resolutions of agms past - rnao · 2015. 6. 17. · f or 90 years, rnao mem- bers have presented...

F or90years,RNAOmem-bershavepresentedresolutionstotheannual

generalmeeting(AGM)thatreflecttheconcernsoftheday,andcontributetoshapingRNAOactivities.incelebra-tionofouranniversary,welookbackatsomeoftheissuesthatnursespondered,andtheassociation’sactiononthoseissues.Althoughdecades-old(andsometimesdusty)AGMmeetingminutesinthelibraryathomeofficecanbeshortonspecifics,theystillprovideasnapshotofthemotivationsbehindRNAO’swork,andhowthosehavehelpedtodefinethevaluesofnursespast,presentandfuture.Here’sjustasampling…

APRIL 1929RNAO’s 4th Annual General Meeting KINGSTON MEMORIAL hALL, CITY BUILDINGS, KINGSTONAfterdiscoveringsomesmallOntariohospitalsfounditnec-essarytoplacepsychiatricpatientsinlocaljailswhilewaitingfortransferstopsychi-atrichospitals,memberspassedaresolutionthatRNAObringthemattertotheattentionoftheOntarioHospitalAssociation.

OCTOBER 1946RNAO’s 21st Annual General Meeting ROYAL YORK hOTEL, TORONTOReportingtotheboardofdirectorsonitsprogress,thecommitteetaskedwithreviewingtheroleandstatusofthepublichealthnurseinschoolsofnursingaskedthattheybegrantedpermissionto

continuetheirworkandthatRNAOrequestthecanadianPublicHealthAssociationincludepublichealthnursesinitsstudyofsalaryscalesandpersonnelpractices.

APRIL 1961RNAO’s 36th Annual General MeetingROYAL YORK hOTEL, TORONTOGivenconcernthatnursescon-frontedwithsocio-economicchallengescannotgivetheirfullattentiontoservice,andthatthesupportforthemfromRNAOseemsinadequate,aresolutioniscarriedtoempowertheboardofdirectorstosetupaspecialcommitteetoconcernitselfwiththesocio-economicwelfareofnursesinOntario.

APRIL 1965RNAO’s 40th Annual General MeetingROYAL YORK hOTEL, TORONTONotingtheOntarioHumanRightscodeensuresequal

rightsforallpersonsregard-lessofrace,colour,creedorsex,aresolutionispassedthatRNAOdiscontinuethepracticeofmaintainingaseparatemembershiplistformen.itwasfurtherresolvedthatRNAOrequestthecana-dianNursesAssociationJournalrefrainfrompub-lishingcanadianArmedForcesadsthatdiscriminateagainstmeninnursing.

MAY 1979RNAO’s 54th Annual General MeetingROYAL YORK hOTEL, TORONTORecognizingthatqualityoflifeisinfluencedbymedia,aresolu-tionispassedthatRNAOconveyitsconcerntotheMinistryof

communityandsocialservicesaboutthecontentofitsadver-tisementtopromotepreventionofdevelopmentaldisabilities,whichinferstotalresponsibilityonpregnantmothers.

APRIL 1987RNAO’s 62nd Annual General MeetingROYAL YORK hOTEL, TORONTOAcknowledgingoneoutof11womenwilldevelopbreastcancer,memberspassares-olutionthatRNAOurgetheministryofhealthtotakestepstoincreaseawarenessofthebenefitsofmammographyscreeningandurgethemin-istrytofundmammographyscreeningequipmentandservicesacrossOntario.RN

Interested in more RNAO resolutions from the turn of the century until today? Resolutions are published each year in the AGM coverage on the pages of our May/June issue of Registered Nurse Journal. See page 23 for this year’s collection. And access back issues online at www.RNAO.ca/resources/RNJ

Voting delegates in this historical RNAO AGM photo from 1969 raise their cards to register their votes on behalf of their chapter or region.

Resolutions of AGMs past COMPILED BY KIMBERLEY KEARSEY AND PENNY LAMANNA

registered nurse Journal 17

Members celebrate another stellar year

ThesoundofswingmusicfilledtheHiltontorontoinApril,andthespiritoftheroaring1920swasaliveandwellasRNAOmembershonoured90yearsoftheassociation’shistoryatthe2015AnnualGeneralMeeting(AGM).

Morethan1,000RNs,NPs,nursingstudentsandguestsjoinedPresidentvanessaBurkoski,ceOdorisGrinspun,andtheboardofdirectorsto

markRNAO’sachievementsofthepastyear.theresultsofRNAO’sOne member, one votewererevealed,andRNAO’snewpresident-electiscaroltimmings,whotooktothepodiumandpromisedfellowmembers“toworkreallyhardforyou….andwithyou.Myphilosophyofleadershipisnotsomethingthat’sinvestedinafewpeople.Leadershipistheprocessofworkingtogether…and,wow,thisisaroomofgreatleaders.”

