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2011-2013 Showcase of Regional Excellence Recipients
All recipients of the Showcase of Regional Excellence have the entry posted on this page, receive a recognition certificate and will be recognized during regional meetings at the 2013 Biennial Convention.
Creating Your Legacy
Omega Chapter Creates a Legacy
The Alpha
Omega Chapter of STTI located at Adelphi University College of Nursing &
Public Health has had a long history over these past 42 years of creating a
legacy to encourage and perpetuate research & scholarship in nursing. Over
this past Biennium 2011-2013 the Alpha Omega Chapter has distributed over
$3,000 dollars to deserving chapter members & non-member to assisting them
in their research.
The Alpha
Omega Chapter Nursing Scholarships are given to undergraduate & graduate
Nursing students annually. The Bernard & Marilyn Klainberg STTI Scholarship
is awarded annually to a nursing student that demonstrates excellence in
Community / Public Health Nursing. The chapter also encourages its members'
research through the Alpha Omega Chapter's Research Scholarship which enabled
two (2) doctorial nursing students to conduct dissertation research. All of
these recipients do present their research as part of the receiving of the
Alpha Omega Scholarships.
Adelphi University College of Nursing & Public Health's Annual Leadership
Conference cosponsored by the Alpha Omega Chapter of STTI is now in its 10th
year. Annually this Nursing Leadership Conference sponsors Podium and Research
Poster Presentations of local nurses throughout the NYC / Long Island area. We
also present an Alpha Omega Chapter Lifetime Achievement & Mentoring awards
to deserving members.
the Alpha Omega Chapter has begun participating in the "Adopt a Nurse for
Haiti" campaign. Under the guidance of one of our members Dr. Carmelle
Bellefleur the chapter started last Fall 2012 in adopting a nursing student for
Haiti. The total coast is approx.$5,000 and we are paying in 3 yearly
installments. Once this is completed we will adopt another nursing student for
Haiti. At our 2012 Founders' Celebration the Alpha Omega Chapter challenged the
other Long Island, NY chapters to do the same.
We would like to challenges to the other STTI chapter to do the same.
Webpage: Promoting Health in Haiti: http://promotinghealthinhaiti.org/
As part of
the Experiential Learning experiences offered by Adelphi University several
chapter members who are Nursing Faculty at Adelphi University College of
Nursing & Public Health do participate in Transcultural experiences. The
Alpha Omega Chapter does support these Faculty Members Service trips by making
donations of disposable cameras for the students to document their trips &
medical supplies for the Costa Rica trip and donation of two (2) Greco Car
Seats to the Navajo Reservation's Indian Injury Prevention Program.
Gamma Beta Chapter - 100 Extra Ordinary Nurses Awards CeremonyThe "100 Extra Ordinary Nurses Awards Ceremony" is an annual recognition program hosted by the Gamma Beta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, located at Howard University. This program recognizes and honors "100 Extra Ordinary Nurses" for their notable contributions to the nursing profession and citizens in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia areas.
Initiated in 1991 and has continued every year since that date, the annual program is held during National Nurses Week. Applicants are nominated by their peers, friends and colleagues for exemplary clinical practice, administration, education, research and civic engagement. Categorical applications are reviewed by a chapter review panel and those selected are presented with personalized awards during the recognition program. The program agenda includes an esteemed nurse keynote speaker, presentation of honoree awards with red roses, pictures and reception. The program is open to family, friends, employees and the general public.
Delta Chapter – Creating Your LegacyGamma
Delta Chapter seeks a strong future for our chapter as our gift to nurses. Our
legacy to our community of nurses is a chapter that is strong, vibrant, and
meaningful in their professional lives. Our goals and our activities this year
fit well with the Presidential Call to Action.
Goal I: Increase
member engagement and chapter visibility by maintaining a link to the chapter
and the society throughout member careers.
participation in programs has tripled from previous years. We find attendance
improves when members can plan year-to-year; rely on the quality of programs;
and find value in member participation. Our communication and marketing update
included engagement with new members with specific projects that appeal to
them. We sent special invitations to our new inductees that was repeated at
orientation meetings and gathering. New members worked in small groups to help
identify chapter needs and self-identify how they wish to contribute. Our new
members helped establish and maintain our Facebook page
2012 Chapter of the Month! We began use of our chapter web page on the circle!
We used the chapter management support, and roster management tools to keep our
database current for both electronic and traditional mail. Our programs are
published in newspaper, website, and Facebook, as well as traditional mail.
Goal II:
Engagement through Collaboration and Expectation
We sought
to engage with area resources and colleagues to help expand the type and
quality of programming available to our membership and to create a sense of
expectation among attendees.
We added
new element to the program format to include a dynamic sharing of ideas with
greater emphasis on the discussion portion of presentations.
is essential when in a large geographic area with light population density. We
have been successful in collaborating with nursing organizations, a chapter in
our region, and with area medical colleagues.
Nurses Day
Celebration and Peer Reviewed Poster presentation. Our celebration of nursing
focuses on networking, discussion, and recognition. The energy, atmosphere, and
turnout were invigorating.
Joint Dinner meeting organized with the area chapter of the State Nursing
Association. This year's topic was Nurses, Public policy and Affordable Care
Act. draw from a wide range of our membership and professional community.
Consortium provides continuing education credits and programs to healthcare
professional. Our members are present at conferences, in program planning,
delivery, and marketing.
Research Symposium with Kappa Tau. Since it's inception, the chapter is
involved in planning, financial support, member presentations, and attendance.
We have
added opportunities to acknowledge and honor nurses through chapter awards and
recognition including updating awards, recognized new member contributions, and
a reward category for mentors.
our new and updated activities, we have created a vibrant community of engaged
members. We seek to strengthen our presence in our rural region through a
variety of electronic mediums and membership efforts. New members are partnered
with older members to improve philanthropy and we are currently developing new
strategies to continue legacy gifts to ensure a strong chapter. Gamma Delta
provides a vital leadership presence for nurses.
Iota Chapter Creating
Your LegacyIn response to the president's call for action the Iota Chapter has invested in nursing
research, scholarships and leadership development in Middle Tennessee. Since
the inception of the DNP program at Vanderbilt University, the Iota Chapter has
sponsored numerous scholarly projects that have both regional and global
import. For example, Iota recently sponsored a DNP project entitled Newborn
Screening: Barriers to Timely Notification Referral and Care in the amount of
$500.00. Iota also helped to sponsor a DNP student's trip to Kenya to conduct
focus groups with women who were key informants for local tribal health care.
has sponsored Nursing Research Day at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for
the last three years promoting research and quality improvement projects with
staff nurses. Iota has sponsored the poster judging sessions and has provided
monetary awards for the top three posters each year for the last three years.
Iota has also provided $2,000.00 for two nurses at the Medical Center to
provide support for their doctoral education.
In terms
of leadership, Iota has mentored new DNP graduates as being members of the
board and has sponsored their travel to regional and national Sigma Theta Tau
Our legacy
was honored at our 60th anniversary conference this past April,
where the Regional Director and President of Sigma Theta Tau were both featured
speakers. At our 60th induction ceremony in 2013 Iota inducted 181
new members, which brings our current membership to more than 700 active
members. Our annual membership meeting will take place September 17th
and the key note sparker's topic will be "Advanced Practice Provider Mentoring
Pilot Project: End of program Evaluation". This pilot project was sponsored by
the Iota Chapter.
We look
forward to continuing to grow our legacy by promoting research, scholarship and
Iota Theta
Creating Your LegacyAs stated in the Presidential Call to Action "your legacy grows when
you commit to your passion, share your resources, and encourage others". On March 31, 2012 Iota Theta chapter did just
that by holding a 25 year celebration in conjunction with its annual Showcase
of Research Excellence, Induction, and Installation of Officers. The chapter
invited all charter members to this catered celebration. In addition, Ms. Carol
Honaker, charter member of Iota Theta, was the keynote speaker. Ms. Honaker
discussed the changes that she has seen in the nursing profession as well as
ways that individuals can contribute to the profession. Ms. Honaker addressed
the beginning nursing students as well as new inductees as to the importance of
professional organizations and life-long learning. She also displayed her scrap
book of nursing over the years.
Additionally, Ms. Ellen Buckner, Region 8 Coordinator, was a special
guest and discussed the importance of the nursing honor society. Ms. Buckner
also served as the emcee for the Induction Ceremony.
Dr. Diane
Weed, Iota Theta past-president, discussed the importance of the DNP in
nursing. This induction was significant in that the first DNP student was
inducted into Iota Theta at this joint celebration.
Also of
interest in this special celebration, all charter members were invited to
assist in the induction ceremony of the new members. One charter member had the
privilege of inducting her daughter into the chapter. This was exciting because
the new inductee had no idea that this was going to occur.
This was
the most well attended event that this chapter has had since the initial
charter with approximately 180 members, inductees, students, friends, and
family. A powerpoint presentation was presented during the celebration with
pictures of chapter events, biennial conventions, and other STTI activities of
which chapter members participated. This "history" of the chapter was very
touching. It is a legacy left for future members to incorporate into other
This event
was also highlighted in the Chapter
Leader Emphasis (Volume 19, Issue 2) as one of the key accomplishments.
This is our legacy…
Lambda Chi
Creating Your LegacyOn
February 17, 2012, the Lambda Chi Chapter hosted its 20th Annual Research
Conference at the beautiful Signature Grand in Davie, Florida. The conference
appropriately themed "Nurses: Catalysts for Change in Practice, Research,
Education, and Health Care Policy" was attended by over 700 nursing
students, nurses, and faculty. Past STTI President (2009-2011) Dr. Karen Morin
a global super star and a true catalyst for change engaged and electrified the
audience with a dynamic keynote address. Additionally, over 40 empowered and
energetic podium and poster presenters served as catalysts for change by sharing
their scholarly work to a very appreciative and attentive audience. One of the
highlights of the conference was the Panel Presentations on Catalyst for
Change: Innovators in Nursing Education, Practice, Leadership and Professional
Nursing. The panel discussions gave attendees an opportunity ask questions and
for the panel to share their expertise and experiences in the areas of nursing
education, practice, leadership, and professional nursing. In true Signature
Grand style the conference attendees were not only treated to a day of
scholarly activities but to a superb breakfast, delicious lunch, and a lovely
afternoon tea. The day concluded with a heart-warming moment when a first-year
nursing student donated his share of the 50/50 fundraiser to charity. All told,
the over $900.00 raised by the Lambda Chi chapter in the 50/50 fundraiser was
donated to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster Funds.
The Annual
Research Conference is one of the many ways that the Lambda Chi is engaged in
supporting the vision of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau
International to create a global community of nurses who lead in using
knowledge, scholarship, service, and learning to improve the health of the
world's people. What started as a simple Research Day with a few Lambda Chi
members have evolved into a large scale Research Conference with hundreds of
attendees. By hosting the yearly research conference the Lambda Chi provides
its members, future members, and nurses from across the globe an opportunity to
share their scholarly achievements. In so doing, the Lambda Chi Chapter has
built its legacy by providing leadership, sharing
knowledge, and supporting research.
Lambda Omicron
Chapter – Creating Your LegacyDuring this biennium we celebrated our chapter's 25th
Anniversary and had the most candidates invited to be inducted in our chapter's
history. In addition, our chapter had two separate inductions to serve the
Sothern (Tucson) and Northern (Flagstaff) regions of Arizona both of which were
well attended.
To increase membership we targeted clinicians, lapsed or inactive
members, new members, nurse leaders, students, and transfer members.
