GACAANNGACAANNThe Birth of a ChapterThe Birth of a Chapter

Strategies for a New ChapterStrategies for a New Chapter

Darlene C. Williams, RNDarlene C. Williams, RNRonda Grigsby, RNRonda Grigsby, RN

ConceptionConceptionThe Idea of a ChapterThe Idea of a Chapter

Why do you want to have a chapter?Why do you want to have a chapter?Education, Socializing, Clinical Education, Socializing, Clinical Ladder,Ladder,Networking, ProfessionalismNetworking, Professionalism

PlanningPlanning• Research the possibilityResearch the possibility• People who will work on this projectPeople who will work on this project• Other chapters in the areaOther chapters in the area• Feasible at your facilityFeasible at your facility• NANN websiteNANN website

Development of ChapterDevelopment of Chapter• OfficersOfficers• BylawsBylaws• MembershipMembership• Goal settingGoal setting• PublicityPublicity• CommitteesCommittees• ProjectsProjects

OfficersOfficers

• Officers should be Officers should be in line with Nationalin line with National– PresidentPresident– President-ElectPresident-Elect– SecretarySecretary– TreasurerTreasurer

• Vision for the futureVision for the future• Once chartered, Once chartered,

have an election for have an election for officersofficers

BylawsBylaws• Keep in line with NANN bylawsKeep in line with NANN bylaws• Keep it simple Keep it simple • Revision of Bylaws Revision of Bylaws

MembershipMembership• NICUNICU• NICUs in the AreaNICUs in the Area• Nursing SchoolsNursing Schools• NANN members in the areaNANN members in the area• Perinatal CentersPerinatal Centers• Pediatric UnitsPediatric Units• Labor and Delivery UnitsLabor and Delivery Units

Goal SettingGoal Setting• Short term goalShort term goal

Membership driveMembership driveCommitteesCommittees

• Long term goalLong term goalIncrease in membershipIncrease in membership1-2 day Educational workshop1-2 day Educational workshop

PublicityPublicity• Utilize the NANN listUtilize the NANN list• Local NICUs / SchoolLocal NICUs / School• Perinatal OutreachPerinatal Outreach• NewspapersNewspapers• Hospital NewslettersHospital Newsletters• TV stationsTV stations• NANN CentralNANN Central

Committees Committees • What kind is the most important for What kind is the most important for

the advancement of the chapter?the advancement of the chapter?– Continuing EducationContinuing Education– MembershipMembership– Community OutreachCommunity Outreach

– SIGS, Research, Public Relations, SIGS, Research, Public Relations, Legislative etc…Legislative etc…

GACAANNCommittees

Education Membership Community Outreach

Continuing EducationContinuing Education

• ResourcesResources– MembersMembers– March of DimesMarch of Dimes– Nursing SchoolsNursing Schools– NANN recommended SpeakersNANN recommended Speakers– Pharmaceutical or Formula RepresentativesPharmaceutical or Formula Representatives– National speakersNational speakers– PhysiciansPhysicians– Nurses in other fields…Lactation, Transport Nurses in other fields…Lactation, Transport

Coordinators, CNS,NNP, PediatricsCoordinators, CNS,NNP, Pediatrics

Educational ProgramsEducational Programs• Send out a questionnaireSend out a questionnaire• What programs are out there?What programs are out there?• New products and proceduresNew products and procedures• March of Dimes ModulesMarch of Dimes Modules• Lactation ConsultantsLactation Consultants

MembershipMembership• Continue membership driveContinue membership drive• Offer discount if they join on Offer discount if they join on

the day of the meetingthe day of the meeting• Welcome LetterWelcome Letter• Membership cardMembership card• Membership certificateMembership certificate• Chapter BylawsChapter Bylaws

Community OutreachCommunity Outreach• March of DimesMarch of Dimes• Ronald McDonald HouseRonald McDonald House• Local Pregnancy CentersLocal Pregnancy Centers• Other worthwhile organizationsOther worthwhile organizations

in the areain the area

CommunicationCommunication• Chapter President must communicate with Chapter President must communicate with

members.members.– Chapter NewsletterChapter Newsletter– Chapter EmailsChapter Emails– Chapter updatesChapter updates

Chapter ItemsChapter Items• Chapter T-ShirtsChapter T-Shirts• Chapter Canvas BagsChapter Canvas Bags• Chapter PinsChapter Pins• Other Chapter ItemsOther Chapter Items

– Teddy BearsTeddy Bears– Lapel PinsLapel Pins– Lanyards Lanyards

Social NetworkingSocial Networking• Christmas Luncheon or PartyChristmas Luncheon or Party• March of Dimes WalkMarch of Dimes Walk• Community Outreach ParticipationCommunity Outreach Participation

Plan

Execute

Evaluation

KEEP IT FUN!KEEP IT FUN!Making the chapter activities fun Making the chapter activities fun

and educational is one way toand educational is one way to keep your members interested. keep your members interested.

The Birth of a ChapterThe Birth of a ChapterYou need to look professional You need to look professional

and act professionaland act professional

Learn from your mistakes. Learn from your mistakes. Correct your mistakes.Correct your mistakes.

Walk through the valley to getWalk through the valley to get to the top of the Mountain to the top of the Mountain

Have a Nice Day!Have a Nice Day!

Darlene C. WilliamsDarlene C. WilliamsPresident, GACAANNPresident, GACAANN

Ronda GrigsbyRonda GrigsbyCommittee Chairman, GACAANNCommittee Chairman, GACAANN