HealthMinisterericHoskinsaddressedmemberswiththesamesentiment,andcamearmedwithanannouncementthattheOntariogovernment“…isinvestinganadditionalhalf-milliondollarstofur-thersupportthebestpracticesprogram.”evidence-basedcare,hesaid,“…isthecornerstoneofthe(government’s)newactionplan.”

Membersalsoheardfromthen-interimPcLeaderJimWilsonandNdPHealthcriticFranceGélinas.

thisyear’sAGMcelebratedthehistoricaccomplishmentsof17newBestPracticespotlightOrganizations(BPsO)andtwoBPsOhostcentresinAustraliaandspain(seethespecialpull-outsectioninthecentreofthisissueoftheJournal),andhonouredexceptionalRNs,NPsandnursingstudentswithRecognition Awards,aswellastophealth-carejournalistswithMedia Awards.

thebusinessandconsultationsessionsoftheAGMsawsomeofthehottesthealthtopicsofthedaydebated(seepage23forarecapoftheresolutionsvotedonbyconsultationrepresentatives).AndinherceOreport,dorisGrinspunannouncedthelaunchofthreenewini-tiativesatRNAO:aprovincialtaskforcetoexamineRNreplacement(page16);anewpartnershipbetweenAssociateMedicalservices(AMs)andRNAOtoadvanceperson-centredcare(page7);andthejoiningofchina’sfirsttwoBPsOs.

checkouttheAGMphotogalleryonFacebook.Andtoreflecttheaccomplishmentsofanotheryear,checkoutthe2014AnnualReportatwww.RNAO.ca/AnnualReport.

interim PC leader Jim Wilson (left) and ndP health Critic France Gélinas offered keynote addresses as special guests at the agM opening ceremonies on april 16.

KEyNOTE SPEECHES

GOVERNMENT SuPPORT OF BPGs health Minister Eric hoskins used his time at the podium during the agM opening ceremonies to announce an additional half million dollars to further support rnao’s best practice guidelines (BPg) program.

Agm2 01 5

18 May/June 2015

IN its efforts to get a public dialogue going on end-of-

life care, rnao hosted a panel discussion during its agM in april. the event attracted almost 600 rnao members, other health professionals, and members of the public. there was an honest but respectful exchange on the highly-divisive topic among audience members and panelists. the discussion was moderated by Toronto Star columnist Carol goar, who praised rnao for its bold leadership on the issue. the panel was the third organized dialogue since members passed a resolution last year to engage in public conversa-tions on the issue. further discussions are planned for later in the year. rnao says the supreme Court’s decision to strike down the country’s ban on assisted suicide opens the door for a principled framework on the issue, and ensures the rights of Canadians are respected.

THE END-OF-LIFE DISCuSSION

Rhonda Seidman-Carlson (left) became rnao’s president-elect in 2011, and assumed the presidency at the 2012 agM. in 2014, she handed over the reins (and gavel) to Vanessa Burkoski (right). after serving as immediate past-president for the last year, seidman-Carlson was honoured at the agM for her term in office, and thanked for the extensive work she’s done on behalf of nurses across the province.

AN EMOTIONAL FAREWELL

To watch video highlights from the AGM, including the

panel discussion, visit www.RNAO.ca/

agm-2015-highlights

among the panelists (l to r): Rahool Agarwal, a lawyer with norton rose fulbright Canada llP; rnao President Vanessa Burkoski; Lesley hirst, president of the Palliative Care nurses interest group; Michelle O’Rourke, representing the Parish nurses interest group; Maureen Taylor, CCPa, and widow of toronto microbiologist donald low; and Professor Peter van Boegart from antwerp university in Belgium.

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in addition to the awards ceremony during rnao’s agM, winners were cel-ebrated during the President’s Banquet following the meeting. among the evening recipients: (l to r) Claudia Wong, winner of the HUB Fellowship for her passionate belief that healthy public policy can improve peoples’ lives; Paul-André Gauthier, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for his efforts to draw attention to nursing and health issues in the northern part of the province; Philiz Goh and Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy, recipients of individual President’s Awards for Leadership in Nursing Practice: goh for her dedication to cancer patients, and o’keefe-McCarthy for living her personal motto: “bloom where you are and make a difference,”; and Angela Cooper Brathwaite, Award of Merit recipient for never shying away from the responsibility of being a role model.