Announcements were made at NAU Faculty meetings and at hospital unit meeting at
Northern Arizona Healthcare. New faculty were also invited to join or transfer
to the Lambda Omicron Chapter.
In total:
In the spring of 2013, we sponsored the sixth annual Navajo Nurse
Symposium at the Abalone Shell Level. Through a competitive essay process
Lambda Omicron chapter selected four Lambda Omicron members to attend the two
day Navajo Nurse Symposium. It was an honor for our Lambda Omicron students to
be able to hear this year's key note speaker, Dr. Jean Watson.
This fall, 2013, we initiated a research dissemination function for
our fall event. The Tribal Colleges and Universities: Perceptions of Presidents
and Students presentation was open to all members and potential members. The
event was well attended with an engaged dialogue at the end of the
We are initiating a new research grant and scholarship program. We
will be offering research grants and scholarships to graduate and post-graduate
students, community members, and faculty. We initiated this process in February
We have increased our visibility and communication by using the Circle
site, Facebook, an independent Gmail account for mass mailings and updates, and
through the School of Nursing Website.
As we enjoyed celebrating our 25th year as a chapter of
Sigma Theta Tau we look forward to our next 25 years. In developing our
research scholarship and grant program and mentoring in new nurse leaders we
hope to expand our membership and therefore our legacy.
Mu Lambda Chapter Creating Your LegacySigma
Theta Tau Internationals' Mu Lambda Chapter board members decided to create a
legacy of giving by investing in new nurses who were nominated to be inducted
into our chapter, but could not afford to pay the membership fee. In 2013,
initially three undergraduate students and one graduate student requested a
financial assistance scholarship to help pay their membership fee. Based on
chapter funds, each of the four individuals received a check for $60.00. Later,
an additional undergraduate student requested assistance, but the chapter had
not designated enough funds for this additional request.
Since it
was the 90th Anniversary for Sigma Theta Tau International, a
challenge was issued to encouraged nine members to donate $90.00 to fund
financial assistance scholarships. A total of $810.00 was donated, $60.00 went
towards the last of the five scholarships for 2013 and $750.00 remains for
future years. By offering these
scholarships, the chapter hopes to engage new nurses who will actively
participate in Sigma Theta Tau International activities. The awardees expressed
gratitude for the scholarship; many stating they would not have been able to
join without this assistance. Thus, commitment to our passion was demonstrated
by contributing one's financial support to lift-up the future nurse scholars.
The legacy of giving creates a path for others to follow and demonstrates a
spirit of giving of one's financial resources – thereby becoming a Sigma Theta
Tau International Chapter where nurse philanthropy is thriving.
Nu Lambda
– Creating your legacy and engaging in collaborationThe Nu
Lambda chapter of STTI hosted the Region 8 conference in October of 2012. This event was important for our chapter on
two different levels: 1) Creating our Legacy, and 2) Engaging in Collaboration.
Nu Lambda
has existed as an STTI chapter at Union University for 20 years now. To my knowledge, we had never hosted a
conference before. But in order to fully
appreciate the information I am about to provide, I must first tell a
story. In February of 2008, just after
the start of the spring semester, Union University was hit by an F5
Tornado. The tornado decimated most of
the undergraduate dormitory buildings and significantly damaged several other
buildings. Since we were there having
classes, our nursing faculty members and students were the first responders on
the scene. When the local, head
paramedic arrived at the scene he immediately notified our hospitals to prepare
for 50 to 100 fatalities. Thankfully,
there was not a single person that lost their life on this campus that fateful
night. We stopped, cried, cleaned up the
rubble, and rebuilt. The campus has
beautiful new, and safer, dorms; and a fabulous new conference center. In the spring of 2009, one year after the
tornado, the Nu Lambda Chapter met and discussed hosting a regional
conference. After collaboration with Dr. Buckner, we received approval from the
members of Region 8 represented at the conference in Hattiesburg in 2010 to
proceed. The two year efforts to plan
the conference caused a renewal within the Nu Lambda chapter. The board members became highly involved in
the process, and as a result, got the Union University students involved in the
process. In the end, we had multiple
Union students present posters, and one even did an oral presentation. There were several faculty board members who
had never been to an STTI conference.
When they saw the wealth of information that they were able to receive,
and the exceptional networking that occurred amongst the RN professionals: It
caused increased efforts to grow the chapter in both size and quality (mission
work, conference support, community involvement, etc.). The number of faculty members that are involved
on the board has tripled between 2010 and 2013.
Because of the conference, we were also able to financially support
several people to go on mission trips as well as support our delegates to
attend the 2013 Biennial STTI Conference planned for November of 2013. In addition, we were able to purchase gifts
to thank two retiring Nu Lambda board members that we recognized at one of the
induction ceremonies in late 2012.
The Region
8 Conference in 2012 planning committee was a collaborative effort between 22
members representing different chapters (8 of those 22 members were Nu Lambda
board members). The efforts of this
planning committee resulted in an exceptional conference. The atmosphere of collegiality and the
networking that occurred were, without exaggeration, the best I have ever
seen. Dr. Karen Morin provided 3
keynote addresses that inspired us with her knowledge, but even more she
inspired us with her humanity. Dr. Ellen
Buckner led the efforts to help us all advance our chapters and engage our
membership ambassadors. Dr. Olivia May
set the stage with her introduction to the conference theme focusing on "The
Heart of Healthcare: When Disaster Strikes Home." I (Dr. Sharon Evans, Program Conference
Chair) stated at the conference that the conference was a success because of
the multiple presenters from across the region and because of their
collaboration at the meeting: That is the truth!
Delta Chapter – Creating Your LegacyOmicron
Delta demonstrates an attitude of gratitude by showing appreciation to nurses,
nursing and giving back in as many ways as possible.
Angie Strawn's communication supports the creation of an Omicron Delta (OD)
legacy through her president's message on the webpage (www.omicrondelta.net).
The message embraces gratitude by committing the chapter to an approach of Appreciating the Past,
Celebrating the Present,
and Creating the Future. This approach allows the chapter to acknowledge all
that they have and give back to others using the resources available to
Delta has a rich history of appreciating the past by honoring chapter
leadership through President Awards (four each year) and supporting members to
attend the Chapter Leadership Summit and Biennial Convention (two to four each
year). Under the category of honoring
the past, Omicron Delta also has created and named two scholarships in honor of
two past presidents. The chapter celebrates and gives back in the present by
focusing on current nursing issues in the monthly newsletters, hosting
professional development meetings (one online per year) and creating service
activities at each conference and board meeting (two per year). Omicron Delta shows gratitude and
appreciation in creating the future by offering the Jo Hoffmeier New Inductee
Award to a new nurse member. This award
supports the new member in learning more about STTI by attending the Biennial
Convention or Chapter Leadership Summit with other Board members. This award as well as the chapter's
Leadership Intern position assist the chapter in identifying future leaders that
will help support sustainability and future growth.
In the
President's Call to Action, it is mentioned to "Commit to your passion by
contributing time, expertise, and/or financial support". Omicron Delta shows that passion is our
commitment to the legacy of nursing through activity and services of Omicron
Delta members and leaders such as:
a chapter leader by honoring her with a Virginia Henderson Fellowship. The chapter is honoring founding president
Dr. Sandra Wise as our first chapter sponsored Virginia Henderson Fellow.
Being a
part of The Patricia Thompson Giving Circle
Creating a
relationship with the STTI Foundation by awarding a leadership and research
grant in the chapter's name. (Leadership Education Grant – sponsored Shela Hirani (2012) and
Lakshimi Rajeswaran (2011) to attend the INRC).
chapter has also created a legacy in regard to service. Every year since 2005 the chapter has engaged
in a service activity in the local area of their education conference. Past service activity groups include:
literacy – www.wrighttoread.com,
Alexandria, VA (local)
to purchase children's books donated to the Wright To Read program
Companions for Independence (National) – raised money to support puppy training
for program
Linus (national) – promote this at all meetings and inductions to provide
blankets for children.
(global) – Promote and support this organization in hopes of helping provide
clean water for all. Raised over $2,200,
noted as featured fundraisers on water.org website and is an ongoing campaign
of the chapter.
Pi Nu Chapter
– Creating Your LegacyThe
decision to actively pursue "name recognition" in the community is the
beginning step to creating our legacy in the community. As we develop large
outreach events such as the Eva Kor night and next year's Zombie run, we expect
name recognition to grow. In this way, our legacy of being an active, vital,
recognizable nursing organization that promotes health awareness to our
community is begun. It is in this way that we fulfill the Create Your Legacy
requirement for the Regional Excellence Award.
Rho Chi-at-Large
Chapter Creating Your LegacyThe Rho
Chi-at-Large Chapter, chartered in 2002, celebrated its 10 years anniversary on
the November 21st 2012 and is thereby the oldest chapter in Europe. During the
last years the Rho Chi Chapter has been growing, reaching out to new members
and and becoming more active than it ever was. The chapter has been increasing
collaboration with other Dutch nursing organisations and nurse leaders both in
the Netherlands and international. The Chapter has an active role in the
European Region with members having important leadership roles in the Regional
Committee, but also in the various committees and task forces active within the
region. All this to fulfil the aims of
the Sigma Theta Tau International. With
its 400 members, the chapter organises various scholarly meetings and
collaborates with nurse leaders in organising events for nurses in clinical
practice, education, research and leadership.
The 10
year celebration Induction Symposium was celebrated in the Ancient Academic
building of Utrecht with over 100 members and other guests joining in the
celebration. Professor Hester Klopper, president eclect was invited and she
attended a pre-symposium meeting with the members of a mentoring group and
discussed with both mentees and mentors,
leadership in relation to professional development of nurses. Among the anniversary guests were some of the
chapters founder, former presidents, board members, and members from other nursing
organisations in the Netherlands. The President, Thóra Hafsteinsdóttir opened
the ceremony with a lecture STTI and Rho Chi and the many benefits of membership. Professor Hester Klopper, gave an
inspiring lecture on STTI and her various projects in Africa, Professor Theo
van Achterberg gave a lecture on leadership. Both Professor Suzanne Prevost,
president of STTI and Professor Lilly Shortridge from New York who also is one
of the initiators of Rho Chi, who were not able to attend, sent congratulations
through a video conferencing. 27 new members were inducted and hopefully these
new members will become actively engaged in the activities of Rho Chi and STTI
on a chapter, regional or global level.
During dinner, the Chapter awarded six individuals, not nurses who have
impacted nursing in the Netherlands, were awarded with the with the "Friend
of Nursing Award". It was amazing how many people joined in the
celebration and this will certainly give a positive impulse in winning more
members for our highly successful organization. In her closing remarks, Prof.
Marieke Schuurmans, who recently became appointed as the Chief Nursing Officer
of the Netherlands, emphasized the importance of leadership in all arena of
nursing including the importance of
delivering high quality care, the importance of high quality education
as well as research, with the ultimate goal of improving the care of
The Rho
Chi Chapter is now organizing an Induction
Conference which will be held on November 25th 2013 in the Academic building of Utrecht. It
is our firm belief that this highly successful 10 years Anniversary Induction
Symposium was a starting point for still greater plans for the future.
Rho Delta
Chapter – Creating Your LegacyContribution
of Rho Delta Chapter Leaders towards Nursing Profession to Create Path for Fellow
Nurses through Modification in the Working Hours for Shift Employees to Promote
Nursing management group / Rho Delta Chapter leaders were able to ensure
appropriate utilization of overlap time, resulting in a work life balance for
the nursing staff, minimizing staff security risks, increased efficiency of 45
FTEs, resulting in increased productive hours, and reduced cost impact by
rupees 10.8 to 16.2 million.
