2016 Understanding Membership and Engagement

/in /by

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Helping to Understand Membership and Engagement

Written by Marilyn Westphal 2016-17 AORN of Twin Cities Chapter President

Summary of October 10th, Educational Presentation submitted by Barb Wiemann.

Marilyn first defined our current membership in AORN and the different types of membership ranging from “Potential” members to “Checkbook”, “Sporadic “, “Engaged”, “Loyal “and finally to “Brand Ambassadors” The potential members are the nurses who are new to the perioperative profession. To gain them as members, we need to make sure they understand the value of the organization. If they know the value and are given the tools to meet their needs, they will become engaged in our association. Engagement is qualitative versus quantitative to the younger members. They need to have an emotional attachment to some of the value the organization has to offer, either through successful programs, events, benefits or advocacy and these need to be continually evaluated. If the emotional attachment is not there, the Gen Y’s most likely will not be a member of the association.

Marilyn contrasted the differences between Baby Boomers, Generation X and Y and the most recent new Generation Z (under the age of 15). The Gen Y in 2015 became the majority of the workforce, while 10,000 baby Boomers are retiring each day. The Gen Y’s are steering away from the traditions and turning toward what is relevant and meaningful. The Baby Boomers will be or are experiencing the “Trickle Up effect” where the younger generation influences the older generation and world widespread change occurs. She explained the Gen Y’s have a reputation of lack of loyalty but really they are loyal to people and not loyal to institutions as the Baby Boomers are. Gen Y’s believe loyalty is something you earn and leadership is not related to the number of years of experience one has, and experience alone does not make a good preceptor. They believe in diverse leadership and want change.

So for our organization and our workplaces, we need to ask, listen and communicate to each other. We need to learn not to dismiss new ideas and resist change but to allow for choices and openly explore those new ideas. We need to continue to work at our relationships via new, innovative and meaningful opportunities.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1478550432116{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”main-sidebar”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

2016 October Board and Chapter Meeting

/0 Comments/in /by

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

October 10, 2016
AORN of Twin Cities Chapter #2401

Highlights of the Board and Chapter Meetings

Report of Officers

President:
Marilyn Westphal
  • Fall Kickoff had 50 paid attendees; guests include Scanlan and our speaker plus two business associates. 12 no shows who had replied (6 paid and 6 not) greatly affects meal planning, next year consider catering from Children’s if this is an option. Three educational awards were given out to Annette Tschann, Andrea Qureshi and Angela Todd for the workshops and the January Jam.
  • Brigid Scanlan left pamphlets with Marilyn about” Scanlan Life Programs, supporting medical mission trips. More information can be found at http://www.scanlaninternational.com/scanlan-life-programs/
  • A Town Hall meeting was held last Monday regarding the National AORN elections. AORN was tasked with looking at the voting process at the EXPO in Anaheim. Since 2010 when all members could vote for National Officers etc, only about 2000 members have voted each year. Their goal is 13,000, a third of the membership for 2-17. The candidates for the ballot will be taping their statements but the Q&A will be live in Boston next year. By 2018 both will be taped and made available 2 weeks before the conference, in hopes of local chapters reviewing the presentations at a meeting and having discussions regarding the candidates. Hopefully more members will vote following the discussion. Next year there will be no campaigning as in previous years.
President Elect:
Rorie Chinnock
  • Current membership as of October 9, 2016 is 255 members. There were 32 new members, 6 lapsed members and 1100 prospective members. Prospective members are nurses from around the Twin Cities who have either accessed the national websites, purchased products etc.
Treasurer:
Faye Anhorn
  • Financial report was reviewed and approved. $260 collected last month for 2nd Harvest and Ellen Anderson Manz returned her $50 honorarium back to the chapter.
  • Faye has updated a form for speakers that have donated their honorariums back to the chapter and would like to have a tax donation form. Cheryl Langford asked for this form to be available for the vendors from the workshop.

