September 8, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
It's hard to believe that Labor Day has passed! I hope your summer was renewing and enjoyable, and that you and your loved ones have been safe, despite the pandemic and the extreme weather conditions that have impacted so many! It's even harder to believe that by the time this E-News reaches your mailbox, our National Conference will be only 3 weeks away!
Hopefully, you have already noted that in the past three weeks, we have had to pivot and change our conference to a virtual one. The conference planning committee members deserve our deep appreciation for their energy and commitment to moving the live conference to live, interactive virtual, along with continuing the on-demand offerings. As you will read in this E-News, you are able to claim over 40 continuing education hours for this conference if you choose. That is an incredible value for $325 (member rate) in comparison to what many other virtual conferences are providing.
The conference planning committee members have done their job. Last year's conference was great, and this year's promises to be equally excellent, with even smoother technology now that we've all become a bit more tech savvy.
So now, for the reality check! The planning committee members have committed hours to this program, but now it's time for all of us to see how we can best support the conference, and support ASPMN®. I hope you know from reading my past President's columns that I am not one to mention money, but the past 18 months have been unprecedented, and ASPMN® , like so many individuals, and other organizations has felt the impact of the pandemic. This is the second year we have had to cancel our in-person conference, the main source of our operating funds. In addition to not receiving the usual registration fees, we have been hurt by the decreased number of people taking pre-conferences, as well as the lack of vendor support for the conference. Most vendors, who pay a nice price for space at the in-person conference, are not interested in sponsoring a virtual event as they don't receive the same amount or quality of interaction with attendees.
We could have asked for a higher registration fee for our virtual conference, but out of concern for our members who have also been impacted by the pandemic, we chose not to do so. Instead, I am asking, if you are in a position to do so, that you please sign up for the virtual conference, consider taking a pre-conference, and also contribute to the operating fund. On the electronic program registration form there is an option to contribute to the ASPMN® operating fund. Please share the program information with your colleagues and invite their participation.
I'm keeping this column short and sweet because I don't want you to miss the message. Think about the many ways ASPMN® has supported your practice or position over the years, and think about how essential ASPMN® will be in future years as pain management becomes increasingly complex and new nurses enter the field. I know many have contributed to ASPMN® in varied ways throughout the past 31 years by serving as volunteers on committees, chapters, on the Board of Directors, and in other ways, and your contributions have been invaluable. It's now time to provide the financial support to the Association that has been such a vital resource to so many.
With kind regards,
Maureen