As per
institutional policy, standard working hours for a full time shift employee are
195 hours per month or 45 hours per week. These 45 hours are divided into three
shifts which are morning, evening, and night shifts. However, the evening shift
return and the night shift start were too late in the evening, which raises
issue regarding the safety of the staff especially the young female nurses.
This was reflected in the last few months where increased numbers of incidences
of staff robbery were reported as the staffs were unable to reach home before
midnight after evening shift. This necessitated urgently moving the agenda of
modification of shift working hours forward. As per previous shift hours, each
nursing services staff had 2 hours of *overlap time in their morning shift
which was their paid time. Overlap time refers to the time slot of 2 hours from
1400 – 1600 hours in which both the morning and evening staff are together in
patient care areas. Hence, a need was identified to review the current shift
hours at division of nursing services and to utilize the overlap time
appropriately to ensure appropriate staff coverage in patient care areas.
To resolve
the issue, a comprehensive assessment of working hours was conducted and an
action plan was developed. Multidisciplinary strategies were proposed in
collaboration with Human Resource and the transport department. Leaders from
different departments were involved to facilitate the implementation of the
transport route and pick and drop systems according to the new timings. This change benefited around 1200 employees
working in shift duties particularly the nurses where the nurse leaders
contributed their time and expertise by creating path for the young nurses to
work and study together, balance their professional and personal life, support
their family financially and many more. This is one of the examples where the
leaders advocated for nurses and were able to change the policy of working
hours at division of nursing services.
Upsilon Xi-at-Large Chapter - European Regional Development FundAt the European Business Meeting held in Amsterdam in 2011, the five European chapters committed to developing the newly created European Global Region, and recognized that this would require specific funding. Accordingly they agreed to raise money to establish a European Development Fund which could be used, by means of supporting chapters or individual European members, to "promote the development of STTI in Europe" by, for example, assisting developing honor societies and chapters in Europe and supporting regional activities such as biennial conferences.
The fund was opened in July 2013 by a donation of £5,076, which was (as agreed by all the European chapters) 40% of the profit made by the first STTI European Conference which was hosted by the Upsilon Xi-at-Large Chapter and held in Cardiff in July 2012.
Initial negotiations were begun by the chapter leaders of Upsilon Xi-at-Large Chapter for a fund to be established within the STTI Foundation, but at the Regional Committee meeting held in Cardiff in July 2012 it was agreed that the fund should be established and managed within Europe. The fund is hosted by the Rho Chi-at-Large Chapter in Utrecht, Netherlands, and managed by a Board on which all the European chapters' presidents are represented.
Alpha Omicron Chapter Engaging in CollaborationOn October 12, 2012, Sigma Theta Tau International Alpha Omicron held a conference from 12:30 pm until 5 pm in collaboration with the State of Illinois. The topic was "Nurturing Baby Steps: From the Hospital to the Community." 3.5 nursing CEU's were awarded. The featured speakers were Beth Isaacs, BSN, MPH, IBCLC and LaShon Reese, Med, RD, LDN, CLC. Attendees learned what the State of Illinois is doing to support and nurture breast feeding, beginning with the hospital experience and extending to the community. The Alpha Omicron Chapter, the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Chicago Region Breast Feeding Taskforce sponsored the event. Sigma members, SXU nursing students, SXU nursing faculty, nurses and community members attended the event. For the nursing students, concepts from community, health policy, Pediatrics and OB were covered. Total in attendance was 110.
Beta Tau Chapter - Regional CollaborationWith each change of biennium chapters in a region try new and different activities to collaborate and share. North America Region 7 is no exception, during the 2011-2013 biennium the chapters within the region determined that a regional conference be a priority. Chapters have come together with the regional coordinator to plan this exciting event; however, as the committee began to plan it realized a host chapter for the conference was needed. Beta Tau Chapter, led by President Jeanne Gottlieb, did not hesitate to volunteer for this task. By volunteering for this role Beta Tau Chapter has set an example for other chapters within the region and is placing a high value on bringing the region together in collaboration and partnership.
Nu Xi-at-Large Chapter - Making a Bigger Impact as an STTI Chapter: The Value of CollaborationAs a strategy to leverage its resources, attract new members and collaborate to provide more value, Nu Xi-at-Large Chapter has specifically set the goal to collaborate with as many organizations as possible during the 2011-2013 biennium. The chapter has or will be collaborating with these organizations: Bay Area Black Nurses' Association, University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, Bay Area Association of California Nurse Leaders and Washington Hospital Healthcare System Nursing Research and EBP Council. The programs are as diverse as the groups Nu Xi-at-Large is working with allowing the chapter's membership to attend activities that interest the individual and creates a buzz about Nu Xi-at-Large Chapter.
In addition to this highly successful collaborative conference, the Chapter has been well represented in the European Region with members taking key roles in both the strategic visionary leadership but also in the myriad of committees and working groups. The Chapter believes it has come a long way and has great plans for the future.
Rho Chapter Engaging in CollaborationRho Chapter is blessed with a large, diverse membership and is fortunate to be based in an outstanding nursing environment at the University of Michigan and in the Ann Arbor community. As part of its 2012 strategic plan, Rho Chapter supported partnerships with faculty and students at the University of Michigan, nurses at the University of Michigan Health System and in the Ann Arbor area, and nursing students in Haiti through the following endeavors:
Through these collaborative partnerships Rho chapter contributed to nursing scholarship, education, and community service with our local and global community partners.
Upsilon Chapter - Engaging in CollaborationUpsilon Chapter had truly worked on engaging in collaboration, on the local, regional and global level. Upsilon has begun partnering with NYU College of Nursing, collaborating with the different disciplines of Communications, Alumni Relations, and Student Affairs. With the new partnership, Upsilon will increase its visibility to nursing students and alumni and provide guidance in students' and nurses' career. The College of Nursing Associate Director of Communications will be working with the Upsilon Communications Chair toward disseminating information that will be presented to nursing students about the chapter on the College website. We have worked with the Alumni Department of the College of Nursing as Upsilon has voted toward donating to the new College of Nursing building that will bring state of the art technology to classrooms for nursing students. Upsilon has also begun collaborations with the student associations at NYU, partnering to creating a Mentorship event as well as becoming a combined team for the Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk.
We have worked closely within Region 14 for the programming for United Nations events. Upsilon has the privilege of being host to the first United Nations Interest Group and the Regional biennial event "Millennium Development Goals: Focus for Region 14 Chapters." In addition, the chapter leader of Upsilon will be coordinating the regional dinner at the Leadership Forum.
Members within the chapter have worked with STTI and have played a role in committees such as the Rising Star Taskforce.
Upsilon Xi-at-Large Chapter - STTI European Regional Conference
At the European Business Meeting held in Amsterdam in 2011, the five European chapters made a decision that a European Region Conference would be held biennially in the years between STTI Biennial Conventions. The five chapters agreed that such an event would strengthen the links between the chapters and would facilitate the development of the chapters collaborating within Europe as one of STTI's new global regions. The first conference would be held in 2012, and bids were invited to select which chapter would host it. The bid submitted by Upsilon Xi-at-Large Chapter was selected.
A Conference Planning Committee was established consisting of representatives of each of the five European chapters. The committee met monthly using Skype to ensure that all information was shared and all decisions were made collaboratively.
The theme chosen for the conference was "Diversity Across Europe: Implications for Nursing," as an important challenging issue that nursing is confronted with. Each chapter agreed to sponsor one keynote speaker, and each keynote speaker addressed one dimension of European diversity – including nursing education, regulation, practice, population movement, and policy development within the European Union. Ninety-two abstracts were submitted, and 36 were selected for oral presentation in concurrent sessions and 29 as posters; the selection was made by a scientific committee on which all chapters were represented.
The conference was held in Cardiff, Wales, 12-14 July 2012. It was attended by 110 participants (exceeding by 50% the number originally planned) from 20 countries. The venue (Maldron Hotel) and the program (including a Welsh Banquet at Cardiff Castle) were specifically selected to facilitate networking as well as learning. New collaborative relationships were established at both individual and organizational level, e.g. between STTI Europe and the European Federation of Nurse Educators. Attending chapter members felt that the conference stimulated networking between nurses from the various countries focusing on different specialties within nursing and that it facilitated and strengthened collaboration between chapters within the region.
The conference was evaluated (70% response rate) as "an outstanding success". One participant, from Malta, commented:
"Unforgettable experience, especially meeting so many nurses from different countries. Makes you proud of the nursing profession…. I never knew of STTI before; thanks to my thesis supervisor I was chosen to present a paper. Therefore one should take the opportunity to promote STTI in different nursing colleges while organizing conferences in different European countries."
Information about the processes developed for this first STTI European Region Conference has been shared and documented, and will be used for further European conferences. The next STTI European Region Conference will be held June 16-18 2014 in Sweden, hosted by the Tau Omega Chapter.
Omega Chapter responds to the call of Vulnerable PopulationsLocally –
with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in October & November on neighbors on
Long Island, NY were a vulnerable population. Members of the Alpha Omega
Chapter served as Nassau & Suffolk Counties as MRC team members working in
Red Cross and county designated shelters. Several members organized clothing
& food drives. In December 2012, the Alpha Omega Chapter joined with the
Adelphi University Collaboration Project, Zeta Beta Tau, Ruth S. Ammon School of
Education, and the Criminal Justice Club
to provide "A Meal for Christmas" that was directed to assist the
Atkinson School Project Freeport (UFSD)-storm "Sandy" Displaced Families. It
enabled distribution of hearty and heartfelt Holiday Food Baskets for more than
100 displaced families (children, their families and their teachers) in the Freeport Public School District.
several of our members work with the College of Nursing & Public Health in
the area of Community Health fairs focusing on the Elderly of Nassau County and
the Chinese / Asian Populations of Flushing Queens, NY .
the Alpha Omega Chapter has begun participating in the "Adopt a Nurse for
Haiti" campaign to promote health in Haiti. .Under the guidance of one of our
members Dr. Carmelle Bellefleur the chapter started last Fall 2012 in adopting
a nursing student for Haiti. Once this is completed we will adopt another
nursing student for Haiti. At our 2012 Founders' Celebration the Alpha Omega
Chapter challenged the other Long Island, NY chapters to do the same. We would like to challenges to the other STTI
chapter to do the same. Webpage: Promoting Health in Haiti: http://promotinghealthinhaiti.org/
As part of
the Experiential Learning experiences offered by Adelphi University several
chapter members who are Nursing Faculty at Adelphi University College of
Nursing & Public Health do participate in Transcultural experiences. The
Alpha Omega Chapter does support these Faculty Members Service trips by making
donations of disposable cameras for the students to document their trips &
medical supplies for the Costa Rica trip. This indigenous population has
epidemic numbers of Type 2 Diabetes that is going untreated with skin
ulcerations and hypertension as just two of the problems facing this population
that lacks access to health care.
Transcultural Experience on a Navajo Reservation's work with The Navajo Injury
Prevention Program was in great need of car seats. The Alpha Omega chapter
donated of two (2) Greco Car Seats to help elevate the increased number of childhood
MVA fatalities due to lack of child care safety seats & protection.
