By Barbara Holmes Gobel, MS, RN, AOCN®, FAAN
During its December 2018 meeting, the ONS Board of Directors closed a successful year with discussions and decisions that will strengthen ONS leadership at all levels in 2019 and beyond.
Regional Chapter Officer Program
The Board heard a report from Director-at-Large Susan Bruce, MSN, RN, OCN, AOCNS®, about the November regional chapter officer program (RCOP) meeting in Charlotte, NC, that was held with chapter leaders in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. RCOP enables the Board to meet with regional ONS member leaders throughout the country. The Board representative shares the Board’s decisions and ongoing work, but it also provides an opportunity to discuss needs and concerns at the chapter level. Chapters at the November meeting exchanged ideas about reaching members in large or rural areas; one chapter had success with web meetings. Other topics included ideas for meeting activities, such as a mix of educational events, review courses, and community service.
Leadership Development Committee
The ONS Board elected Margaret (Maggie) Frogge, RN, MS, as the next Leadership Development Committee chair. She will begin her two-year term at the ONS Annual Congress in April 2019. The Board also made plans to select replacements for the three members who will be rotating off the committee at Congress.
Governance
Under the new Board governance structure from the member bylaw vote in 2016, the Board made plans to elect the next ONS secretary and treasurer from among the current and incoming directors-at-large. Candidates will be reviewed at the February meeting, and the elected officers will transition at ONS Congress.