Committee Reports

Bylaws and Policy:
Barb Wiemann

Bylaws proposal update.

Currently:
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION

If the Association should dissolve, all funds in the treasury will be divided in half between the AORN Foundation and Shriner’s Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Revision:
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION

If the Association should dissolve, all funds in the treasury will be given to the AORN Foundation.

* The members are given a 30 day written notification. Voting on this proposed bylaws change will be at the January Jam, January 7th, 2017 (Saturday) chapter meeting at Children’s Minneapolis Hospital.

Membership:
Marilyn
  • Marilyn and Rorie Chinnock revised the letters for new and lapsed members from our chapter (Marilyn has samples). Marilyn had sent letters to new members prior to the Fall Kickoff and Rorie sent out 38 more letters this past week to new (32) and lapsed (6) members.
Newsletter:
Caroline Ness
  • Input is being accepted about the new website created by Scanlan, it is www.aorntwincities.com, Marilyn will discuss with Scanlan how it will be updated etc.
Awards/Certifications:
Mary Mirick

The following awards were presented at the Fall Kickoff

  • Promising Clinical Star Award: Leah Van Gorp
  • Rising Star Membership award: Karen Dandeneau
  • Distinguished Service Award: MaryKay Boell
  • Outstanding Perioperative Nursing Award: Jane Oksnevad
  • CNOR’s: Christa Decker, Melissa Domagagalla, Darrin Olson, Brenda Hall, Mary Hobot,
  • Catherine McKeithern and Alexis Stucki
Community Relations:
MaryKay
  • Collection for Toys for Tots will be at the 3M meeting and the Fall Workshop.
  • Ronald McDonald House Meal will be served at Children’s Minneapolis on December 12th, 4:40-7:30PM
NEW Business:
Marilyn Westphal
  • Marilyn has received several names that are interested in a subspecialty group from the Twin Cities for nurse managers. If others are interested please let Marilyn know.
Bylaws Proposal:
October 10, 2016

Currently:

ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION

If the Association should dissolve, all funds in the treasury will be divided in half between the AORN Foundation and Shriner’s Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Revision:

ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION

If the Association should dissolve, all funds in the treasury will be given to the AORN Foundation.

Voting on this proposed change will be at the AM, January 7th, 2017 (Saturday) chapter meeting at Children’s Minneapolis Hospital.

Click HERE to download PDF[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

2016 August Board and Chapter Meeting

/0 Comments/in /by

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

August 8th, 2016
AORN of Twin Cities Chapter #2401

Highlights of the Board and Chapter Meetings

Report of Officers

President:
Marilyn Westphal
  • Chapter delegate notification was received from National in July. The chapter is slated for 13 delegates based on voting membership of 220 members; we are budgeted for 10 delegates.

Delegate applications are due by September 30th.

  • The Code of Ethics and Conduct should be reviewed annually. It will be laminated and place at each of the tables at the Fall Kickoff.
  • The annual Committee reports should be turned in to the President at the June Board meeting. It is requested to use the standard report form and attendance sheet.
President Elect:
Rorie Chinnock
  • Current membership as of August 8, 2016 is 241 members. There were 32 new members, 15 lapsed members and 1152 prospective members.
Treasurer
Faye Anhorn
  • The annual review of the budget was completed; the workshop registrations fees were discussed. The fee per member at spring workshop is $45.00 for 3 contact hours, the fall workshop is marked as $75 for 6 and $70 for 5 contact hours and the January meeting is marked for $20 for 3 contact hours.
  • The reimbursements forms will be used for anytime a member is asking for money from the chapter. The forms will be mailed electronically to Board members.
  • The current educational award per monthly chapter meeting is $5.00. The Board will eliminate these because they are not often returned instead we will give free registration to the fall and spring workshops (one each) and the January meeting if a charge will be made. The educational certificates will be transferrable to another chapter meeting if the winner can not attend.
Education:
Cheryl Langford and Barb Wiemann
  • Speakers for the fall are confirmed:
  • November @ 3M, Cori Olfsted “Recognizing the Potential for a perfect storm and strategies for improving patient safety”, 1.5 contact hours. Collection: Toys for Tots. Appropriate topic for Surgical Techs, CPD Techs and Infection Control staff.
  • November 12th, workshop, “Raising your instrument IQ” put on IMS (Nathan Hick), topic includes robotic instruments, rigid and flexible scopes etc. There are 7 speakers, 45 minutes presentations, and we provide lunch. Registration fees: $70.00 and $35 for retired or student. 5 contact hours. Appropriate topic for Surgical Techs, CPD Techs and Infection Control staff.

