June 30, 2008 the STN management contract with The Center for Association Growth (TCAG) expired. The Center for Association Growth, a Chicago-based management firm, was the headquarters and national office for STN. The society experienced membership growth and further financial stability while under the management of TCAG. The Center for Association Growth supported STN in furthering our goals in establishing collaborative relationships with other nursing and key trauma physician organizations. On behalf of STN, I thank TCAG for their dedication and guidance over the last 3 years, with special thanks to Joyce Paschall for her mentoring, knowledge, and behind the scenes work. We extend our gratitude to Deb Brisson for her guidance and skill in meeting planning, as evidenced by the successful annual conference in New Orleans in April. To the entire TCAG team, our best wishes for continued success. Although STN had gained success, there were a number of goals that we felt required additional resources.

Under the leadership of Deb Harkins a firm selection committee was formed to develop and implement the request for proposal (RFP) process. Eight management companies submitted proposals. During the selection process, the board focused on finding a management firm that could take STN to the next level. There was a concerted effort to hire a firm with excellent technology skills and resources. A firm that could quickly meet our membership's needs through Web page enhancements, Webinar utilization, and updates to various educational products. As a result, the selection committee interviewed 4 companies during the STN annual conference. After further reference and information gathering, the board unanimously voted to accept the selection committee's recommendation to hire Symbiotix Management Strategies (SMS). Symbiotix Management Strategies is located in Lexington, Kentucky. Their collective leadership has close to a century of association management experience and a strong background in medicine through the pharmaceutical industry. It is under the corporate umbrella of Symbiotix Inc.

Symbiotix Management Strategies has 5 fundamental service areas including association management, conference and meeting planning, creative services, technology services, and clinical services. Their corporate structure provides excellent continuing medical education/continuing education resources to STN through their sister company AdvancMed, limited liability company, which is solely dedicated to medical educational activities. In addition, SMS has a large berth of talent in technology services.

We are anxious to welcome Sarah Clements as the STN Executive Director. Sarah has a solid background in association management, with her most recent experience serving as director for a professional society of scientists. In this role, she focused on strategic guidance, increased financial stability, and membership growth. She also has served in a meeting-planner role for a number of years, coordinating various sized annual conferences as well as Webinar series. Sarah has a bachelor of arts in Integrated Strategic Communications from the University of Kentucky, and is excited to utilize her skills and knowledge to provide continued guidance to the STN leadership and members.

The board has made the members' only section and other Web page enhancements a top priority. We are looking at ways to improve communication and productivity through this technology. Along with the technology, SMS has resources and experience in government and public policy, advocacy efforts, marketing, and grant submission. Symbiotix Management Strategies offer many opportunities and resources for STN leadership and members.

The intent of the transition is to be a transparent process for the membership in terms of shipping books, communications through the office staff, and Web page access. At the time of this publication, I am confident that you already would have experienced some of the technological advances and access to resources brought forth through this partnership. The STN board is now in the process of further detailing and prioritizing the needs across the organization. We will be surveying the membership for their opinion on meeting your needs. I would encourage members to access their state and region chairs, committee chairs, and the STN board members with thoughts on the changes and needs as members. I continue to encourage all members to make the move to get more involved in your organization. It is a great time to become an active member and be a part of moving STN to the next level. Remember this is your organization.