Keeping up with what ONS is doing can be a challenge, given the communication overload we all experience. With so much information in our lives, personally and professionally, announcements can slip by without our noting them. Periodically I hear comments or feedback from members about something that has not changed or that did change—several years ago. To help you stay on top of all that’s happening, here are some details that you may have missed.
Special Interest Groups Are Now ONS Communities
ONS transitioned the special interest groups into communities in 2016. Many of the former “SIGs” have maintained a community for their subspecialty, but the all-member community has the most engagement. As an ONS member, you can join any of the communities and set how often you receive updates. Learn more at communities.ons.org/faq.
Membership Dues Have Stayed Level Since 2016—But Benefits Are Increasing
Did you know that member dues have been the same, $125, since 2016? Although the cost of everything in our lives has increased, I am proud that the ONS Board of Directors has annually approved keeping dues flat. But at the same time, we have increased our member resources: You now have more free nursing continuing professional development credits, podcasts, webinars, and the monthly drug reference sheets in ONS Voice.
ONS Enterprise Supports Inclusivity
The Boards and staff had deep discussions throughout 2020 about racial justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion and what those topics mean for our organization. The three corporations that make up the ONS Enterprise—ONS, Oncology Nursing Foundation (ONF), and Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC)—all published similar inclusivity statements that address each corporation’s mission:
Inclusivity statements are a foundational element to holding ourselves accountable. They are a beginning, not a finale.
A Multitude of Methods to Learn About Leadership Decisions
As a member, you want to know what the ONS Board discusses and the decisions they make. You can access minutes from each ONS Board meeting through your profile, and each issue of ONS Voice summarizes the latest meeting. Other opportunities for you to know what your organization is doing are the annual report (a look back), the strategic plan (a look forward), and the annual business meeting, which takes place during ONS CongressTM each year. This year, the meeting is virtual on April 21, 2021, and you do not have to be registered for Congress to attend.
We Want to Hear Your Pandemic Stories
Lastly, we are inviting members to share your stories about caring for people with cancer during a pandemic. The first edition will be available this month, but you can still contribute to future editions of Reflections on COVID-19 and Cancer Care: Stories by Oncology Nurses. I believe that sharing the narrative of our experiences strengthens our resilience, expands our knowledge, and creates collegial bonds. I hope you add your voice to this.