As ASPSN's incoming President for 2006, I had the opportunity to attend the Nursing Organizations Alliance (NOA) meeting in San Antonio, Texas. NOA is an organization that brings together presidents of various nursing organizations from around the country. This year NOA had representatives from 98 different nursing organizations. During the course of the conference, presidents had the chance to discuss issues affecting their respective organizations. Issues such as membership and recruitment, volunteerism, finances, member benefits, and management styles were discussed, and strategies were suggested to address each.
During one of the lectures, NSO's keynote speaker, Glen Tecker, President and CEO of Tecker Consultants, discussed the importance of nurses finding a way to unite in order to establish themselves as the official voice of the patient-not just within our own specialties, but within the political, insurance, and lay arenas as well. Glen called for all nursing organizations to join in that effort, "For if we don't," Glen warned, "someone else will." I shudder to think who that "other" might be. I will keep you posted on strategies to accomplish this task as they develop.
I was impressed with all aspects of NOA, from the conference organization to the topics discussed; there was an air of excitement and collaboration among the presidents of all the various organizations. I left feeling proud not only because I was able to represent ASPSN at this powerful gathering, but also because of the powerful reinforcement in knowing that I am a nurse-reconfirming that the work we do through our various organizations helps us to help our patients, not only with their physical challenges but with their emotional ones as well. As nurses, we are holistic in our approach to healing, knowing that even though we are responsible to our respective employers, we are first and foremost responsible to and for our patients. As nurses, we truly are the ultimate patient advocate.
I believe that working within the confines of ASPSN gives us the chance to advocate for all our patients, collectively. Whether our focus is aesthetic, reconstructive, adult, pediatric, or manufacturing, to name a few, donating time to enhance and grow this organization ultimately benefits our patients and has the added benefit of helping our own professional/personal growth.
Having the opportunity to serve as your President is an awesome responsibility, and I take that responsibility seriously. As you already know, we are in the process of completing a transition to a new management company, Puetz and Associates. I hope you will be as excited about the results of this transition as the Board believes you will be. Belinda Puetz's experience with nursing organizations and insight into our current financial situation makes her management team the perfect fit for ASPSN. Together, we have developed a set of goals that will help ASPSN not only reestablish itself financially, but also will bring positive and visible changes to ASPSN as an organization.
The importance of establishing goals is well known and supported through research. Goals are objectives or targets on which to focus. They are usually defined as short- and long-term and provide the frame work from which our actions emanate. Established goals give us direction and let us know where we are going and exactly what we are working toward. Goals also provide incentives and can create such magnetic power that they literally propel us toward success. Yet to me, the most amazing thing about goals is that they keep us on course when obstacles and stumbling blocks make progress slow and difficult.
ASPSN has these established goals, known to all as the Strategic Plan. This plan was reviewed by Tracey Hotta in the April-June 2005 issue of PSN (25:2). I invite you to review these goals and join me as we complete our transition, begin to move forward, and establish ourselves as the official voice of every plastic surgical patient through consumer recognition and political clout. Are you willing to join us as an active member of this challenge, or do you prefer to allow others to dictate what direction ASPSN will take? ASPSN is your organization, and the board is here to serve you. What do you want form ASPSN? What goals, dreams, and passions do you have for your society? Are you passionate enough to get involved? Volunteerism is an essential part of ASPSN's success, for "many hands make light work."
Years ago, I read a story by Marcia Brown written in 1947 entitled, Stone Soup. I leave you to reflect on my remembrance of this story (as follows below) and hope that you will consider becoming active in helping ASPSN achieve the society's goal of providing the best to our patients and ourselves. ASPSN is the voice of its membership. Let your voice be heard, for we are all listening.
Years ago a small group of soldiers had been separated from their battalion. They had walked many miles and were very tired and hungry. When they came to a village, they decided to stop and ask the villagers for help. One by one, they knocked on the doors and ask for food. Sadly, each time they did, they were turned down. You see, the village was a very poor village and the villagers didn't have much food to spare. However, the soldiers did not get discouraged and, instead, came up with a brilliant idea. They returned to the homes they had just visited, only this time they asked one for a big pot, another for a few stones from their garden, and a third for some water from their well. When the soldiers were asked what they wanted these things for, the soldiers replied that they were about to make Stone Soup. "Stone soup, what's that?" asked one villager. "Only the most delicious soup in the world," replied one of the soldiers. "Would you like to join us for some, we'll have plenty," stated another soldier. The villagers looked excited about the prospect of this strange new soup and all agreed that they would like to try some. The fire was built, the stones and water added to the pot and the soldiers began to stir this strange concoction.
"I can think of one thing that would make this soup even better," said one of the soldiers out loud. "What," asked the villagers? "Some carrots," replied the soldier. "I have some carrots, I'll get them," hollered one of the villagers, and he soon returned with a big bunch of carrots that were cut up and added to the pot. "Some beef," said another soldier, "would make the soup even better." The other soldiers agreed. "I have some beef," shouted another villager. "I'll get it," and soon he returned with a huge hunk of beef. One by one the soldiers requested an item, and one by one the villagers offered to donate that item to the pot. Soon the soup was ready. When the soldiers and villagers were finished eating, the villagers cried out that this was indeed the most delicious soup they had ever eaten.
When I reread this story recently, I couldn't help thinking of our association. I was struck by how the modest individual contributions made by each of the villagers helped turn a pot of stones into a delicious and satisfying soup, enough to feed the entire village.
As I compare the above story to ASPSN, I am struck by the similarity between the two. Representing the pot is our new management company, for they will supply the structure to help ASPSN remain focused and grounded in our goal of financial stability, membership growth, and educational development. ASPSN's Board will supply the stones, the ideas and guidance to move forward. The regional directors represent the water, like the stream that eventually flows into a river, as they share important information and knowledge to chapter's coordinators and chapter chairs, who in turn share that knowledge with chapter members. As your President, it is my job to supply the fire-to ignite your passion to get involved. But it is only you, the membership who can supply the essential ingredients to turn our stones into a delicious soup. A perpetuating soup that will be able to feed and satisfy the entire membership.
You, the membership, have already proven yourselves to be a steadfast and passionate group, making tough choices and supporting the Board as they attempted to guide our organization into financial security. Though our finances remain precarious, we need to begin to move forward, strengthening ASPSN's standing as the international association it has become. To do this, we need YOU. We need your time and willingness to get involved. We need YOU. We need your thoughts, ideas, passions, and dreams. We need YOU. I am proud to report that at our 2005 national meeting, we had a record number of volunteers sign up to join committees. As we move forward into an exciting new year, where we ignite our passion and turn our dreams into reality, I invite YOU to join colleagues as we prepare our own version of ASPSN's delicious, steaming hot Stone Soup.
Together we can: not only make a difference, but have enough to feed and satisfy the entire membership.
It's only the most delicious and satisfying soup you'll ever have. You have my word on it.