To the Editor,

What a thoughtful and thought-provoking editorial appeared in the most recent edition of Gastroenterology Nursing (September/October 2006). The hot topic was the process of selecting the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA) Executive Committee. If you were present at the May 2005 Business Meeting for the heated discussion and then noticed the continued dismal voting participation in our last National Election (2006), you too should be asking yourself these same questions Dr. Bean so eloquently posed. The general SGNA membership needs to give the same thorough consideration to these many points that Dr. Bean mentioned, such as poor voter participation, the most appropriate selection process for the executive positions, and members retaining voting privileges.

As a new Board attendee, let me just say something that the general membership may not recognize, namely, how impressive the entire SGNA organization is, including Board members as well as SGNA staff. I have just returned from my first Board Meeting in Chicago preceding the Leadership Conference (October 26-28, 2006). I agree with a fellow new Board member who said, "I am just in awe of the Board." Rest assured that SGNA is in very capable hands. I have never met a group of professionals who are more dedicated, enthusiastic, supportive, competent, or focused.

There are two obvious points I feel need to be stated. First, I wish I had had the information/education of the new selection process before the May 2005 Bylaws vote. Second, I believe that if the general SGNA membership had also had the proper explanations, there would have been a different outcome for this issue. But all is not lost. We can learn from this mistake, and we can move forward. My suggestion is that if yet another dismal voting turnout occurs in 2007 (2006 was less than 8%), SGNA should readdress this Bylaw change with the proper education of our members first. I strongly agree with Dr. Bean that the 2007 election results definitely will be an indication of what we need to do.

Sincerely,

Margie Lanza, BSN, RN, CGRN

(e-mail: mailto:[email protected])

Region 45, Ohio SGNA Regional President

SGNA Vice-Speaker of the House