Times are being finalized. Also collecting for Toys for Tots. Cheryl has sent out vendor letters for a fee of $250.00. Any other vendor names you want to submit see Cheryl. That day the Toys for Tots collection will be organized by MaryKay Boell, the Silent Auction by Barb, and the vendor raffle gift cards by Marilyn Westphal. The cost for raffle ticket will be $1 each or 6 for $5.

President’s 2016-17 Goals:
Marilyn Westphal

Communication

  • Develop postal mailing roster for the Stereoscope to all surgical healthcare facilities in the Twin Cities area to promote AORN amongst OR managers and their departments. Goal meet!
  • Revive or develop a local chapter website as a source of standard communication.

Engagement

  • Offer one additional half-day workshop on Saturday morning in place of three Monday nights to increase attendance by 30% over weeknight meetings.
  • Begin the use of web-based meeting structure for Board meetings for two meetings during the year to allow easier access to elected positions.
  • Provide two chapter meetings that allow open discussion on member engagement at the local and national levels to increase involvement of newer members in to officer, board or committees by 20% (2 new members in leadership roles).

Click HERE to download PDF[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Community Relations

/0 Comments/in /by

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Community Relations

By Mary Kay Boell

“The Power of You”, as many AORN members are aware is the national theme from Martha Stratton for the 2016-2017 year. How applicable this theme is for community relations. We all have the power to make a difference in someone lives!

The September kick off chapter meeting we collected monetary donations for Second Harvest Heartland. Their mission is to end hunger through community partnerships. It is one of the nation’s largest and most efficient food banks. It delivers millions of meals to people who need it. Turning hunger into hope!

We collected $260 at our September meeting. United Health Care matched donations during the month of September. The $520 we donated equaled 3,120 meals that Second Harvest Heartland was able to provide for those in need. Thank you for your generosity.

We will be collecting for Toys for Tots in November, at our fall workshop on 11/12/16 and at the 3M meeting on 11/21/16

There are 3 service events planned for this chapter year. Monday, 12/12/16 we will be serving dinner at Ronald McDonald House (Children’s Mpls) the time commitment is 430-730 PM. We have participated in the Cook for Kids program in the past, it is a lot of fun and very rewarding. I hope that many of you can join us. Look for sign-up sheets at the monthly meetings and at the workshops.

The “January Jam” on Saturday 1/7/17 is scheduled from 7:30-11:30 am. After the meeting anyone interested is invited to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children. Spots have been reserved at both the Eagan and Coon Rapids location. The time commitment is 2-4pm.   I was thinking a morning of CEU ‘S, lunch with AORN friends and then a couple hours in the afternoon to pack meals for malnourished children around the world. We all have the power to make a difference!!

Please let me know if you have any suggestions or ideas for Community Relations. I would love to hear from you.

Thank you,

Mary Kay Boell
mkboell@yahoo.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1478550333300{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”main-sidebar”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

2016 Living Beyond Limits

/in /by

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

LIVING BEYOND LIMITS 

Written by Marilyn Westphal

At Expo 2016 in Anaheim, I had the pleasure of listening to Amy Purdy speak about “Living Beyond Limits”.  At the age of 19, her world changed dramatically when she contracted a form of bacterial meningitis. The disease rapidly affected her whole body leading to septic shock; both of her legs had to be amputated below the knees, and she lost both kidneys and her spleen. Doctors gave her a 2% chance of survival.