Omicron Chapter – Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsOn March 6th,
2013 from 6:30 pm until 9 pm, Sigma Theta Tau International, Alpha Omicron
presented a panel discussion on Issues in Domestic Violence in collaboration
with the Departments of Sociology, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Art and
Design, the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and African American Studies at Saint
Xavier University as well as A New Direction Beverly Morgan Park (A.N.D.) The panel consisted of Rita Ryan, ICDVP,
Woman's Advocate, Itedal Shalabi, Executive Director, Arab American Family
Services, Judge Timothy P. Murphy, Domestic Relations Division, Circuit Court
of Cook County, Susan Hampson, MS, RN, NP-C, Emergency Nurse, Assistant
Professor, President of Sigma Theta Tau International Alpha Omicron, Jessica
McCarihan, President of the Board of Directors, A.N.D., Steve English, Owner,
The Blossom Boys, Gwen Spragg, Principal Nimble Digital Media, Survivor,
Officer Claretha Cross, Chicago Police Department, Leslie Landis, J.D., Court
Administrator, Domestic Violence Division, Circuit Court of Cook County, Office
of the Chief Judge, and Kristy Ardetti, LCSW, ICDVP. The panel moderator was Dr. Pat O'Brien. Sigma members, nursing students, faculty from
Saint Xavier University and members from the community attended the event. Each panel member discussed and shared their
experience/stories in regard to domestic violence as well as signs of domestic
violence, how to report it, issues in the court systems, and the impact it has
on families. There was also a question
and answer session. Alpha Omicron has been
working closely with A New Direction Beverly Morgan Park (A.N.D.) for the past
year and a half in regard to Issues in Domestic Violence and supporting their
cause to address this issue. 168
attended the event.
20 Saint Xavier University nursing students also helped at A.N.D. fundraiser in
October 2012. Mary-Murphy Smith a
current Sigma Alpha Omicron member also sits on the board of A.N.D. and we also
sponsored another event with A.N.D. on February 15, 2012, Domestic
Violence: Putting the Pieces
Together. Realities, Myths, Effects on
Victims. The featured speakers were Rita
Ryan, CDVP and Kristy Arditti, AM, LCSW, CDVP.
Approximately 100 students and faculty attended this event at Saint
Xavier University. It was a presentation
and question and answer session that went from 6pm until about 8 pm. They continue to want Alpha Omicron to
sponsor events with their organization.
Beta Xi Chapter Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsBeta Xi has a long-standing history of embracing service as a core strategic value. Our service initiatives respond to the needs of vulnerable populations both locally and globally. The outreach endeavors are initiated by, coordinated by, and include a variety of Beta Xi members. Members have formed strategic alliances with numerous community agencies to conduct these efforts, which help publicize the unique contributions of STTI. Community collaborations also help to increase the impact of our service efforts and ensure the sustainability of efforts over time.Holiday Outreach (Jennifer Graber and Cynthia Diefenbeck, coordinatators; over 50 members to contribute to the effort either in donations or personal time; past collaborators include Delaware Technical Community College's Student Nurses Association and MidAtlantic Behavioral Health.) For over a decade, Beta Xi has sponsored a holiday outreach for 40 chronically mentally ill adults through a collaboration with Upper Bay Counseling (www.upperbay.org). The agency provides a personalized wish list to the chapter. In addition, each client receives a hygiene pack. Members bring the wrapped gifts to the center where the chapter hosts a festive holiday luncheon. Staff remark how they have come to rely on this event and clients express great joy and appreciation.Wine Tasting Benefit Event to support Newark Empowerment Center (Evelyn Hayes, Jennifer Graber, 2 Leader Interns; over 30 members contributed to the effort either in donations or personal time.) This year we hosted an inaugural benefit designed to raise money for expanding our philanthropy efforts. One member donated the venue, and the chapter provided food. Members came out to support the event and donated hygiene products. The chapter received a percentage of the sales proceeds that were used to complete over 60 hygiene packs for the Newark Empowerment Center (http://www.udel.edu/fhnec/) which provides support to the homeless.Stockings for Soldiers (Gail Wade and Diane Rudolphi, coordinators; collaborated with UD's Student Nurses Organization; over 40 members contributed to the effort.) Delaware-based non-profit, Stockings for Soldiers (www.Stockingsforsoldiers.org), provides personalized Christmas stockings. In this collaborative effort, Beta Xi helped collect items needed for the stockings.Books for Uganda (Judy Herrman and Kathy Petruski, coordinators; over 20 members contributed to the effort.) Several Beta Xi members who are nursing faculty led an initiative to gather new or gently used nursing textbooks as well as support the cost of shipping overseas. Dozens of books were collected and shipped in support of increasing access to updated educational materials for Registered Nurses working in orphanages and clinics throughout the country.
Hygiene packs for Haiti (Evelyn Hayes, coordinator; over 40 members contributed to the effort.) In this collaborative event with a local church, Beta Xi Members donated hygiene bag items, the chapter provided a cash donation for the purchase of additional items, and members assisted in assembling bags. Over 125 bags were assembled and shipped to Haiti in support of the protracted relief efforts.
Flip-Flops for Haiti (Kathy Riley-Lawless, coordinator; over 25 members contributed.) In a collaborative event with the school's Student Nurses Organization, Beta Xi members donated new flip-flops which were taken to Haiti.
UNICEF Water pump (Megan Holdridge, coordinator; over 25 members contributed to the effort.) A new inductee requested we consider this effort, and the chapter empowered her to think creatively for a way to raise the funds. She decided to sell "Blow Pops" to all nursing students. This money, along with donations from members and a matching donation from the chapter, was sufficient to purchase a water pump that will provide clean water to a community in a developing country (http://www.unicefusa.org/work/water/).
Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Relief (Judy Herrman, coordinator) Beta Xi provided a donation to the Red Cross in response to the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy, which directly impacted some of our members and their families.
Beta Xi's support of vulnerable populations also extends to its own members. Student scholarships are provided each year. In addition, new member subsidies are available if invited candidates are unable to join due to financial barriers. The chapter works with these students to help them complete the Edith Anderson subsidy application. The chapter agrees to finance the remainder of the membership and induction fees not covered by the Edith Anderson subsidy. Beta Xi also provides free individual tutoring to ALL nursing students, saving them approximately $12 per hour. Beta Xi Global Ambassador Program funds a portion of international service trip. This past year we sponsored the membership of an international member in order to cultivate an ongoing relationship that will (hopefully) lead to a newly chartered chapter at Plymouth University (UK).
Our ability to maintain a vibrant service outreach orientation that responds to the needs of vulnerable populations locally, regionally, and internationally, is directly related to the passion, dedication, and enthusiasm of our members. In addition, Beta Xi maintains a vibrant Philanthropy Committee which supports these efforts through a variety of fund-raising activities. For these reasons, we believe our chapter is deserving of the Regional Showcase of Excellence Award in the category of Responding to Vulnerable Populations.
Chi Beta Chapter
– Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsFrom Chi
Beta's beginnings as an honor society, our members have sought to respond to
our president's Call to Action by using every opportunity when we gather as a
way to 'give back' as a way to 'move forward'.
Our chapter has embraced the issue of human trafficking because the
victims are a vulnerable population and the members of Chi Beta recognize that
by bringing awareness of human trafficking to the nursing community this increases the possibility of victims being
identified and rescued. We believe that
by applying our nursing knowledge we can have a positive global impact. Since current research suggests approximately
28% of victims come into contact with a healthcare provider while in captivity (Isaac, Solak, & Giardino, 2011). Our goal of
being part of the solution of ending human trafficking is embraced by each
member and closely mirrors many of the UN Millennium Goals.
Our honor
society formation and initial induction was in September of 2011 with
significant interest of our West Coast University from three campuses. Our membership continues to grow and regular
gatherings hold inductions and educational programs that focus on the issue of
human trafficking and other vulnerable populations.
In April
of 2012, our members supported Souls for Souls with an educational program on
the impact that shoes and health have on lower socio-economic counties. Our members donated several carloads of
gently used shoes, which were sent to those in need around the world.
In the
same year, August of 2012 our educational program was presented by Zoe
Children's Homes, a non-profit that works to end child trafficking. This event
was very well attended in a large ballroom in Orange County, California. In a
show of support our members brought school supplies that are used to welcome
children who have been rescued and now live in a protected Zoe home in Thailand.
During the program it was explained how the team in Thailand receives notice of
children who need to be rescued. The Chi
Beta members approximately 300 participants
as a show of support raised an additional $1,500.00 to be donated to Zoe
Children's Homes.
Our final
meeting in 2012, in November focused on the president's Call to Action with a
review of the chapters activates to date and a commitment by the group to
continue supporting the efforts of vulnerable populations including those of
human trafficking.
took special pride that we were able to build the largest walking team for the
first annual Zoe Rescue Walk and enjoyed the u-tube video of our team's hot
pink sweatshirts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_r74d7KEp8 ).
Our first
meeting in 2013 was held in April for a large induction of new members. Our educational presentation was very
interesting because the Southern California human trafficking task force was
well represented. Very well received was a discussion by Tom Thorton, of the
LAPD's homicide division who discussed every day activities and how an RN
helped him to identify a victim of human trafficking. Members took information on how to reach the
task force should we encounter a victim and provided the task force with
clothing, shoes and personal hygiene supplies for rescued victims.
Delta Lambda Chapter - April Showers - Our Lady's InnIn April 2012, Delta Lambda hosted a shower for Our Lady's Inn. Our Lady's Inn is a homeless shelter for pregnant women. For the shower, we collected items needed by Our Lady's Inn. Requested items ranged from jars of spaghetti sauce to diapers. We hosted a luncheon for members to attend and bring their "shower gifts". Approximately 25 members attended this event and as usual, our members were very generous.
Epsilon Chapter – Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsEpsilon
Epsilon Chapter is excited for the opportunity to share how members support
vulnerable populations both locally and internationally. In the fall
orientation, the Epsilon Epsilon president speaks to 250 nursing students about
the organization and the opportunity for membership. It is an impressive sight
when all members are asked to rise and the students in the room are able to
identify 15 faculty and 25 recently inducted peers who are members. This is our
first step each year in identifying members for the general student population.
They recognize these members can be their role models over the next year.
student members along with two faculty members finish each September by
stuffing "goody" bags for participants at the Mark Linder Walk for the Mind, a
local walk to raise awareness of brain tumors and funds for research. These
same individuals also volunteer at the Walk event, which is held the last
Saturday in September each year. Student members have used this volunteer
opportunity to identify how they have been impacted by brain tumors within their
own family and friends group, recognizing that brain tumors do not
discriminate, thus making anyone part of a vulnerable population.
year's Walk is 9/28/2013. Over 17 students are volunteering led by Epsilon
Epsilon faculty and student members.
On October 13, 2011, Kay Shank, MSN, RN, a former President of Epsilon
Epsilon Chapter spoke to over 45 students and faculty about her experiences
working with "Friends of Children of Haiti" which is a mission group that
involves collaboration between physicians and other health care workers to
bring health care to a vulnerable population. Student interest was high with
several students expressing interest in traveling to Haiti with this group in
the future.
October, 25, 2012 one student member, Emily Smith presented to other student
members, faculty and the student nurses association on her mission trip to
Ghana. There were 10 faculty members of Epsilon Epsilon, 20 student members of
Epsilon Epsilon and 30 Student Nurses Association members in attendance. Her
presentation was a wonderful example of her service to a vulnerable population
on an international scale.
