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. ​

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