Although she lost both her legs, she does not feel it is a disability.  She didn’t want sympathy or to be described by her disability.  She can do anything she wants and she has!   She returned to snowboarding seven months after she got her leg prostheses.  She spoke of the trials of re- learning how to snow board and how her legs flew off attached to the snowboard once when she took a tumble.  This horrified others watching but she used humor to get through these difficult times. The positive aspects of snowboarding with false legs are that your feet do not get cold and you can strap your bindings very tight and it doesn’t hurt. You can also choose your leg length/ height and foot size for any social outing J !  It’s all in the attitude!

Her biggest loss became her biggest asset.  She embraced the new.  She was on Amazing Race and that is where she met her husband.  Together they started a company called Adaptive Action Sports which assists children, teens, adults, and wounded warriors to fulfill their passion in action sports such as snowboarding and skateboarding.  Her return to snowboarding prompted her to compete in the Para Olympics in Sochi in 2014 where she won a Bronze Medal.

Recently she performed on Dancing with the Stars.  If any of you watch this series, it was inspirational to see her overcome the obstacles of how easily natural feet articulate that is not possible with a prosthetic.  She tied all these events of her life into our 2016 Expo theme of Thriving through Transformation.   Purdy said “Obstacles are stepping stones that allow us to change challenges into motivation”.  Challenges are the blessings and gifts to push us further.  If faced with an event, you must dig deep, find your fire, and figure out what life can be.  There is the power of intention and declaring what you want.  You must go forward and  live a life full of adventure with stories to tell about it.

During her many trips to the O.R., she was in her most vulnerable state.  She cannot express how much the love and support of the doctors and especially the nurses meant to her. She shared with us an experience that she had never told publicly before.  It was in the O.R. when she had a near death experience.  She saw a bright light and people motioning to come towards them, but she felt strongly that she wasn’t done with her earthly life.  She clearly remembers a voice saying that “it will all make sense in the end”.  She has led a very fulfilling life since her illness began and looks forward to many more happy and rewarding years.  She challenged all of us that if we have a thought or hope that we should declare it and own it.  Make your dreams come true despite the obstacles!

Thank you to Chapter #2401 for supporting me as a delegate and attendee of the 2016 Expo in Anaheim, CA.  It is always motivating and inspiring!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1478549928839{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”main-sidebar”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

2016 Fall Kickoff Night

/in /by

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Fall Kickoff Night

September 12th, 2016
Submitted by: Mary Mirck

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”346″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The 2015-2015 Awards were presented at the annual Fall Kickoff Dinner on September 12, 2016.  Once every year we recognize chapter members who have contributed to making our chapter year successful through great monthly programs, workshops and meetings offering CEUs specific to our perioperative practice. These hard working members contribute their time and talents behind the scenes through chapter committees and leadership roles to make and keep AORN of Twin Cities a strong professional organization. During the past year the awards were rewritten and clarified to recognize the many areas of growth and leadership amongst chapter members.  There are four who were honored for their significant service to AORN Twin Cities this year.

The Promising Clinical Star Award is given to an RN who is actively employed in the perioperative setting, has been an AORN member for a minimum of 1 year attending a minimum of 4 chapter activities and participates on a current chapter committee.  This year’s recipient is a busy RN who runs, runs her family, a CNOR since 2014, a mentor to new hires at work as well as assuming the charge position at work and our chapters “go to person” on social media.  The Promising Clinical Star Award goes to Leah Van Gorp from Unity Hospital.  Thanks to Leah we now have a presence on Facebook.

