2021 CHAPTER NEWS AND RESUMING IN PERSON MEETINGS!

Hello Charles Towne Chapter!!!

Let me start by announcing our National theme this year:  Rooted in Strength
Nurses are rooted in strength, forged in fire and growing in power.  Rooted in strength, we create our new path forward as leaders in healthcare. - Beth Wathan 2021-22 AACN President  That's exactly what we are as Nurses and as a Chapter!

What a holding pattern we have been in! Our board and officers met in August to begin our annual planning to resume our chapter membership growth, presence in the community, and in person educational events.  Amy Abercrombie, president 2019-2021unexpectanly moved back to Virginia so, I have resumed presidency for the year.  We would like to have a president elect in place for a smooth transition for our fiscal year transition that will begin in July.  If you are interested in this position, please email me.

We would like to have all non active members renew their membership and hope to gain new members as well. Our membership has decreased due to nonrenewal which is understandable as we were not meeting.  Our dues are used to maintain our charter with nationals, sponsor a NTI scholarship, and are gifted to designated organizations that benefit needs of our community as a part of our service projects. Prior to COVID, we were also in the beginning planning phase of hosting a symposium that would generate income but, would require some financial support to host.  

Service to our members and our community are planned quarterly.  While not meeting, we still provided financial gifts to Lowcountry Food Bank and Friends of Fisher House of Charleston.  This year we will be offering an NTI scholarship, planning a chapter group event, collecting items for donation, and giving financially to a community organization.  Although the symposium continues to be on hold, we still have hope to revisit this project in the future.

Since July, we have been actively seeking sponsorship for educational dinner meetings.  Typically, we would have had 4-6 months of sponsorship confirmed going into the new fiscal year but, sponsorship has been difficult to regain for many reasons all secondary to COVID not only for our chapter but for many chapters in our NC and SC region 5 of Nationals.  We will continue to seek sponsorship for meetings and may offer other events when not possible. 

And now, what you've all been waiting for: We have maintained the status quo long enough and  with restraints being lifted,  we are officially resuming in person meetings in December with our first sponsorships confirmed for December 2nd and January 6th.  You will receive an email invitation with an RSVP 1-2 weeks prior to the event.  Please make sure to have your membership active/renewed as members will have priority seating.  I'm excited to see all your faces, to catch up, and to welcome new members and new nurses!

Best Regards,

Grace Rankin
President 

A few reminders:

-National membership is required to be a chapter member.
-Educational dinner meetings are the first Thursday of the month 6-8pm. 
-CERP credit is provided at the end of the presentation.
-NTI will be in Houston, TX May16-18, 2022
-Chapter leadership will have positions for election that will take place in May.