September, 2020
Greetings to all!
This is my fifth time writing a President’s Message and it has taken me longer than any other time to write this. Why? I am just tired and I don’t think I am alone in feeling this way. A life change has suddenly been thrust upon all of us and we have to deal with it. We want life to go back to “normal.” To feel this way is just part of the grieving process and to repress the feelings we have is not healthy. I don’t think we will ever be back to the “old normal,” but we can learn to create a “new normal.” The SGNA Board of Directors (BOD) may just be doing that when they made the decision to offer the SGNA 47th Annual Course: A Virtual Experience October 31-November 2, 2020. It will be a live, virtual event with additional education available on-demand after those dates.
A funny coincidence—just hours before that announcement, Mary Garcia (our WSGNA webpage master) texted me and two other friends an image of a virtual quilting event offering online education with on demand sessions afterward. She continued to remark and I quote “Hmmm…Sounds familiar! . . . Just thinking how WSGNA was at the forefront of LIVE STREAMING and doing ON DEMAND”. Mary’s right! WSGNA has been live streaming our educational events for over 10 years now. What is becoming others’ “new normal” has been our “normal” for years now. For a time, WSGNA did offer on demand education as well. Several years ago, the WSGNA BOD made the decision to discontinue on demand education when there did not seem to be enough interest in it compared to the cost to maintain it. Reflecting on that moment and knowing the situation of our world today, I know there may be a few members who think that was not the right decision. I think it is one of those situations we can use as a learning opportunity. The BOD had to make a choice to keep our organization financially sound and it seemed like the right choice at the time.
Life change happens—it is inevitable! How we deal with that change is our choice. I prefer to look for positive ways and focus on what we do have. I appreciate being from a region that has innovative thinkers and leaders. I believe our region will make it through these challenging times and survive. However, we need members to step up and take on roles in our organization. WE NEED YOU! We need members to plan educational offerings! We need members to fill board of directors’ positions for WSGNA. Instead of waiting for others to volunteer, will you be the one to step up and help?
Is there anyone else who would like to get involved? Contact me. I’d love to talk to you about the possibilities.
Respectfully,
Amy Komp BSN, RN, CGRN
WSGNA President