This past
year, active members found ways to reconnect with some of the more elderly and
inactive members. In late spring 2013, one member, sent cards to five elderly
inactive members just to let them know the chapter had not forgot them. She
learned from this card campaign that one of these formerly very active members
had developed Alzheimer's disease. Another of the older members who recently
become less active has been offered rides frequently by two other active
members to chapter meetings and other social events.
While this
is a sampling from the last two years, I would be remiss if I didn't say that
our members have been doing several of these things for many years, because
that's "who we are!"
Eta Delta
Chapter – Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsThe Eta
Delta Chapter is addressing the needs of vulnerable populations around the
world. In recognition of STTI's 90th
anniversary celebration, the Eta Delta Chapter collected 90 items of clothing
for the Dress for Success Program in Nigeria.
The chapter also donated 90 items of clothing and shoes to a local
church for its community outreach ministry.
This ministry provides clothing, food, and other services to a local
women's homeless shelter. Women from the
shelter participate in various activities at the church, including worship
services and the weekly B/P and blood glucose monitoring sessions. Over 90 toiletries have been collected and
will be sent to individuals serving in the military overseas.
financial donation was given to the GRIND (Get Ready to Initiate a Nursing
Degree) Program at Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing in 2012
and 2013.
summer program was initiated to create a blueprint for academic success and
retention among minorities. Although Eta Delta Chapter was not directly
involved in the implementation of the program, members of the board responded
to a request to assist with the cost of the luncheon and t-shirts for
participants who completed the program.
Hopefully, some of the participants will become future candidates for
membership in the Eta Delta Chapter.
One of the
2013 inductees agreed to serve as the Membership Ambassador to strengthen the
connection with all members and to increase collaborative relationships with
school and non-school affiliated volunteer organizations. Our goals are to increase the chapter's visibility and to
further respond to the needs of students and other vulnerable groups. The Eta Delta Chapter has organized a team
for the Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes.
During the
Annual Induction Ceremony of 2013, an undergraduate student was awarded a $1000
scholarship. This student was able to
maintain a 3.00+ GPA, in spite of having to make frequent weekend trips from
Houston, Texas to her hometown in Louisiana to assist in the care of her
The Gamma Pi At Large Chapter Service Grant was used to purchase supplies for the above-mentioned education booths and screening activities. Such supplies included, gloves, alcohol swabs, Band-Aids, hand sanitizer, lancets, glucose testing strips, etc.
Gamma Pi At-Large chapter officers collaborated with the UNMC Public Affairs Office to arrange for publicity that highlighted the interprofessional activity and the support provided by STTI Gamma Pi at-large Chapter.
Gamma Zeta Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsThe Presidential Call to Action created a spark for our Chapter. As a result, our ChapterOfficers committed to making a difference not only in our local community, but to reachout beyond our physical location. Elizabeth Van Horn and Don Kautz, co-Chairs ofDevelopment, presented the idea of hosting a "Wine to Water" event. Wine to Water isa non-profit aid organization dedicated to providing free, clean water to disadvantagedpopulations around the world. With nearly 1 billion people without a clean water sourceit is easy to feel this was a worthy cause. Just imagine, the average American uses100-176 gallons of water a day. The average African family uses five gallons a day.Wine to Water believes that wine is a symbol of fortune in our society. Why not usewine to as a vehicle for the fortunate to "fight for those who can't fight for themselves?"Our Board was instantly attracted to the idea and voted unanimously to host an event.We felt that it would be a novel way to bring our members together with a dual purposenetworkingfor our members and contributing to the health and wellness of people in adisadvantaged area of the world. Our goal was to raise enough money to provide a wellfor a family in Cambodia where only 36% of the population has access to safe, cleandrinking water. We would need to raise $500! A little intimidated, but committed to thecause, we moved forward.
The event was held March 21, 2013 at the home of Joan LoPresti, President of GammaZeta Chapter. We decided to use Wine to Water's own label wine. Their wine sells for$16 a bottle with $7 going directly to fundraising. Don Kautz generously donated thewine for the tasting, helping to reduce our upfront costs. The Chapter supplied cheese,crackers and fresh fruit to pair with the wine. Actual attendance was lower than weanticipated- but we were not discouraged! With continued efforts donations continuedafter the event. We raised a total of $584! We were beyond thrilled!
A few months later we received the best news ever- a picture of the family in Cambodiawith their new well. Next to the well is a sign indicating "who" made the well possible.Although the sign is recognition of our Chapter's efforts it pales in comparison to theemotion we feel looking at that picture. The picture brings tears to our eyes every timewe look at it. To see the joy in that families eyes, the pride of owning their own wellbringsemotion to the surface that is undeniable.
Mu Lambda Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsAs Mu
Lambda Chapter members and Sigma Theta Tau International nurse leaders walked
through the halls at the 41st Biennial Convention held in Grapevine,
Texas, we were greeted by large banners that identified each of the eight
United Nation's Millennium Development Goals.
Goal 1 - Eradicate extreme
poverty and hunger
Goal 2 - Achieve universal
primary education
Goal 3 - Promote gender
equality and empower women
Goal 4 - Reduce child
Goal 5 - Improve maternal
Goal 6 - Combat HIV/AIDS,
malaria and other diseases
Goal 7 - Ensure
environmental sustainability
Goal 8 - Develop a global
partnership for development
Sigma Theta Tau International has become an official non-governmental
organization of the United Nations, we have discussed how to best support the
United Nation's Millennium Development Goals that lay the foundation for
improving world health by 2015 and beyond.
Prior to attending the conference, the majority of chapter members were
unfamiliar with how nurses were contributing to the Millennium Development
Goals and the nursing faculty at Minnesota State University, Mankato had to
learn how to promote the Sigma Theta Tau International partnership with the
United Nations. During the flight home, we questioned whether we had the
ability to address the needs of vulnerable populations across the life span and
around the world. Everyone may become vulnerable at some point in their
lifetime, and nurses must address the needs of the poor and underserved,
mothers and children, the elderly and rural dwellers who are especially at
Since the
nursing curriculum was recently revised, it was determined that a new course
entitled N334 Physiologic Integrity I
that focuses on global health concerns and related health promotion, prevention
and early detection of alterations in physiological integrity which contains an
experiential learning component. Thus, four chapter board members designed a
set of nursing integration stations where students were exposed to
evidence-based practices in providing societal level care. Through the use of
images and stories, the nursing students were made aware of the United Nations
Millennium Development Goals and learned how to promote the health and
well-being for society. In addition, students were also introduced to primary,
secondary and tertiary levels of prevention, public health intervention wheel
and how to work with interpreters. Had
it not been for the Mu Lambda Chapter that sponsored the nursing faculty to
attend the biennial convention and had it not been for the vision of Sigma
Theta Tau International to align itself with the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals, nursing students would not have been exposed to this
transformational learning experience!
Nu Lambda Chapter Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsEach year
our School of Nursing sends three groups of students and faculty to the mission
field for a week, allowing the graduate and undergraduate students an
opportunity to provide nursing care for those less fortunate. 2013 has been no different. The first week of January, a group of nurse
practitioner students and faculty (around 35 total), went to the Dominican
Republic and provided care in clinics around the area of Juan Dolio. They saw about 900+ patients in extremely
poor sugar cane villages. The group was
able to provide medication and health education, as well as play with the
children and talk to the people about their walk with God.
The final
week of January, 27 nurse anesthesia students and faculty, along with a
hospital administrator from a local facility, also went to the Dominican
Republic and split their time between clinics in the poor sugar cane villages
and a hospital in the town of La Romano.
They were accompanied by two surgeons and surgical care was provided for
45 patients, along with 600+ patients in the villages that required medical
care. There was time to enjoy the
children in the villages with a game of baseball with Gatorade caps for the
ball and sticks for the bat! Our male
students really had fun with this and the children LOVED it.
In 2012, during
fall break and upcoming spring break in 2013, a group of undergraduate nursing
students and faculty visited and will repeat a visit to a small community in
Kentucky in the Appalachian Mountains.
These students had/have an opportunity to provide basic checks of vital
signs, provide health education, diabetes monitoring, hygiene teaching, and
mingle with the people of the community.
three opportunities are such a blessing for our students and our faculty. Of course, cost is a huge issue and some
letters requesting support and t-shirt sales are done to help offset the
cost. This year, Sigma Theta Tau, Nu
Lambda, very generously donated $1,000 to each of the 3 trips to help with the
cost. This was a huge blessing for the
people in the areas where visits were made, as well as to the
students/faculty. It is so good to be
able to tell the students that our Nursing Honor Society is involved in the big
picture of their education. Not only is
Sigma Theta Tau interested in excellence in the classroom, they are interested
in excellence in practice. . whether in the U.S. or abroad. It was an additional perk that all of the
faculty that accompanied the students are members of STTI and many of the
students are as well. The support of
STTI in ways such as this makes membership in this society a true blessing!
Lambda Chapter Responding to Vulnerable
College School of Nursing's (MCSON) Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
(STTI), Omicron Lambda and the School of Nursing, in conjunction with Course
NUR477D Spiritual Aspects of Nursing, partnered with Medical Missions
International (MMI) to form the mission team that traveled to Leticia, Columbia
in South America, June 15 - 22, 2013.
Leticia, a small frontier town of 37,000, located 4.09º south and 69.57
º west on the north bank of the Amazon River.
This small town of 37,000 is the capital of the state of Amazon as well
as Columbia's southernmost town and only major port on the Amazon River.
The 2013
Mission team consisted of 19 people: three faculty, nine students, four
registered nurses, and three new BSN graduates.
Nine of the 19 team members were members of Omicron Lambda. The team
goal was conducting medical clinics for and ministering to members of
Columbia's endangered indigenous tribes that live in remote villages beside the
Amazon. The team departed Leticia and traveled six hours by boat up the Amazon
River to establish a base post in one indigenous village. Each day thereafter, we traveled to different
villages. Team members participated in
various areas of service in each village, triage, medical assessment, pharmacy,
immunizations, de-worming, de-licing, gynecological exams-pap smears, fluoride
treatments and dental assisting. The
missionaries associated with MMI in Leticia will be conducting follow up visits
with patients needing further treatment for abnormal pap smears. Our team experienced local culture through
living in tents set up in an open church, bathing in the Amazon due to lack of
running water, eating local foods such as alligator, and making nightly
alligator hunting trips with indigenous tribesmen.
The team
ministered to the people in the village not only by meeting their physical
needs but also by meeting their spiritual needs. Each night in an effort to socialize with the
village members the team conducted soccer tournaments for the children in the
village. Team members served as
"coaches" for the two games played each night and they ministered to villagers
each night by acting out a Bible story and sharing the Gospel between the
soccer games. By conducting medical
clinics in Columbia's remote border region, the mission team aspired to helping
reduce child disease and deaths, improve maternal health, and combat malaria
and other major diseases. While the 2013 mission trip was informative and fun,
its greater value was the enrichment each team member experienced through
performing medical services for and ministering to members of Columbia's
vulnerable indigenous population.
Omicron Xi-at-Large Chapter Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsSupport
the STTI Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy - Chapter
member Amy Cotton is a member of the STTI 2008-2009 Geriatric Nursing
Leadership cohort. She represented Omicron Xi at the Sigma Theta Tau 24th
International Nursing Research Congress in Prague July 22-26, 2013. Her
presentation entitled "Gerontological
Nursing Leadership in Post-Acute Settings: Long Term Care and Community
Health" reflected her quality efforts at improving the care of elders in the
geographic area represented by Omicron Xi at large chapter. Omicron Xi provided
financial support to help Ms. Cotton attend this conference.