RNs receive recognition from peers

PRESIDENT’S BANQuET

LISEBETH GATKOWSKI,winner of the Leadership Award in Nursing Education (Staff Development), acknowledges that furthering her nursing education wasn’t always a top priority. that changed two decades ago, when, on a whim, she took a mental health course at McMaster university. “if you’re not willing to take a risk, you’ll never know to what heights you can soar,” she says.

CINDy FAJARDO was recognized with the Leadership Award for BPG Implementation for co-ordinating implementation of guidelines through eight organizations across seven local health integration networks. the clinical practice manager for the ontario telemedicine network’s new telehomecare program says she recognized the need for evidence-based practice right from the get-go.

SuE COFFEy strives to create educational programs to break down barriers, create pathways for non-traditional learners, and make the nursing profession more accessible. winner of this year’s Lead-ership Award in Nursing Research, Coffey is known for throwing away the rulebook, and says this award acknowledges that educational research is an integral part of nursing.

MELANIE KELLy’sLeadership Award in Nursing Admin-istration is an acknowledgement of this clinical manager’s down-to-earth approach to leadership, and her appreciation for the challenges of frontline nursing. Managing the same unit where she started as a frontline rn, kelly says: “My staff knows i’m not going to ask them to do anything i wouldn’t do myself.”

MARy MuELLER, a public health nurse, has dedicated the last dozen years to the treatment and prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (fasd). her tireless advocacy has led to a Leadership Award in Political Action. the co-chair for ontario’s fasd one prevention working group, Mueller says she hopes her work will save a lot of suffering.

LESLIE GRAHAMdescribed as an “emerging star” in the field of technology enhanced education, leslie graham received this year’s Leadership Award in Nursing Education (Academic). the co-author of three books on simulation says nursing and health care are always evolving, so nursing education must do the same.

20 May/June 2015

RNs receive recognition from peers

To read full biographies for all of this year’s award winners, visit www.RNAO.ca/ 2015recognitionawards

(above) Julie Rubel (right), president of the gerontological nursing association of ontario (gnao), expresses thanks on behalf of her group’s members for the honour of Interest Group of the Year. gnao has completely redesigned its website to make it more user-friendly, and revamped its newsletter to better inform mem-bers. its goal, rubel says, is to foster person-to-person dialogue among nurses who are passionate about gerontological nursing, and highlight those working in the field.

INTEREST GROuP OF THE yEAR

Members of rnao’s halton chapter, including President Karimah Alidina (seated, right), gather on stage for formal recognition of their Chapter of the Year award on april 17. the chapter may be small, but it’s mighty, alidina says. Presenting the award are (seated, from left) rnao Ceo Doris Grinspun and President Vanessa Burkoski.

CHAPTER OF THE yEAR

(l to r) Susan Chan and Dania Versailles proudly display their awards during a student luncheon on april 17. Chan was awarded Student of Distinction for her ongoing commitment to inspire other students to recognize the crucial role of leadership development in shaping their careers, starting early in nursing school. Versailles received the Leadership Award in Student Mentorship for helping students to get “hooked on the profession,” and particularly on mental health nursing.

STuDENT LEADERS


(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) Performers from Zero gravity provided the entertainment at this year’s agM opening ceremonies, garnering a standing ovation following some impressive poses. undergrad-uate western university nursing associates sara Calvert (left) and akuah frempong enjoy the cocktail party following the formal presentations. and (l to r) consultation representatives sheila hogan, karen hickman and roger Perez catch up over wine and cheese to close out the evening on april 16.

BACK ROW (L TO R): aric rankin, region 3 representative, angela Cooper Brathwaite, Member-at-large, nursing research, Patricia sevean, region 12 representative, denise wood, region 9 representative, deborah kane, region 1 representative, Claudette holloway, region 7 representative

SECOND ROW (L TO R): elizabeth edwards, Member-at-large, nursing education, wendy Pearson, region 10 represen-tative, rebecca harbridge, region 5 representative, Janet hunt, region 2 representative, Jennifer flood, region 11 representative, Cheryl yost, Member-at-large, nursing Practice

FRONT ROW (L TO R): hilda swirsky, region 6 representative, Carol timmings, President-elect, Vanessa Burkoski, President, doris grinspun, Chief executive officer, Marianne Cochrane, interest groups representativeVACANT: Member-at-large, nursing administration

ABSENT: 1 Veronique Boscart, region 4 representative

2 Beatriz (Betsy) Jackson, region 8 representative

3 nathan kelly, Member-at-large, socio-Political affairs

RNAO BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015–2016

OPENING CEREMONIES

1

2

3

22 May/June 2015

Resolution #1 Dental care Submitted by: Carolanne Pychel

Therefore be it resolved that

rnao advocate to the ontario

government to expand the

breadth of funding to the trillium

fund to include a once yearly

oral assessment for seniors over

65 years-of-age; and

Be it further resolved that rnao

collaborate with others to advocate

for this annual oral assessment

to include oral health education,

overall teeth, gum, and tissue

assessment; x-ray; and tooth

extraction as necessary.

