedy or know of someone who was, let us know so that we can also give a hand to others. I would be happy to see if chapters or MAL members would be willing to help sponsor members to attend our educational offerings and Congress. I would equally be happy to see if we can aid in rebuilding homes by donating funds to charities that would assist with this, beyond the charities of which we have already been made aware.
We live in an ever-changing world, one that is not always kind to us, as we have seen at the beginning of 2005 with the tsunami and as it concludes with the hurricane, but as the new year approaches, I see a bright future not only for the members of our association but also for all of those around us. We are only as strong as those who support us through difficult times. The rough period that some of us have experienced will, I hope, pass quickly, and my desire for all of you is that you will experience much prosperity in 2006. NAON is so privileged to have generous members who not only give through active donations but also by giving of themselves. As someone who has benefited from the support of others, I can personally attest to this. Let us know if there are other ways that we can lend a helping hand. Meanwhile, I wish you all happy holidays, whether it be a Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, or other celebration. May the peace of the season, bring peace, joy, and hope to you all!!