Ms. Cotton will be sharing her experiences visiting and teaching at a
government hospital in Bangalore, India at the chapter fall educational program.
Her presentation is entitled: "The Power of Culture in Healthcare: One Nurse's
Impact on Improving Healthcare for Older Adults in India."
The University of Maine, in large part through the efforts of Dr. Nancy
Fishwick, started a fully online inter-professional graduate certificate in
gerontology. Chapter members are currently enrolled in the certificate program
with the goal of improving care to rural elders in Maine.
through your chapter to provide student scholarships and small grants
Pi Iota Chapter –
Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsBackground:
In responding to
vulnerable populations, this project describes how we've achieved to help to
improve the relationship between cancer patients and caregivers as they have
diverse educational needs. Many research papers have shown that cancer patients
want to learn more from information, especially when making treatment
decisions. Education helps patients to manage side effects and improve
adherence to their treatment. Caregivers, on the other hand, are usually
neglected, but are often the ones to handle some of the health care
responsibilities of their loved ones and may suffer stress when providing care.
To alleviate these problems, PIC contributed to develop this partnership
project of nurses and allied health professionals in working with the church
fellowship group to educate cancer patients and their caregivers and to improve
relationships between them through parish nursing.
1) To ensure that the
knowledge of patients and their caregivers are adequate.
2) To strengthen the
relationship between cancer patients and their caregivers.
3) To enhance positive
thinking of participants through provision of meaningful interventions.
4) To minimize the
stress of caregivers when they are providing care.
This community program
was a joint venture between Honor Society of Nursing and an Alliance Church. It
started in January through July of 2013, and was delivered in 3 sessions.
Session 1:
Building rapport between cancer patients and their caregivers
It started with an
ice-breaking performance by a magician and his team. Caring cards were
introduced to participating patients to express their appreciation to their
significant others. Stretching exercises were led by physiotherapy team, and
followed by health educational talks.
Session 2:
Using holistic approaches ranging from physical to psychological dimensions
It started with a healthy food talk
by a dietitian, followed by a variety of stretching exercises, and ended with
psychological sharing by a psychologist. Quizzes were set, and participants
with correct answers were awarded with prizes. An End-of-life scrapbook was
introduced. Participants were encouraged to complete the first part of the book
to self-reflect their life journeys, whilst the part on 'Life and death
education' would be covered in session 3.
Session 3:
Involving cancer patients in documenting personal notes to their beloved
This was actually a
tailor-made session in response to the request of cancer patients and their
caregivers. It started with a 'Life and Death' education and followed by
self-evaluation of caregivers and witness-sharing from all participants. This
session closed with an activity in using the scrapbook named "Let me talk", to tell their
family caregivers what the cancer patients considered as most significant and
to convey their wishes in planning for life and death decisions.
The parish nurse
program has facilitated a happy relationship through the provision of
activities and education to cancer patients and their caregivers by
professional staff, such as dietician; wound nurse; oncology nurse; clinical
psychologist; physiotherapist; and academic nursing expertise. In addition, we
also injected entertainment element through the performance of the Hong Kong
caring magic circus, who have taught them ways to play some magic tricks that
they can showcase to their loved ones while increasing their sense of
confidence with humor. We have accomplished to strengthen the trusting and
supportive relationships between the cancer patients and their caregivers after
the program and consequently bring about decreased stress to caregivers. We've
also contributed to increase cancer patients' self-image and self-confidence
that they have shown positive thinking in their daily lives.
The program evaluation
in the final session revealed from conversation with church staff and
fellowship participants that they have sensed the rapport built with the PIC
Board members after the three community events and would like to continue
having nursing professional support in constructing the Parish Nursing Model in
the long run. We believed that the success of the program lies in the
participants' acceptance of the activities and health education topics. We had
an average attendance of 30-40 participants in each session. By word of mouth,
we received invitations from various churches to promote caring for the
vulnerable population in the community. We were perceived as pioneer for Parish
Nursing in Hong Kong.
This project has been selected
as a Symposium of 'Responding to Vulnerable Populations: Asian Region's
Responses to the Presidential Call to Action" in the 42nd Biennial Convention
in November, 2013.
Pi Nu
Chapter – Responding to Vulnerable Populations
This, too,
partners with the Holocaust event. As individuals in the audience were moved to
tears by Ms. Kor's lesson of forgiveness, and how to let loose of the pain of
the past in order to embrace the love that exists in the present, this spoke to
every single one of us. There is not one person who could not benefit from that
message. In a sense, we are all a vulnerable population, as we each deal with
depression, grief, loss, and being hurt. A young woman in particular comes to
mind; one of the sound techs who was watching up in the sound booth while doing
her job broke down sobbing (I was told later), as she realized that the message
she had heard was exactly what she needed to hear right at that moment as she
was dealing with some very personal pain. If even one person was able to
forgive a past hurt, and move forward into a place of emotional peace, then we
have definitely met the "Respond to Vulnerable Populations" requirement.
Phi Rho –
Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsThe
project we undertook falls under responding to vulnerable populations. The
targeted population is in Romania. There are over 20 million people living in
Romania which is about the size of the state of Oregon. The country is made up
of thousands of small villages where there is literally nothing to eat during
the winter and the temperature drops to 30 degrees below zero.
Phi Rho
Chapter which is affiliated with Kaplan University School of Nursing made a
monetary donation to a local pastor in Hosman, Romania. The donation allowed the pastor and
volunteers to purchase loaves of bread that were then distributed to local
villagers. The villagers would stand in line to get the loaves of bread that
could quite possibly be the only food they would have for the week.
of project was November 15th, 2012. The project was not done in conjunction
with another chapter activity. A total of 250.00 was donated. The chapter
actually supported a single member in the accomplishment of the project. The
chapter donated the money so that Susan Kieffer was able to provide food: bread
and fresh fruit and vegetables to the aforementioned population. Phi Rho
Chapter is supported by the online Campus of Kaplan University. The information
was disseminated via the Phi Rho Chapter webpage and their Facebook website to
all members.
Rho Delta
Chapter – Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsRho Delta
Chapter Members and Nurse Leaders Supports United Nation's Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) On International Nurses Day and International Day of
Midwives 2013
Rho Delta
chapter leaders, the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Division of nursing
services and Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU SONAM)
celebrated International Nurses Day (IND) and International Day of Midwifes
(IDM) on May 03, 2013, to promote, Millennium development goals (MDGs) 4, 5
& 6 i.e. Reduce Child Mortality, Improve Maternal Health and Combat HIV/
AIDS, Malaria and other diseases. The main Theme of International Nurses' Day
for 2013 was "Closing The Gap: Millennium Development Goals" Dr. Iqtidar Khan,
Acting divisional Head for Division of Women and Child Health was the chief
guest of the event and Dr. Rahat Qureshi was the Key note speaker who
highlighted the importance and significance of the role of Nurses and Midwives
in achieving Millennium development goal. A session of awareness on Malaria was
also a part of this celebration to provide awareness regarding Millennium
development goal 6 i.e. "Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases". Beside these other educational and entertainment
activities were conducted to conclude the event.
On the
occasion of IND and IDM 2013, educational events were organized in order to
enhance competencies among nurses. The educational activities were planned
throughout the week of April 29th – May 3rd 2013. Activities included workshops
on understanding research, Cardiotocography and its interpretation, Patient
safety, and Basic life support.
150 nursing staff who benefited from these educational activities. At the end
of the week on May 3rd 2013 the main event of IND and IDM was celebrated at AKU
Auditorium which was attended by more than 500 Nurses and Midwives from
different hospitals of Karachi. The aim of this event was awareness of UN's
Millennium Develop Goals (MDGs) among Nurses, Midwives and nursing students as
they are key players of health care and they are one to respond to vulnerable
population with particular attention to reduce Child Mortality, Improve
Maternal etc. One of the example is one of our nurse leaders from Aga Khan
University who is head nurse of Neonatal ICU won global award for excellence in
neonatal nursing at 8th International Conference of Neonatal Nurses,
held at the Waterfront Hotel in Belfast, Ireland on September 07, 2013 the
awards was organised by Save the Children and the Council of International
Neonatal Nurses (COINN).
She is the
first Pakistani nurse to win the coveted award. She was honored for her
commitment to save mothers and newborns during childbirth in some of the hardest
places to work around the world. According to COINN President Karen, Anila was
selected over a number of outstanding candidates for their unwavering
leadership and passion for ensuring every newborn has a chance to survive. She
worked in newborn care units in busy referral hospitals, providing care to
underserved populations. We can take good care for granted in rich countries
but in such conditions, it has to be developed and defended by committed
Each year,
three million newborns die during their first month, with Pakistan having the
third highest number of deaths. These figures do not include an additional 2.6
million babies who are stillborn. Moreover, three out of every four newborn
deaths occur in South Asia and the Sub-Saharan Africa, where there is a
critical shortage of skilled health workers, including nurses and doctors. Most
newborn deaths are preventable with specialized care that only skilled nurses
or midwives can provide.
Bardai, an alumna of the AKU School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM), strives
to reduce newborn deaths and provides counselling to those parents who have
lost babies. She also supports mothers of sick babies, providing guidance on
breastfeeding and teaching them how to use Kangaroo Mother Care to keep their
babies warm and maintain a proper body temperature.
on her achievement, AKU-SONAM Dean Dr Keith Cash said, "This is fantastic
recognition for nurses who provide essential care in countries with a great
need. At SONAM, we are committed to educating nurses and midwives who can make
a difference and our new degree in Midwifery, the first in South Asia, will
further improve the excellent work done by neonatal nurses." Nurses like Anila
show how it is possible to change the statistics on newborn deaths with greater
investment in training and basic equipment, plus a belief that newborns are not
born to die.
Beta Chapter Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsIn the
Spring of 2013, Theta Beta collaborated with nursing students from its
affiliated school to respond to a vulnerable inner city population. Each year students in their last semester
choose a project to support as part of their contribution to the
community. This year they undertook a
service project collecting items for UMMC affiliated School Based Clinics.
Sigma Theta Tau members worked with students to collect for donation to the
school-based clinic at Johnson Elementary School in Jackson. This school is located
in a low income area and the majority of students have no access to healthcare
other than that provided by the school based clinic. Supplies included everything from
antibacterial soap, to over-the-counter ointments, to hygiene products, to
underwear and socks. Theta Beta Members contributed many items for this drive,
along with over $200 in monetary donations and gift cards to the students in
support of this project. Nursing Student Kristin Hinton said: "Thank you and
STT for everything y'all have done! That will make a huge impact on our
donations and we cannot thank you enough for choosing to support us! Again, I
cannot say enough how much having STT support means to us students!"
Upsilon Chapter - Responding to Vulnerable PopulationsUpsilon Chapter had the unique ability to partner with Region 14 toward creating programming with the United Nations, with a large focus on the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals. We helped with the organization of the event "Nurses Week at the United Nations" and hosted the first United Nations Interest group for Region 14. In collaboration with Region 14, we will be take part in the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health event "Daring, Sharing and Caring," which launched toward increasing Maternal Health Awareness. Upsilon will be host chapter for the Biennial Regional Event: "Millennium Development Goals: Focus for STTI Region 14 Chapters."
Upsilon has begun to premier its first ever "Upsilon Healthcare Lecture Series," educating members about topics such as LGBT health care issues and Mental and Physical health. We are underway and plan on having the first ever "Women's Health Day," a daylong event of lectures toward the education of Women's Health nationally and globally.