CARRIED

Resolution #2 Financial support for older Canadians Submitted by: Beatriz Jackson, Sepelene Deonarine and Philicia Joseph, on behalf of the Durham-Northumberland chapter

Therefore be it resolved that rnao

collaborate with organizations

such as the ontario society (Coalition)

of senior Citizens organization

to advocate for reduction of the

minimum percentage taxation

on rrif at age 71 by educating

their MPPs and MPs about the

impact of this tax on seniors’

disposable income; and

Therefore be it further resolved

that rnao approach Cna and

others to jointly lobby the federal

government to reduce the

rrif minimum percentage from

7.38 per cent to 5 per cent

annually until age 84 years.

DEFEATED

Resolution #3 A nursing strategy to address human traffickingSubmitted by: Mia Biondi, with the assistance and support of the Middlesex-Elgin chapter

Therefore be it resolved that the

rnao advocate to increase the

capacity for nurses to address

human trafficking with upstream

approaches incorporating preven-

tion strategies targeting at-risk

populations, identification through

routine screening, holistic after-

care, and creation of template

organizational rapid response

plans; and promoting discussion

of these topics in undergraduate

and graduate curricula, as well as

in professional development; and

Therefore be it further resolved that

the rnao advocate for increased

resources to support trafficked

individuals of all ages and gender

identities, including, but not limited

to, emergency safe housing,

trauma-informed counselling, and

primary case management.

CARRIED

Resolution #4 Funding sources for novice nurse researchersSubmitted by: Sue Bookey-Bassett, on behalf of the Nursing Research Interest Group (NRIG)

Therefore be it resolved that rnao

collaborate with Cna and others

to lobby provincial and federal

funding agencies (such as ministry

of health, rnfoo, Cnf) to create

a new research funding program

for novice nursing researchers

thereby promoting research schol-

arship and the values of nursing,

which seek to alleviate suffering

and improve health outcomes for

communities, patients, clients

and their families.

CARRIED

Resolution #5 Climate changeSubmitted by: hilda Swirsky and Cathy Lacroix, on behalf of the Ontario Nurses for the Environ-ment Interest Group (ONEIG)


rnao promote and lobby for

legislated policies that reduce

carbon emissions; and

Therefore be it further resolved

that rnao and oneig, in

partnership, develop strategies

to raise awareness and support

for carbon emission reductions.

CARRIED

Resolution #6 School-based public health nursingSubmitted by: Cindy Baker-Barill and Yvette Laforêt-Fliesser, on behalf of the Community health Nurses’ Initiatives Group (ChNIG)


rnao lobby the Ministry of

health and long-term Care

(MohltC), the Ministry of

education (edu), the Ministry

of Children and youth services

(MCys), and others, to pilot

the placement of school-based

public health nurses working

to their full scope of practice

and to collect ontario data on

health and academic outcomes

associated with this level of

service delivery in pilot schools.

CARRIED

Resolution #7 Nurses’ liability protectionSubmitted by: Tyler Mancuso, Allison Pettenuzzo, and Debbie Shubat


rnao review the $10,000 cap

limit for the legal assistance

Program (laP), advocate for a

review of the CnPs discretion-

ary coverage limits, and explore

development of a single point

of access for members in

order to ensure that members

have the required support

mechanisms in the evolving

health-care environment.

CARRIED

Resolution #8 Comprehensive sickle cell disease strategy Submitted by: Jacqueline Dover (ad hoc member, RNAO Peel chapter)


rnao call for the provincial

and federal governments,

in collaboration with others,

to develop a comprehensive

strategy for sickle cell disease.

CARRIED

CHARTING ACOuRSE FOR THE FuTuREindividualRNAOmembers,chapters,regionswithoutchapters,interestgroups,andtheboardofdirectorscansubmitresolutionsforconsiderationattheAGM.theseresolutionsgiveRNAOamandatetospeakonbehalfofallmembers.theytouchonpressingnursing,healthandsocialissuesthataffectnotonlymembers’practice,butthepublicaswell.

RNAOmembersrepresentmanyfacetsofnursingwithinthehealthsystem,andplayanimportantroleinensuringthevoicesofnursesarenotonlyheard,butalsoreflectedingovernmenthealthpolicy.Hereisarecapofthe2015resolutions.


resolutions of agms past - rnao · 2015. 6. 17. · f or 90 years, rnao mem- bers have presented...

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