Membership Night 2017

FOR PNANH … THIS IS HOW FAR WE’LL GO

BY: MA ANN VIRAIDA TRINIDAD-DIONEDA , MD , BSPH, BSN, RN

            2017 marks a significant year for PNA North Houston Chapter as its local Membership Committee focuses on the importance of their active members in the sustenance and viability of the organization. As prompted by the new online PNAA registration procedure which took effect on the  1st of January of this year , the Membership was challenged with the new online process and the problems that entail with it.
            This year PNANH wanted to give back to the CORE of their existence --- its MEMBERS . Inspired by Disney’s Moana movie , with a theme “ The World is Colorful and Diverse: A PNA North Houston Fun Night “ will be held on April 29, 2017 at Lakes of Avalon Clubhouse , Spring , Texas. This is a free event for all members.

            The Fun Night’s main objective is to reach out to the General Membership Assembly , to foster camaraderie among active members and to enhance prospective members to join PNANH ; it also serves as a pre – Nurses’ Week Celebration Luau treat for its members ; moreover, it is a venue for networking among members as sponsors/ vendors have been invited for the event; and lastly , it aims to give recognition to the 20 original members of PNANH since its birth in 2011.

            Activities in line with its objectives include the following : 1) Live online PNAA registration on-site and provision of updates for the 1st Quarter of 2017 and upcoming activities by the President; 2) A Polynesian treat for active members and their families with raffle , games , dancing and lots of surprises highlighted with a free live 30-minute hula entertainment ; 3 ) Free financial education session from the World Financial Group (WFG) as one of the major sponsors and supporters of PNANH ; 4) and the Presentation of a plaque of recognition for the 20 original members of PNANH whose membership has now blossomed to 128 active members up to current press time.
            Realizing the power of technology in our advance age , and catering to both baby boomers and millennial nurses , the transition to the new online registration process was not that easy. The PNANH Executive Board has been motivated to devise ways to accommodate loopholes and obstacles that comes with a brand new concept that has already been implemented across the nation. Every effort has been made to increase awareness among members on the new online registration procedure by posting on the local chapter’s website , through the social media , and via personal e-mail. New online registration postcards and flyers were printed , and were mailed to the members whose membership status is about to expire ; and / or distributed to members during the organization’s ongoing events . Pens which indicate the direct link to the PNAA online registration were given away. Paper application has been modified by setting up a PNANH debit card that can be used for online transactions as opposed to issuing checks or cash. Recruitment incentive for the EB and existing members is in full swing.
            Nurses’ Week Celebration , in collaboration with the Education and Membership Committees, will be on May 11, 2017 at  CHI St. Luke's Health The Vintage Hospital , Houston , Texas . It will begin with the blessings of the hands, followed by an in- service to be given by St Luke’s the Vintage CNO Valerie Howell. Membership will set up a live online registration booth for new members and for renewals.
            One of the life’s lessons learned from Disney’s Moana is that “ boundaries are meant to be broken”. When we are faced with a challenge or a problem, we find solutions, even outside of our comfort zone. This can inspire us to push through whatever’s holding us back, whether it may be our own fear of moving forward, or what other people might think.
            “Having patience is always beneficial, “ mistakes are integral part of our journey through life, some things require patience to achieve success. Streamlining   and embracing the new PNAA online registration will eventually be beneficial to all , it will just be a matter of time to get used to the new process.
            Conclusively and aptly, “ The world is colorful and diverse “ , other cultures exist besides our own. PNANH , and PNAA , as a whole, is shared by many different cultures. But one thing that unites us all, is our desire to give back to others and pay it forward.