[Maine-NPs] MNPA Needs You!!

[Hannah Pressler]

Dear Nurse Practitioner Colleagues,

Happy 2007! As we start this New Year, it is time for some of us on the MNPA
Board to look forward to our retirement from the Board. That means we need
YOU to think about serving your profession. Consider running for a board
position. This dynamic board works together to serve you and the people of
Maine. The following board positions will be open: 

 

PRESIDENT ELECT:  This is a three year term. First year as President Elect;
second as President and third as Immediate Past President. The President
Elect fills in for the President when s/he is unavailable and assumes
responsibilities as directed by the President and the Board. I worked with
the Education Co-Chair and Miki serves on the Legislative Committee. The
President of the Board chairs Board meetings and the annual meeting and
works closely with our Management Company and lobbyists. The Immediate Pat
President is the Nominations Chair. This insures that the Immediate Past
President remains active on the Board and is available to help mentor the
President Elect.

 

SECRETARY: Cherry is retiring from the Board after serving two (two year)
terms as Secretary. The Secretary is responsible for taking Board and annual
meeting minutes, developing "official" call for nominations and announcement
of by-laws changes. This position requires good communication skills, the
ability to take thorough minutes of board meetings and good organizational
and detective skills. The Board depends on the Secretary to locate items
currently in discussion in the minutes. 

 

TREASURER:  Chris Silva is completing his second year as treasurer.  The
treasurer serves for two years. In the days of yore when we were a smaller
and less complicated MNPA, the Treasurer had the responsibility of balancing
the books. These days, Howe and Company plans out budgets and manages our
finances. The Treasurer is the liaison between the Board and Howe. S/he
helps the Board understand finances and works with owe to plan a budget. You
don't have to balance MNPA's checkbook but you have to understand what is
happening with MNPA's finances and communicate this to the Board. The
Treasurer helps the Board make decisions that affect our fiscal viability.

 

Legislative Committee Co-Chair: Interested in state and national issues that
affect NP practice? If you are and want to become involve with the
legislative process in Maine, the Legislative Committee Co-chair is the
position for you. Kathy Forti-Gallant is retiring from this two year
position. The Co-Chair terms are staggered so Liz Duke will be the senior
and mentoring Co-Chair next year. This committee meets by conference call
monthly during the off season and semi-monthly during the legislative
season. Our lobbyist Pam Cahill works closely with this committee. This is
an opportunity to learn about the legislature. Pam is an excellent mentor
who is intimately familiar with the legislature. She will help you write and
present testimony. This might not be the position for you if you are afraid
to speak in public but if you want to be heard and to represent MNPA to the
legislature, sign up yesterday!

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CO-CHAIR: Valerie is completing her second year as
the P.D. Co-Chair. She has done an incredible job in this position. The
co-chairs are a staggered position. Valerie is currently the senior
Co-Chair. Susan Yetter is in the first year of her two year term. The P.D.
Chairs plan the annual meeting. They locate the facility, inspect it and
present the pros and cons of the location to the Board. They develop the
conference plan including speakers, topics, life span selection of topics,
solicit industry support and work closely with the committee member who
completes the continuing education contact hour application. This is a time
intensive Board position. I speak from experience as Co-Chair for four
years. I can also say that this is a most gratifying Board position. We
provide quality life span education at a reasonable cost to Maine NPs. The
NP Community depends on MNPA to provide this education. 

 

Public Relations Co-Chair: The PR Co-Chair positions are the newest Board
positions. They are responsible for press releases, activities that improve
the visibility of nurse practitioners in Maine, and the Holiday OH LA LA
Craft Fair. They think out side the box. These are roles that are
developing. These are staggered two year terms. Kathy Coleman is completing
her two year term. Evelyn Kieltyka has one year remaining in her second
term. They are responsible for the MNPA Board calendar. The committee meets
in person on an as needed basis.

 

We need you to run for these positions. The Board is getting grayer. We need
younger and more energetic board members. We all maintain full time
practices. I would love to tell you that Board membership requires very
little time and effort. I will not do that! The amount of time required is
dependent on the Board position. The 3 year President Commitment and the
Legislative and Professional Development Chair positions require the most
time. The Board meets monthly. The December and May Board meetings are held
in concert with the annual conference and the Holiday celebration.  There is
a Board retreat in June for the old and new Board. This is a partial day
affair. This year, 10 of 12 Board meetings are face to face meetings in
Augusta. Two are conference calls. The Board decides annually how they will
meet.

 

Serving on the Board is an opportunity to grow and learn skills that will
serve the people of Maine and NPs in Maine well in the future. Please feel
free to contact existing Board members to discuss their positions and the
amount of time that they spend in their positions. Contact information is
available on the website or feel free to e-mail me and I will answer your
questions or direct you to someone who can.

 

Hannah Pressler, PNP

Immediate Past President/Nominations Chair

Maine Nurse Practitioner Association

hpressler at adelphia.net

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