June 2014 In this Edition Message from the President Congratulations Awards The Circle Strategic Plan 2014-2015 Events Board of Directors President Marita Hoffart Vice President Linda Pettersen Treasurer Heather Sys Secretary Ashley DeMakis Board Members Sandy Boschee Janis Neumann Faculty Counselor Nikki Medalen Governance Committee Judy Beck Thomas Seabolt Connie Geyer Leadership Succession Committee Melissa Fettig Jennifer Woiwode Alona Jarmin A Message from the President: Thank you to all who in any way influence, support and encourage the work of the chapter. The Induction was a wonderful experience. Seventeen new members were inducted at the May 1, 2014 event. Several have already agreed to serve the chapter in a variety of ways. Thank you. The awards recognized three nurses. The Orchid Award went to Janis Neumann who came back to our community with energy and enthusiasm. She chaired the Nurse Day reception for 2 years, and assisted with the raffle fund raiser. Nurse best practice awardees were Kiley Andreas and Alyce Killmer. Judy Swanson was the guest speaker at induction. She gave us 3 key ideas about leadership: Vision, Life-long learning and commitment. STTI sent out a letter naming three members who made contributions to the chapter as part of their membership renewal. Also listed were those who made donations of over $60 to the STTI Foundation. Thank you notes have been sent to those members. During the Nurse Day reception, we honored Pat Thom, a proud member of the STTI Nursing Honor Society, who passed away in 2013. She provided many years of service to nursing, and to the community. May we always remember her contributions. Changes are in the air. Deb Townsend is leaving Minot to relocate in Southern Florida. Rita Meyer is retiring. Kelly Schmidt is moving to Fargo. We wish these members Good Luck in their new adventures!! I have heard of nurses achieving their Master s Degrees. We need to celebrate their successes. Let us know so we can celebrate with you! The nursing Faculty at Minot State University nominated me for the Lifetime Achievement Award, which they bestowed on me at the employee retirement event last week. Marita B Hoffart, PhD, RN, BSN Professor Emerita Nursing Department of Nursing Minot State University marita.hoffart@minotstateu.edu Omicron Tau Chapter President
Page 2 of 7 CONGRATULATIONS OMICRON TAU MEMBERS!! The Omicron Tau Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International- Nursing Honor Society held its annual Induction ceremony on Tuesday, May 1 st, 2014. Judy Swanson was the guest speaker talking about Leadership in the Discovery Room. The following individuals were inducted: Community Nurse Leaders: Alona Jarmin Michelle Lauckner Heidi Okeson Naomi Sterf Graduate Nurses: Danielle Anderson Amanda Combs Ashley Fedorendko Jenna Gerelus Erin Guerin Jordana Kane McKenzee Kemper Joey Kummer Elizabeth Malnaa Leah Matthewson Melissa Meigs Kelsey Jo Rademacher- Hildenbrand Jessica Rovenko Sigma Theta Tau, an International Society of scholars, focuses on world health through educated nurses. To be nominated for membership into STTI, the students need to have completed ½ of their education program and be in the upper third of their class. Community nurse leaders need to have made excellent contributions to the field of nursing. Congratulations to the following officers and committee members voted to serve the 2014-2016 term: (Left to right) Board Member: Janis Neumann Board Member: Sandy Boschee Secretary: Ashley DeMakis President: Marita Hoffart Whether you think you can, or you think you can t, -you re right. Henry Ford
Page 3 of 7 AWARDS Along with the induction ceremony was the awards ceremony. Best Practice awards were given to two members of Omicron Tau. Best Practice Awards are given annually to nurses who excel in their nursing roles, no matter where they practice nursing. This year the Best Practice Award for nurses in clinical practice for more than 10 years was given to Alyce Killmer. Alyce Killmer is a retired nurse who worked as a nurse at Trinity Hospital for 44 years. Her areas of work included staff nurse, assistant manager, staff development, Assistant Director of nursing, Associate Director of nursing, and Director of Quality Management. She retired in Nov. 2011 Kiley Andreas was awarded the Best Practice Award for nurses in clinical practice less than 10 years. She is a recent graduate from Minot State University and is a nurse in the Mental Health Unit at Trinity Health. Criteria for Best Practice award include: Licensed to practice nursing Employed in any area of nursing practice for more or less than 10 years depending upon which award you were chosen for Demonstrate active involvement in chapter activities (must be a member of Omicron Tau Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau) Demonstrate exemplary work for the health of individuals, families or groups A Sigma Theta Tau member nominates one of their peers for this award, which includes an essay addressing the criteria and why this member should be recognized. This nomination form is then submitted to the Chapter Awards Committee. Congratulations to these two members who received this award! If you would like to nominate a member for this award, please contact Marita Hoffart marita.hoffart@minotstateu.edu. Janis Neumann received the Orchid Award for her enthusiastic support of the chapter. The Orchid award recognizes a member who has promoted the development of the chapter s functions and activities. Janis has demonstrated leadership to her chapter and community. Janis accepting the Chapter Key Award for Omicron Tau at the Biennial Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Alyce receiving her award from her daughter, Ashley, and Board member, Sandy.
