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EWTG President Corner February 2012

February 2012

Finding Your Voice ...


Reflecting on Ginny Booton’s February 2005 President’s article, Ginny mentioned that in Stephen Covey’s, “The 8th Habit – From Effectiveness to Greatness”, Covey talks about finding your “voice” and inspiring others to find theirs. Let’s think about this; … with increased pressure to produce more with less staff and resources, it is imperative to become self-aware and to find your "voice." Your “voice” is to give your life meaning and purpose. In doing so, you tap into your talents and capabilities to develop your effectiveness and potential. Ultimately, you are one of your greatest assets!
 
I joined EWTG in 2000, but it wasn’t until 2005 that I made a commitment to get involved and Chair the Conference Facilities Committee. I learned so much that year. As I continued to participate through the years, I was given an opportunity to Chair the 2009 Conference Committee. During that year I learned about our conference budget (which is huge); how to delegate (I realized that I could not coordinate this conference on my own); to value the skills of others (especially the conference committee chairs that were working with me); to prioritize and meet deadlines (that needs no explanation, right?); and to negotiate with outside vendors that assisted with the coordination of the entire conference. I also learned to appreciate those who support us - our sponsors. I learned all this and much more, but hopefully I’ve convinced you that I grew personally and professionally as I continued to invest time and effort into the growth opportunities that EWTG offers. Now I look back on the 2009 Annual Professional Development Conference as a success because I “found my voice and inspired others to find theirs!” The 2009 Conference Committee Chairs and Committee Members accomplished the 8th Habit through participation in EWTG! 
 
I began this column with this message to help make you aware of the resources at your fingertips. EWTG offers many opportunities to tap into your own talents and capabilities and invest in your personal and professional development, education and career advancement. You are invited to take advantage of participating on one of our many committees and watch the world open up to you in ways that will amaze you. 
 
Service on a Committee:
•Gives you an opportunity to showcase your leadership skills;
•Builds credibility with other members;
•Builds confidence in yourself and your abilities;
•Allows you to network and meet remarkable women that become friends and mentors;
•Grants you more visibility;
•Provides hands-on experience, knowledge, training, and skills;
•Builds your resume and enhances your opportunities for career advancement; and
•Helps to empower your value and success!
 
Below are our current committees and chairwomen. Learn more about these committees by clicking here. No matter what your interest, there is an EWTG committee for you.
 
Affiliates Committee - Gena Minjares, Affiliate Director
Communications Committee – Kathryn Harris, Communications Director
Community Service Committee – Del Randall, Chair
Conference Committee – Tanya Skaarup, Vice President and Conference Chair
Development Committee – Shannon Kelley, Chair
Educational Events Committee – Mindy Eppler, Chair
Legislative Committee – Jan Thomas, Chair
Membership Committee – Susan Durso, Membership Director
Mentorship Committee & Strategic Planning Committee – Mary Castleberry, President Elect
Mini-Course Committee – Connie Williams, Mini-Course Director
Program Committee – Denice Bettencourt, Program Director
Public Relations Committee – Liza Willmore, Public Relations Director
Scholarship Committee – Joelyn Weeks, Chair
 
You can volunteer for any of these committees by completing the volunteer form on our website and emailing it to ewtg@ewtg.org.  Download the form here.
 
“To grasp and hold a vision, that is the very essence of successful leadership—not only on the movie set where I learned it, but everywhere." - Ronald Reagan
 

 

Friday, April 27, 2007

 

 

Dear ONA member,

 

This legislative session, our member’s top priority is ensuring all Oregon kids, regardless of income, have access to health care services. On Thursday, April 26, members of the House voted down HB 2201, which provides health insurance for uninsured Oregon kids funded by a tobacco tax, by a vote of 32-24.

 

One day before the House voted on this bill, ONA’s leadership traveled to Salem to lobby for this legislation. We were joined by Jennifer French, ON-PAC Chair; Kelly Rae Taylor, Chair of the Cabinet on Health Policy; Chris O’Neill, incoming ON-PAC Chair; Teri Gerlt and Karen Elliot members of the Health Policy Cabinet; and members of our Government Relations staff Martin Taylor, Brain DeLashmutt and Caroline Fitchett.

 

Our goal was to impress upon lawmakers the importance of this bill and the strong commitment nurses have to ensuring all Oregon’s kids receive preventative care by passing comprehensive legislation this session. We met with the following legislators; Rep. Vicki Berger (Salem), Rep. Andy Olson (Albany), Rep. Susan Morgan (Myrtle Creek), Minority Caucus Leader Rep. Wayne Scott (Oregon City), Rep. Kevin Cameron (Turner/Salem), Rep. Kim Thatcher (Salem), Rep. Bill Garrard (Klamath Falls), Rep. Jerry Krummel (Wilsonville), and Rep. Karen Minnis (Fairview). For varying reasons, almost every legislator we met with told us they were voting NO on HB2201. But we did not leave Salem without hope. It was clear legislators planned to continue to work on this issue.

 

The message we heard from legislators in our meetings and in the Floor debate on HB 2201 was the same: “When the vote is taken and the bill fails, the debate isn’t over. Both parties are committed to providing health care services to Oregon’s uninsured children.” Though it was surprising to watch the bill fail on a party-line vote, we are not without hope. We believe that both Republicans and Democrats, with constituent communication, will create a package contingent upon all parties’ agreement.

 

Members, there are two important things we want to share with you.

 

First, we’re not giving up. ONA will continue to be in Salem working with lawmakers on this issue. Secondly, we are concerned portions of the bill that are important to nurses could be lost. These include, the creation of a 24-hour nurse advice line for parents, and grants to community based health centers, school based health centers and safety net clinics.

Don’t give up hope. Keep talking to your legislator. Reiterate to your legislator the importance of keeping a nurse advice line, grants for school-based health centers and safety net clinics. You can email your legislator here  www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/.  It’s important we remind our legislators to keep working to pass legislation this session that will solve the health care crisis for Oregon’s children.  

Sincerely,

Bruce Humphreys                                         Susan King

President                                                     Executive Director

 

 

P.S. We are very grateful for Rep. Vickie Berger’s YES vote on HB 2201. Rep. Berger is the only Republican legislator to vote YES on HB 2201. Please join us in thanking her. You can reach Rep. Berger at 503.986.1420 or email rep.vickiberger@state.or.us

 

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