As noted in the call to action, vulnerable populations extends to nursing students as well as nurses. Upsilon has created a Mentorship program, partnering 1st year STTI members with a board member, with the board member serving as a guide to "All Things Upsilon" and guiding them toward making the most out of their membership. We have initiated a collaboration with the NYU College of Nursing UNSO / ANSO / DSO to create a mentorship event for nursing students early in their career.
Upsilon Zeta Continuous Community Outreach: Service Projects throughout the BienniumConsistent with Susan Prevost's 2011 – 2013 Presidential Call to Action, members of the Upsilon Zeta Chapter have carried out a number of community service projects during the 41st Biennium which align with the goal of responding to vulnerable populations. In conjunction with a continuing professional education event we sponsored on "Assessing for Abuse" and the role of a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner), during the winter and spring of 2012 chapter members donated new women's and children's t-shirts, sweat pants, socks, and undergarments, organized into labeled storage containers by type and size, given to the emergency departments of our two area acute care facilities so that persons presenting for treatment following abusive situations could have clean new clothing to be discharged with [it is not uncommon that clothing items need to be retained as evidence in these situations]. We collected clothing to fill four large containers and included our contact information in the event that the supplies begin to run short so that we can seek new donations to re-stock them.
In October 2012, members volunteered to assist with a large pharmaceutical recycling effort sponsored by the county solid waste authority. Many members took educational flyers to post in their work sites and/or share with patients, and 8 members (including 5 new undergraduate inductees) volunteered at a local sports stadium for 4 hours the morning of the collection. Since the appropriate disposal of pharmaceutical waste is so important for environmental health and safety, we feel as if this service to the community was significant in safeguarding vulnerable populations from unnecessary exposure to medical/toxic waste.
In lieu of providing refreshments for a reception following our November 2012 Induction Ceremony, inductees, members, and guests were instead invited to bring a non-perishable food item. These food donations along with a check for the amount we would have normally spent on refreshments were presented to the local food bank and the annual Alvernia "Turkey Drive", which in 2012 provided over 200 families with large baskets of Thanksgiving food items. In the summer of 2013, chapter members were invited to donate their "travel toiletries" --- hotel-sized toiletries picked up while on vacation or at professional conferences --- for use at a local agency with emergency and residential/educational services called "Berks Women in Crisis". Due to the combined efforts of our membership, two large cartons of hygiene items were donated. As nurses and members of the Honor Society of Nursing STTI, we end this 41st Biennium as we began --- in service to others. Our current service initiative, which will extend through December 2013, is a "baby bottle campaign" --- Loose Change for a Positive Change! Every member is invited to take a colorful labeled empty baby bottle and drop in loose change throughout the autumn months. This money will become a donation for sustaining the important work done by a local home for pregnant/parenting young women who have nowhere else to turn when they find out they are expecting a baby. "Mary's Home" is an exceptional resource for a highly vulnerable population of women and children, and members of our chapter feel that our support of its on-going work is an important expression of the values of Nursing and of Sigma Theta Tau International.
The chapter has also financially supported the following research studies:2011
Xi Alpha Chapter Responding
to Vulnerable Populations
Xi Alpha accepted Dr. Prevost's Call to Action and responded to
vulnerable populations on two separate occasions during this biennium. At Xi
Alpha's annual fall member meeting in October 2012, two newly inducted student
members of Xi Alpha (from May 2012), were featured speakers (along with a MTSU
faculty member who accompanied the group) in a presentation entitled "Mission
to Kenya: Lives Transformed and Lessons Learned". They shared their experiences
of providing healthcare and nursing care to men, women and children during a 10
day trip to Kenya. Xi Alpha was proud to provide a venue for these STTI members
to describe how this experience changed not only their perceptions of health
and illness, but them personally as future nurses as they witnessed the impact
that their nursing care and caring spirit
had on the people of Kenya.
Most recently, Xi Alpha made a financial donation to support the
participation of several Xi Alpha members, in collaboration with Middle
Tennessee State University's Student Nursing Association, on a medical mission
trip to Guatemala. Dr. Paul Williamson, Xi Alpha Leadership Succession Chair,
led eleven undergraduate students (including 3 newly inducted STTI members) on
an 8 day mission trip to one of the poorest and medically underserved regions
in the world. Partnering with Safe Homes for Children and Humanitize
Expeditions, the group's focus and desired outcome for the mission trip was to
improve the quality of life among the Mayan Indians of Guatemala, who are some
of the poorest people in the Western Hemisphere.
With the financial support provided by Xi Alpha, the medical mission
team transported over 1100 pounds of medical supplies to the main clinic and
compound located in a remote mountainous region outside Guatemala City. Members
of the mission team were able to meet the medical and healthcare needs of over 325 patients in a 5 day period, at the
main clinic and at three additional villages that were visited.
In alignment with Dr. Prevost's call, the medical mission team
provided education and care to mothers, babies, children, families, the young
and the elderly. The following comments from two students, affirms the
importance of answering the call for STTI members to respond to vulnerable
"My most valued memory of the trip was
being immersed in a beautiful culture. I will also cherish the memory I have of
using my nursing knowledge and skills, with the assistance of a NP, to use a
fetal heart doppler on pregnant Mayan women. This was an incredible experience
for me because I have recently been hired as a women's health nurse and this
was the first time I had the opportunity to find a fetal heart rate. The faces
of the mothers when they heard their baby's heart beat for the first time will
be memory I will not forget".
first I felt selfish excitement. I got to hold a baby! I couldn't wait, because
I love babies. I went to get her and she was so cute, and I was so happy to do
it. Then they told me, she was 7 months old and only 8 lbs. It took a moment for that to sink in, and it
was almost too much to bear. I fought back tears for that poor baby as I took
her in my arms. It brought me back to why were we here. These were sick
Omega Chapter Embraces TechnologyIncreasing
use of Technology by Alpha Omega Chapter Members has been a serious push this
Biennium (2011-2013). Slowly members are joining the VIP, The Circle and the
Chapter Officers have been attending the STTI webinars to increase their IT
abilities. Additionally, members who have presented at the last Biennium and
Regional conferences have had their abstracts posted in the Virginia Henderson
Library. Numerous members are using the professional social media Linked In as
well as Twitter.
The Online
New Membership Orientation on the STTI website is a vital component of our
orientation program & well received.
Eta Eta Chapter - Embracing TechnologyEta Eta Chapter has demonstrated its willingness to embrace technology for many years by having its own website on the York College of PA server but we have really stepped up our efforts to comply with President Prevost's pillar during the 2011-13 Biennium.
In addition to our current website, we took advantage of the newly developed professional networking site, the Circle, by attending webinars on how to manage it, assigning a webmaster, and customizing our site. Eta Eta was the first chapter to be recognized as Chapter of the Month in January 2012. We continue to post news, announcements, and upcoming events on the Circle so that our members stay in touch with our chapter happenings.
Eta Eta has also made access easier for potential members to get news about our chapter and STTI, both internally and externally to York College of PA. We added an Eta Eta tab on the internal Stabler Department of Nursing portal in order for nursing students to click on it and get information on what our chapter and STTI is all about. The page it links to has many embedded hyperlinks in the document which will take potential nursing student members to our Eta Eta website at the college, STTI's main website, and our Circle website. We also made it easier for potential members external to the college to get information about us when they visit the York College of PA webpage for the Stabler Department of Nursing. They just have to click on "organizations" which will take them to a blurb about Eta Eta Chapter with embedded links to our webpage.
We also adopted a Go Green initiative in our 2012-2015 Strategic Plan which has led to much of our chapter business being conducted electronically including much of our communication to our members.
Delta Chapter – Embracing TechnologySTTI Recruitment Initiative at Cebu
Doctors University College of Nursing in Cebu City, Philippines
Lambda Delta Chapter started the recruitment initiative in the Philippines
early 2011 at Cebu Doctors University College of Nursing (CDUCN). Board Members
of Lambda Delta Chapter voted and approved the project as a mentoring outreach
program. Past President Lolita Jacob shared her experience during a chapter
board meeting on how to go about helping a school/college of nursing to be a
part of STTI – Honor Society of Nursing.
Since the
location is thousands of miles apart, various technology methods were used to
communicate from US to the Philippines. Such technology included the use of
e-mail, texting, Skype, Facebook, and various websites as references. The
interested faculty members also were introduced to open Monmouth University/
Lambda Delta Chapter's
account to see what's going on with our chapter. To help the faculty members understand what
STTI is all about, Marilyn introduced the STTI website to the group and
consequently for them to have a better understanding of the organization. This
past August 2, 2013, she was able to present STTI to the CDUCN faculty members
and answered their questions in person.
they are in the process of forming a local honor society at their institution
of higher education. Lambda Delta
Chapter Board supported the activity by guiding them how to communicate with
STTI Headquarters and helping them channel their questions to the right
technology has made this initiative possible. The communication is ongoing and
mentoring them is easy because of technical advances. As STTI International
Prevost said, "as nurse leaders, technology is a vital tool for us to embrace,
and effectively engage to improve the health of the world's people".
Delta Chapter – Embracing TechnologyThe
Omicron Delta Chapter is a diverse chapter originating from a university that
is spread throughout the world. As a result of this geographical dispersion,
technology is a vital means by which we keep our chapter members engaged with
the nursing community. Our more than 4,000 chapter members embrace technology
to communicate, network, and generate and collaborate on ideas. We incorporate
electronic newsletters, social media, and emails to keep our members up-to-date
with current activities, events, and information that is relevant to them and
their practice. Online and face-to-face conferences allow members to engage
each other, share ideas, and discuss topics relevant to all nurses wishing to
promote the health of the world's people. Finally, we use recorded and live webinars
to discuss relevant issues and to train new members and leaders so as to
provide an optimal experience for all those who call Omicron Delta their
Delta also reaches members through social media. The chapter uses both Facebook
and The Circle to expand its network and engage members. Both tools serve as a
means to interact with members in a manner that is convenient for their
lifestyle and preferences.
is a vital means by which we disseminate information about local, national, and
international activities and members. It allows us to reach out to our members
with updates and news. We use this tool to post our electronic newsletter, make
announcements, and welcome new members who "like" our page. We currently have
643 "likes." It is also a useful way to promote volunteer activities at the
local, national, and international levels. This community engagement helps us
to interact with fellow nurses and the population whose health we seek to
improve. Our Facebook page, and other technology-related innovations, is
managed by our technology committee. This committee is guided by our Leadership
intern, which is a two-year position filled by a new member and operated
similarly to the President and President-Elect positions (i.e., the previous
intern coaches the newest intern).
Delta also utilizes its page on The Circle. Many of our members use the groups
in The Circle. We promote these groups in our newsletter and on our Facebook
page a few times a year. Such interaction also expands our members'
professional networks and exposes them to various ideas and information that
are relevant to their practice.
Due in
part to our geographical dispersion, Omicron Delta has found it vital to
utilize digital meetings to collaborate with our members. The Board members
meet monthly via teleconference to discuss board information and plan upcoming
events. The Board uses a private Board page on our website to post materials
for review and discussion prior to any meeting. After minutes have been
approved, they are posted on the general chapter website for review. Many of
our committees meet in private Facebook groups or use Word Press in addition to
teleconferencing, so discussions can be archived.