The Rising Star Membership recognizes a chapter member who has demonstrated leadership and commitment to the vision, mission and core values of AORN at work and in the community and has been a member of AORN for a minimum of 5 years.  This year’s recipient has been an OR nurse for over 20 years, over 10 years as a charge nurse at Unity Hospital.  Besides being active in chapter activities, meetings, workshops and as an Expo delegate, she is serving her second term on the National Leadership Development Committee.  This year’s Rising Star Membership is awarded to Karen Dandeneau.

Within our chapter there are those who go beyond attending monthly meetings, workshops and see the broader picture of serving others.  The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual who has provided longstanding service to the chapter.  This year’s recipient has been a member of AORN for over 5 years and is recognized by her peers for her commitment to her patients and her positive attitude at work.  She has multiple skills in the OR from admission, intra-op as a scrub, circulator and recovery.  Recognized as a Promising Clinical Star a few years ago, this member attended Expo and continued with her commitment to the chapter as a committee member.  Now a committee chair she serves as a leader. She volunteers in her community and church and has challenged chapter members to give of their time, talents and donations to go beyond our roles as RNs and serve the greater community.  You may recognize her for her contributions to chapter meetings as she plans our next opportunity to serve others.  The recipient of the Distinguished Service Award is Mary Kay Boell.

The Outstanding Perioperative Nursing Practice Award recognizes a perioperative nurse who is currently employed in the perioperative setting and is making an outstanding contribution to nursing.  To be a candidate for this award one must be active in AORN of Twin Cities, a present or previous board member, exhibit leadership skills at work as well in chapter activities and an active participant in promoting perioperative nursing.  While we may know this recipient through our monthly meetings, she is also active outside of nursing as a volunteer with her church, in her community and as a grandmother. Recognition of this award winner by her coworkers included her leadership skills, mentorship of new employees, continuing staff education (has also been a speaker at our meetings) and as a manager.  She received her CNOR in 2005 and has represented our chapter at Expo numerous times.  She has shown leadership as an active board member, chair of a number of committees and served as co-chair of one of our workshops.  She has been influential at her home hospital encouraging active participation in our chapter activities and committees.   You will know her as our past chapter president who has promoted innovative ideas to move us forward as a chapter: improve attendance at meetings, make us present on social media, and now as this year’s Outstanding Perioperative Nurse we recognize and honor Jane Oksnevad from Unity Hospital.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”main-sidebar”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

2016 Prevention of Pressure Ulcers

/in /by

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

PREVENTION OF PRESSURE ULCERS 

2016 Expo Article by Jane Oksnevad

Thank you to the chapter for allowing me to attend the Expo as a delegate and our chapter President this past April in Anaheim, CA.  My very first Expo was also in Anaheim in 2006.  That was the first year I attended chapter meetings and joined AORN of the Twin Cities #2401.  After attending, I was hooked and have attended many Expo / Congress sessions since and have continued my involvement in the chapter. That could be true for you too??? You should consider this experience in the future.

During Expo, I attended three different sessions on the Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in the OR. One session was introducing the new AORN Prevention of Pressure Ulcers Tool Kit.  This is available on their website and is free to members and nonmembers alike.  There is free credit available for completing it.  AORN is developing an assessment tool that can be used to predict which patients are more susceptible to pressure ulcer development. This tool is being tested in several hospitals now and then the research will be gathered and presented.   It can also be found in the Tool Kit.

The literature states that the incidence of pressure ulcers can be up to 66% as a result of those having surgery. Several risk factors are length of surgery (over three hours),  type of surgery, blood loss, positioning, shear, moisture, and body temperature. There are also all the precipitating factors such as medical conditions, circulation, obesity, etc. that we have no control over.  Many patients appear free of pressure injury immediately after their surgery, only to have the evidence show up one to seven days later. One new concept I learned from the sessions is to not just pad the pressure area but to actually relieve the pressure.

There is a very good article in the AORN Journal from March 2016 on this topic if you want more information.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1478550261769{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”main-sidebar”][/vc_column][/vc_row]