It seems like time is flying by faster with each passing day. 2008 is almost over and it is time to reflect on what we have accomplished in this great organization. The year had its ups and down with a number of things occurring around us which I consider too important to ignore.In our local front, Hurricane Ike hit the Galveston and Houston areas which changed the lives of many including our members. The temporary loss of power and water made us reflect to be thankful for having the basic necessities in life.
Then there was the huge and historic economic bailout affecting our retirement and pension plans.All of a sudden, our society found itself quickly reorganizing its economic habits. And not to miss, 2008 had one of the longest and historic presidential elections.
PNAMH has also been full of activities supporting the agenda for my term of “Giving back our Best” The mantra has continued to drive our activities starting from serving our own members and extending this to the Filipino and Houston community.PNAMH has always prided itself in carrying the service torch and this year was no exception.
We take pride in being able to achieve these milestones showcasing the members’ dedication, hard work and commitment.
Highlights of the activities that have contributed to strengthening the fiber of our organization include:
·Maintaining a vigilant watch on our finances which has kept us financially stable. Despite the economic crunch, the organization has been fortunate to have generous donors and well-off friends.
·Keeping our pledge to continue to provide quality monthly educational activities and the Spring and Fall seminars.
·Having fundraising activities to augment our income.
·Achieving a healthy increase in our new membership as well as increase in our “balikbayan” lifetime members.
·At the national level, having two of our members (Merlita Velasquez and Gloria Beriones) elected to the PNAA Executive Board as VP of South Central Region and Board Member respectively and for the first time, the organization received the President George W. Bush Presidential Award for Community Volunteer activities.
·Most of all, we have been proud to honor and recognize our members who excel in their field of specialty and award scholarships to deserving Nursingstudents with Filipino- American descent during the Annual Nurses’ Gala .
Exciting things await us too, in the coming year as we align our goals and activities with our Mother chapter, the PNAA. PNAA President Leo-Felix Jurado has encouraged the local chapters including ours to pattern our goals to support the PRISM initiatives which stand for :
Professional Linkages
Regulatory & Legislative Agenda Agencies
Interagency Collaboration
Services & Program Development
Managing Organizational resources
In this spirit, the PNAMH Executive Board had its annual retreat where the members collaborated in forming our 2009 goals supporting the above. Some of the goals include working on the abolishment of the CGFNS requirement in Texas, collaborating with other Nurse Ethnic organizations thru the Texas Nurses’ Association and maintaining high visibility through our community outreach activities.
As you see, much still remains to be done. As we move forward to achieve our goals, catch up with the ever changing world of technology, keep ourselves updated on evidenced-based practice and develop our young & upcoming leaders, we must also try to balance our work, family and school life.
I would like to thank each of you for your support, dedication and commitment to our goals and activities. I would also like to put out one more call to you to rally with me as we start 2009 with renewed hope, hopefully more energy and a continued commitment to finish the tasks that lie ahead of us. We know there will be challenges ahead but I firmly believe that we can do it. We have been known to get our work done and our commitment to achieving this year’s goals is no exception.
Please accept my Thanksgiving greetings to you and your loved ones. I am indeed thankful and honored to be leading an organization of fine and professional colleagues.