Delta holds a yearly General Membership Meeting in Word Press. More recently,
we have begun integrating Sigma Theta Tau International Continuing Credit
courses into these meetings as a means of engaging members and providing a
common starting point for discussions. Our last meeting integrated a Medical
Mission Trips Continuing Education course that members completed prior to a
three-day discussion on Word Press. Discussions were very rich and incorporated
the experiences of many of our members who have served (and continue to serve)
on medical missions and/or have worked as a nurse in other countries for
extended periods. This meeting encouraged members to interact with Sigma Theta
Tau International and review the available Continuing Education courses. On the
last day of our General Membership Meetings, our officers post their reports,
and we announce our scholarships and the Call for Nominations.
technology advances, the chapter works to utilize the technological resources
that are available. Omicron Delta incorporates a plethora of digital tools as a
means to interact with and provide information to members. The following is a
list of the digital advances we employ and how they are used:
Omicron Delta web site is used to disseminate information and includes contact
information for local area councilors and all board members.
digital newsletters are sent to all members via email and posted on our
Facebook page. Newsletters are used to identify upcoming activities, member
achievements, and chapter achievements.
courses are integrated into our General Membership Meetings, and are used to
start and sustain good dialogue between members on relevant topics (which are
identified by the members).
Leadership intern (who serves a two-year term learning about the chapter)
manages our Facebook page and completes one project related to technology that
will benefit the chapter. Our current intern is working on reviewing The Circle
and what the chapter can do with The Circle to further engage our members.
Monkey is used to send out a membership survey once a year so we can connect
with our members, find out what they like and don't like, what we can change,
and what they are doing professionally. We use this data to complete our
chapter key categories.
scholarship process is entirely electronic. Members complete required forms,
attach supporting documents, and send them in for review all online. This aids
in saving time and money.
election process is also electronic. Using the VIP profile list, we send an
email message to each member, announcing the Call for Nominations. Nomination
forms are downloaded and submitted through our web site. Elections are held
through Survey Monkey.
For our
conferences, we use Survey Monkey to send out evaluations.
We have a
water.org donation site that we use to track our service activity donations
We use
Google Checkout and PayPal for our conference attendance/registrations.
We use
YouTube for our President's message, which is posted on our site and at
We use Dropbox
for induction pictures, so that members from all campuses can view all of the
induction ceremonies.
We use
eFax for our expense reports from our Board members and speakers to submit
their expenses for reimbursement.
We also
use a teleconference line for our Board members and committees to meet and
discuss activities, issues, and ideas. The same line is also used to provide
training for new campus 2nd VPs to run induction ceremonies.
Phi Gamma
Virtual Chapter Embracing TechnologyThe
President's Call to Action encourages chapters to embrace technology in
promoting the mission and vision of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor
Society. Advancing the mission and
vision of STTI - to make a difference worldwide through the creation of a
global community of nurses - Phi Gamma Virtual Chapter focuses on electronic
recruitment and engagement of nurse leader members who have limited or no
access to an STTI chapter affiliated with an academic institution using
Phi Gamma
serves professional nurses through virtual membership by mitigating personal
and professional vulnerabilities and assisting members to utilize technology to
access and use resources offered through STTI membership. Member engagement occurred through the
implementation of a culturally sensitive strategic plan that built and
sustained chapter infrastructure by leveraging human and technological
resources provided by the international headquarters. In addition to the strategic development of
chapter operations, Phi Gamma chapter furthers the Presidents Call to Action by
improving technological processes of chapter operations and communications to
enhance the collaborative efforts of nurse leaders around the world. Chapter operations are guided and managed by
virtual communication among current and past Board members who reside in the
United States, Virgin Islands, Phillipines, Australia, and Oman.
Phi Gamma
currently boasts 187 active members from 16 countries and 4 continents. The President and Board have consistently
embraced and utilized technology and the application of technological platforms
is reflected in the chapter's strategic plan.
The Nurse Leader Counselor has streamlined communications with headquarters
to efficiently process new member applications using online processes. To promote engagement of these new and
existing members, the Leadership Succession Committee strategically
communicated with all members using online platforms, including STTI Connect
and the Circle. These technological
platforms have assisted Phi Gamma leaders in identifying and recruiting chapter
officer candidates and committee members from diverse countries. The committee successfully achieved its
primary goal to present to membership an online ballot that represented the
international membership of the chapter and reflected our mission to build a
global community of nurses.
outreach has been accomplished through the efficient and effective use of
technology such as the completion of an online survey of the international
membership to identify the needs of members and to empower members to actively
participate in chapter events and meetings.
Data gleaned from the completed survey provided chapter leaders with valuable
information to direct chapter efforts and guide leadership decisions that
empower members and enhance member engagement.
with international nurse leaders to promote scholarship and application of
evidence-based practices in other countries is evidenced through the virtual
programming offered by Phi Gamma on the STTI Circle. The Program Committee has recruited nurse
leader presenters from Australia, Sweden, and the United States. Using the GoToWebinar platform, chapter
leaders recorded and uploaded
presentations onto the Circle and promoted synchronous and asynchronous
post-program discussion. The chapter
also added a Webmaster to the Chapter Board to highlights the emphasis on
quality and current technological communications.
The Phi
Gamma Board has embraced multiple methods of technology to promote networking,
mentoring, and global collaboration. Phi
Gamma recognizes that as a virtual chapter, innovation in operations and
communications is essential for chapter growth and success. To enhance member knowledge in social
networking, the chair of the STTI Global Technology and Innovation Taskforce
presented a virtual program about the application of social networking in
professional collaboration.
Phi Gamma Virtual Chapter communications
and operations consistently reflect innovation and international collaboration
in sustaining the viability of the chapter. Phi Gamma exemplifies the strategic
use of limited funds to reach out to our global community of nurses to achieve
consensus in chapter building, achieve chapter goals, engage international
nursing interaction, and support technological infrastructure. Phi Gamma is VIRTUAL and embraces technology
to build its nursing community throughout all aspects of chapter operations, including
virtual member application, virtual nominations, virtual induction, virtual
communications, virtual meetings, and virtual programming. The chapter is virtually engaging!
Pi Nu
Chapter – Embracing TechnologyAfter our
first year of re-grouping and regaining status as an active chapter, Pi Nu has
developed both long term and short term goals as we look towards a future focus
that not only creates energy among the members who are currently active, but
those who currently "just can't find the time". One of our first tasks was to
create a flier to use at any outreach event (attached). We use this flier to
introduce STTI and Pi Nu specifically to our local community as a way to
improve "name recognition". Additionally, we have created a Facebook account
and have joined Linked In as ways to reach members, and have created the
chapter's first online member newsletter entitled "Pi News". It is in these
ways that we have accomplished the requirement to "Embrace Technology".
Rho Delta
Chapter – Embracing TechnologyDissemination of Nursing Knowledge and
Health Care Information through Virtual
Presentations and Video Survey
are the two examples of technological advancement where Rho Delta Chapter
actively participated:
Rho Delta
chapter leaders, the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Division of nursing
services and Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU SONAM)
celebrated International Nurses Day (IND) and International Day of Midwives
(IDM) 2012. International Nurses' Day theme for 2012 was "Closing the
Gap: From Evidence to Action" and the theme of the International Day of the
Midwives for 2012 was "The world needs Midwives today more than ever" where two keynote speakers' virtual
presentations were also part of the event. One was Dr. Andrea Baumann who is
Associate Vice President, Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences; Director,
WHO Collaborating Centre in Primary Care Nursing & Health Human Resources
Scientific Director, McMaster Site, NHSRU. The second Keynote speaker was Dr.
Nancy Edwards, Professor, School of Nursing, University of Ottawa Scientific
Director, Institute of Population and Public Health. Technological advancement
helped our professional nurses to hear the experienced leaders from around the
world where they can utilize this knowledge to improve the health of people
whom they serve.
Rho Delta Chapter leaders actively participated with hospital's leader
and quality office during Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation.
In 2006, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi (AKUH, K) became the first
hospital in Pakistan to be awarded JCI accreditation. In
August 2012, JCI re-accreditation provided a window of opportunity and
innovation when the disturbed law and order situation in Pakistan didn't
allow security clearance to JCI Surveyors to visit Pakistan for planned second
triennial survey of AKUH, K. In order to meet this challenge, the leadership of
AKUH, K and JCIA jointly agreed to test out some innovative solutions for
assessing compliance to JCIA standards. After a thorough discussion between the
two organizations, the concept of a "Video Survey" was agreed upon as an
effective alternate option to be tested. AKUH, K accepted the challenge and
considered this as a window of opportunity to demonstrate the zeal of the
organization towards quality improvement by the effective use of Information
technology. JCI Video Survey commenced from January 28 to February 1, 2013.
This was a 5 day survey from 0700- 1300 Hours Pakistan Standard Time (PST)
(2100-0300 Hours Chicago Time). The video JCIA survey team comprised of
Physician Surveyor and Team Leader, Nurse Surveyor and Administrator Surveyor.
Each day from 0700-0800 hours (PST), the survey team started their day
proceedings through a video meeting with the survey coordinator, escorts and IT
support staff. Rho Delta
chapter leader who worked as IT nurse was actively involved in designing
portable trolleys to be the eyes and ears of the 03 JCI surveyors based in
Chicago. To escort these trolleys to the desired locations, internal teams
comprising of 03 nurses, 03 physicians and 03 administrator staff were
constituted for escorting trolleys during JCI Video Survey. Before the actual
survey, the same teams performed a mock video survey with a full survey agenda
to test the system and train the staff. Surveyors sitting in Chicago used these
trolleys with the help of escorts in Karachi to visit any location and ask
questions from any faculty and staff member through the eye of a camera.
Documents to be reviewed during the tracers were either reviewed directly by
live focusing through the mobile camera on the trolley or scanned immediately
and shared via iShare to the respective surveyors.
Another form of communication that has been used to remain in contact with members of our organization includes email. Our chapter had two members who are in Afghanistan in 2012 and communication is maintained through the use of Skype, emails, and twitter. We are able to contact these members through the use of these technological advances while living in two different parts of the world in two different time zones. Having access to a computer simplifies communication interactions because we are able to visually see and communicate with other through technology and it allows all members to remain current and up-to-date with data regarding the population served in another country, as well as information regarding our chapter.
Having Internet access and using the Web to have a place where members and non-members can come and learn about the Rho Lambda Chapter promotes informational guidance such as, membership criteria, obtaining the minutes from each meeting and receiving an overview of what this chapter has to offer. Through the use of our website, The Circle, having constant updated access to information provides an open door for others to gain knowledge regarding our chapter. Most recently, we began the use of 'COLLABORATE" to host our meetings which is a tool for virtual meetings which enables several to join the meetings and participate at the same time. We have also been fortunate to engage other members in research by distributing research/practice articles to them electronically. We also established a blackboard shell for our chapter to use during meeting times. We are able to upload minutes, announcements and photos for our members.
In conclusion, Rho Lambda Chapter has demonstrated effective and precise communication through various forms of technology and media usage to enhance communication among our chapter members. Our advances in technology use will continue to expand as we are currently research newer forms of communication adaptation. New ideas have been created and are currently being tested such as face time through the use of an iPhone as well as Google chat.
Upsilon Chapter - Embracing TechnologyUpsilon Chapter has utilized Facebook and Upsilon's Chapter Circle website to provide real-time updates and information to members about upcoming events as well as application forms for membership, scholarships and awards. New York University's website provides information about the chapter to potential members. The college website is managed in collaboration with the Associate Director of communications at the College and the Communications Chair of the Chapter.
Chapter Operations is greatly enhanced by the use of new technology. We utilized GoogleDocs to create forms to obtain feedback from members about events as well as registration for events. Dropbox allows for easy sharing of documents and forms between Board members. Doodle is a simple way to coordinate meetings between the board.
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