News from the board: We met in January and held an orientation for the new board members and the President-elect. In the afternoon, we went into session to wrap up last year’s business, revisit the strategic plan, make updates, and develop the multi-interest groups (MIGS) to pilot this year. Information about MIGs can be found on the KSNA website. The interest groups can include book clubs, health groups, legislative discussions, education discussions, educational development groups, journaling clubs, whatever your passion is in nursing, and other topics. The board hopes to get more people involved and free to join interest groups that affect all Kansas areas.

The board and I discussed traveling the state and having coffee discussions with members for more F2F involvement.

We also instituted a membership check, where board members will call new members and welcome them to KSNA each month. We will also check in with members who have dropped their membership to see what we can do as an organization to improve membership participation.

Board members attended a few nursing school career fairs this last year. We talked to students getting ready to graduate about KSNA and the benefits of being a member.

The executive director and several vboard members held a Town Hall meeting in January. Attendance was good, and the discussion was even better. We discussed events from last year and what is coming up shortly. The conversation turned to the legislative topics and what we could do as nurses to advocate for the citizens of Kansas and the nurses of Kansas. We discussed mailing postcards to the legislators and getting our voices out there, as well as the need to educate the citizens of Kansas about health care and how to talk to their representatives to get their voices heard.

You have probably heard that Dana Singleton has resigned as the executive director for KSNA. We are sad to see Dana leave and wish her the best in her future endeavors. With that said, we are thrilled to announce that Vicky McGrath DNP, MBA, RN, OCN has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Kansas State Nurses Association. Please join us in welcoming Vicky.

We will introduce the board with a picture and bio in the newsletter or journal. Stay tuned to get to know the board.

In closing, remember if you have questions or ideas on educational offerings or MIG groups, please let me or a board member know. We are here to build advocacy in the state of Kansas for nurses and the citizens of Kansas

Laura Mallett, MSN, RN
President
Kansas State Nurses Association