Page 6 of 6 Page 4 of 7 Omicron Tau Chapter Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Mailing Address: Omicron Tau Minot State University Department of Nursing 500 University Ave. W Minot, ND 58707 PHONE: (701) 858-3101 E-MAIL: Contact Us on the website WEBSITE: http://www.minotstateu.edu/omicrontau/ The Circle Go to http://thecircle.nursingsociety.org Log in with your e-mail address and your 7 digit member number, then select LOGIN Update your information on MY PROFILE Especially if you have a change of address or name change! This is the address we use for mailing information to you Go to MY PREFERENCES and select the information you would like to share with others (bio, position, certifications, etc.) Make contact with other members by searching DIRECTORY and FIND A MEMBER Check your INBOX for messages from other members See your chapter s website to find chapter news, events, and more Go to HOME and share a story, start a discussion, and much more! Our Vision The vision of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International is 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. Our Mission The mission of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, is to support the learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health worldwide. Sigma Theta Tau has over 450,000 nurses in 90 countries working to improve health worldwide. Omicron Tau Chapter, chartered in 1998, is located within the Department of Nursing at Minot State University.
Page 6 of 6 Page 5 of 7 Omicron Tau Chapter s Strategic Plan for 2015-2016 Hold a minimum of two scholarly activities each year included in the annual meeting and collaborative conference Invite community nurse leaders and nursing students for induction into membership Involve new members in chapter processes Provide mentor opportunities for new members Support one active member as an officer to attend the Leadership Connection Recognize outstanding performance and service through awards and public relations Promote member attendance at meetings and activities Publish a minimum of two newsletters a year, and send to all active members and post the newsletter to the Omicron Tau Chapter web site. Maintain chapter web-site to provide information and communication among members Participate in at least one community and one global outreach project annually Maintain partnership with members of the Kilimanjaro Hospice Initiative, Cortez Colorado, to support Machame Lutheran Hospital Palliative Care Program in Tanzania, Africa When you learn, Teach. When you get, Give. Mary Angelou Keep us up to date on you! To change and check your contact information (mailing address, e-mail address, etc.) go to www.nursingsociety.org, click on the membership link, click on my membership, and then contact information so you can receive valuable information from both STTI and Omicron Tau!
Page 6 of 6 Page 6 of 7 Upcoming 2014-2015 Omicron Tau Chapter Events Board of Directors Meetings: ALL members are invited to attend. All meetings are held at Minot State University s (MSU) Department of Nursing, located in Memorial Hall. This is an excellent way to meet other members, learn about the chapter s events and become more involved! Board Meetings at MSU Dept. of Nursing Tues. Sept. 9, 2014, 5-6pm THURS. Nov. 13, 2014, 5-6pm Tues Feb. 10, 2015, 5-6pm Annual Meeting at MSU Dept. of Nursing Tues. March 24, 2015, 5pm 8pm Collaborative Education Conference Friday April 17 th, 2015 GRAND Hotel, Minot, ND New Member Induction Ceremony at MSU Thurs. April 23 rd, 2015 Nurse Day Celebration at the Taube Museum of Art Thurs. May 7 th, 2015, 5-7pm Transition Meeting at MSU Dept. of Nursing Tues. May 19 th, 2015, 5-7pm Check out the MSU Omicron Tau Chapter website at: http://www.minotstateu.edu/omicrontau/index.shtml. It s in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped. -Anthony Robins
Omicron Omicron Tau News Tau News Page Page 6 of 6 7 of 7 Meet the STTI President, Hester Klopper Call to Action: Serve Locally, Transform Regionally, Lead Globally GREEK ALPHABET Chapter Sustainability Pyramid