President Paul Santoro, CRNA, MS, delivered a “very important message” at the Annual Business Meeting yesterday, “a message that will help us prepare for the future, and when we, along with the rest of the country come out of the economic decline we have experienced, we’ll be stronger, leaner, meaner, and better prepared to advance the interests of our patients, our members, and the profession of nurse anesthesia.” In spite of these difficulties, he said, “Our profession is sound, and we’re part of the solution for the future.”
The meeting began with a moment of remembrance of the CRNAs who passed away during the year. Lt. Col. Suk Hi Ross, CRNA, MS, NC, who recently returned from Iraq, lit a commemorative candle which remained lit throughout the meeting. The President’s Report was followed by a report from Treasurer Todd Herzog, CRNA, BSNA, BSN, ARNP, and Wanda Wilson, CRNA, PhD, gave the Report of the Executive Director.
The New Normal
President Santoro spoke of the “permanent whitewater of our social, economic, and political environment. The ever-increasing fast pace of change is occuring around the world, and this turbulent atmosphere has become “the new normal,” he said.The AANA must consider the impact of technology on our economy and culture.
Strategic Framework
The Board recently adopted a strategic framework for providing value to the membership, which includes three objectives that speak to: 1.) education, continuing education, certification, and recertification, 2.) the legal, regulatory and reimbursement environment, and 3.) the needs of members and providing membership value.
Membership Value
Santoro believes that “continuing to demonstrate the value of AANA membership is critical to the long-term success of the nurse anesthesia profession.” Santoro suggests “crafting a nimble, agile organization that can provide value for our members,” and focusing on a few vital priorities instead of trying to be all things to all people. He stressed the importance of budgetary accountability, financial transparency, organizational focus, and alignment of resources with strategic objectives.
Work of the Finance Committee
Santoro reported that the Finance Committee worked hard on a detailed examination of the budget and made recommendations. He discussed subsidies for the organizational affiliates, including reductions, and spoke about changes such as the transfer of funding for the PAC administrative expenses to the AANA so that more campaign contributions are available for candidates who support the nurse anesthesia profession. He stressed that the goal was to optimize the performance of the organizational affiliates. Santoro complimented the Board of Directors for making tough decisions during these challenging economic times.
Hitting the Reset Button
President Santoro spoke of the need to “hit the reset button,” challenge core business assumptions and stretch the boundaries of innovative change. “We’re a creative group, a passionate group,” said Santoro. “The dedication this group has will make us better able to weather the storm.”
Members Vote on Resolutions and Amendments to the Bylaws and Standing Rules
Yesterday’s Annual Business Meeting also provided an opportunity for members to hear about the state of the Association and vote on one proposed resolution, one emergency resolution, 10 amendments to the AANA Bylaws, and one amendment to the Standing Rules.
The results of the votes by active members (CRNAs) in attendance are as follows:
Proposed Resolution
AANA Resolution to Allow the Rental of AANA Members’ Email Addresses (#2011-1)
Passed
Emergency Resolution
Emergency Resolution to Provide Funds for the Council on Accreditation
Passed
Proposed Amendments to AANA Bylaws and Standing Rules
• Article VIII: Expand the Scope of the Organizational Health Allocation (OHA)
Failed
• Article VIII: Associate Student Dues
Failed
• Article X: Compensation for AANA Elected Leaders Based on Percentage of Members’ Salary
Passed
• Article XVII: Electronic Participation at Annual Meeting
Failed
• AANA Standing Rule 5: Nominating Committee Procedure
Passed
Consent Agenda
The membership voted to pass the Consent Agenda. During Fiscal Year 2011, the AANA Bylaws Committee reviewed the AANA Bylaws and made recommendations to the AANA Board of Directors to update language in some Articles. The AANA Board of Directors recommended that the following Bylaw amendments be proposed in one motion. The proposed amendment to Article XVI was pulled from the Consent Agenda upon request from a member and discussed and voted upon separately.
• Article XII : Consent of Nominees
• Article XIII : Committees—Duties and Composition
• Article XIV : National Assemblies—Assembly of School Faculty
• Article XVI : State Associations—Responsibilities—Nondiscrimination
Upon request from a member, the proposed amendment to article XVI was pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion. A motion to remove the phrase “or unfavorable discharge from military service” from the proposed amendment carried, and the membership passed the proposed amendment as changed.
• Article XVII : Meetings of the Membership—Annual Meeting Notice
• Article XIX : Resolutions—Requirements of a Resolution