December 2011
President’s message
Greetings to you all as the holiday season gets into full swing.
I hope that your plans and preparations for your holidays are going well and that you are able to take some time to reflect on the spirit of the season. In Seattle today it is blustery, we are in a reprieve from the rains, and it is cool. Your chapter's board met Friday using an on-line meeting program that allowed board members to connect from their offices in Everett, various locations in Seattle, and Tukwila. I few more of us gathered in the office of your Vice-President Annie Bruck. Our membership is steady at 80+ and many of you renewed your memberships. This confirms for us that our chapter is continuing to meet the needs of its members. Soon you will have a chance to be involved in answering questions on a survey from your board that will ask for your input on what we should plan for the coming year. Your nominating committee (Susan Matt and Patricia Robertson) will be in touch soon so you can consider running for a position on the board and when it is time for you to vote for a slate of officers and directors that are excited to serve you. Our chapter is in a much more secure financial situation, largely due to the chapter dues increase we instituted last year. At our board retreat in August w evaluated our progress on the goals we set for the board. We are now on facebook; make sure to make us one of your friends. At our October networking meeting a number of us gathered at Azteca Northgate and discussed ideas for training opportunities and partnerships. As I reflect this year on my work with this valuable organization, I focus on my gratitude for the important friends and colleagues that I am fortunate to have as a result of my involvement in WSAOHN. I am also grateful for the work of all the members of the board and officers for their dedication and hard work to make our chapter responsive to the needs of our members and nursing specialty. Finally I appreciate each and every one of you for the important work you are doing to protect the health of workers and your communities through your commitment to occupational and environmental health. Please contact your board officers and directors: myself, Annie Bruck, Sharon Ballard, and Judith Davies, Geraldine Bauer, Linda Blevins, Debbie Fuller, Michelle Kom Gochnour, and Sharon Mickelson, and Linda Wheadon if you have questions, concerns, or want to get involved in your chapter. On behalf of your state chapter leadership ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS!!!
Betsy Gilbert, RN, PhD