The fiscal and calendar year ending December 31, 2006, marked an extraordinary year of growth and success for INS. With increases across all revenue categories and a continued control of overall expenses, INS enjoyed the most financially successful year in its history. With the support of a growing membership, along with the recognition and respect from the medical community, INS continues to have a tremendous impact on the world of infusion therapy. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played a part in our success and helped us in our mission of setting the standard for excellence in infusion nursing.
We are delighted to report that 2006 resulted in an increase in net assets of $535,882. Many factors contributed to this achievement. The following are some of the items that had a significant impact on the bottom line and thus merit further explanation.
MEMBERSHIP
The membership rolls continued to increase in 2006. An additional 178 members brought the INS membership total to 5,650. We are pleased to report that we have grown the membership by more than 11% over the past 3 years. This increase is in large part the result of our ability to reach out to the infusion community and provide them with specialized information and resources that they are unable to attain anywhere else. Our membership outreach and retention efforts have been greatly enhanced through the use of electronic communication. We are able to reach more people more quickly through this medium, which has helped us to increase our membership while significantly reducing our costs. In addition to increasing the membership, we were also able to reduce membership expenses by 15% in 2006. In fact, overall membership expenses have been reduced by 32% over the past 3 years.
Lastly, as has become a welcome tradition for INS, we are pleased to report that membership dues remained at $90 for the tenth consecutive year. Our ability to increase our revenue sources while keeping tight controls on expenses has enabled us to keep the $90 dues rate in place, with no immediate plans to increase it.
MEETINGS
Tremendous registration numbers for our annual meeting in Reno, Nevada and our National Academy and One-day Program in Washington, DC, along with increased exhibitor sponsorships and booth sales, were the major factors in the 22% increase in meetings revenue for 2006. More than 2,100 attendees-or 38% of the entire INS membership-attended one of these three programs. This is a testament to both the high-caliber educational content offered by INS meetings and the personal and professional commitment of our membership to expand their knowledge base. The INS Board of Directors would like to extend its thanks to the National Council on Education for their work in developing these wonderful programs. We would also like to thank all of our members who supported our meetings. You are to be commended for your contributions to your patients and your profession.
PUBLICATIONS
Two of INS' signature resources, Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice and Policies and Procedures for Infusion Nursing, underwent revisions in 2006. The information contained in both of these resources is indispensable to nurses practicing in the infusion specialty, and the 2006 sales figures confirm this fact. Close to 8,200 copies of the Standards and more than 3,600 copies of Policies and Procedures were sold in 2006. These two resources accounted for 48% of total publications revenue in 2006 and helped contribute to a 19% increase in publications revenue. Product sales through the INS online store continue to increase, while the use of our broadcast e-mail program to help promote these resources has enabled us to decrease our marketing expenses.
Through the generosity of a BD Medical educational grant, each active INS member at the time of publication received a complimentary copy of the Standards. We would like to take this opportunity to thank BD for their continued support of INS and the Standards of Practice. We would also like to extend our thanks and gratitude to members of the Standards committee for their work in bringing this revised edition to print.
CERTIFICATION
INS continues to serve as an advocate for infusion nursing certification by supporting the INCC certification program through a $120,000 grant. This support remains an integral component of INS' mission and strategic plan.
In conclusion, an independent accounting firm audited the INS financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2006, and issued a clean opinion.