ANA membership

WashYaHands · Dec 22, 2001

Just your average ANA member here. I choose to be a member of the ANA because right now the ANA is the National political voice for nurses in our government (like it or not). I believe that if someone is going to represent me on National and State levels then I should have some input into that representation. My membership affords me that voice. The ANA House of Delegates is the voting body of the ANA, and it is made up of delegates from state constituent members who are elected by general members. As a member of the ANA and my State Nurses Assn. I am routinely surveyed by these organizations. Through these surveys I can relay to the nurses who I've elected issues that I believe are important to promote the nursing profession and address my concerns as a nurse. I may not always agree with an ANA endorsement or position, but my membership does not require me to do so. I always have the option to write my congressman/legislator on any issue that is important to me. The ANA and my State Nurses Assn. keeps me abreast of political activity so that I can make informed individual decisions about professional issues.

Membership costs me $200/year. That may seem like a lot, but monthly it comes out to roughly $17. When I receive my renewal notice, I evaluate the past years organizational political performance (National and State) and make a decision to renew or not based on that information.

I do not see any disadvantages because if the leadership faulters I have a voice as a member to elect new leadership.

Linda

purplemania, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2001

A minority of licensed nurses are members of ANA yet they claim to represent ALL American nurses. I believe they represent themselves only. They are for abortion, I am against. They are against nurses being represented by Unions (striking when necessary) and I think this is a right for all laborers. They do not represent me.

fergus51 · Dec 22, 2001

Purple, someone on the union thread posted that the ANA is in favor of unions and that they are affiliated with a union. The whole post started as Wildtime interpreted the ANA as being against strikes, others did not.

wildtime88 · Dec 22, 2001

WashYaHands,

To an average ANA member, here is some specific information that I am seeking.

How does the average individual member vote on specific issues? How do you vote on the specifics of proposals as far as what legislation to follow and at what time?

Does the ANA membership vote by mail or online or do you have to venture to the nearest ANA in your state for a formal casting? In other words, how convenient is the voting process for specific issues?

During the voting process what are the rules as far as involvemnent/participation with respect to the entire membership participation? In the event that a certain percentage of the population does not reply is the issue scraped or does it proceed by the majority that did vote. What is the time limit placed on issues as they come up for vote?

How much actual control does an average ANA member with a family, a full time job, and lives a distance from the state association actually have over the organization?

Now here is something off the wall that I need information on.

How would the average ANA member vote to stop or hold support for legislation in congress now? And even better, vote to have the legislation held for use at a later date? Can the average ANA member bring forth a resolution to act against something? Would that information go directly to the web site to be seen and acted on by the whole ANA membership? How long would it take to push such a resolution through? Does the average ANA member or group of members have the ability to vote against something priviously adopted?

With the delegate process, do you vote on the information the delegates bring back or do you give them card blanch to vote on what they decide on individually after negotiations and compromise is achieve with the other delegates in attendance? In other words, do the delegates vote without direct guidance on issues at assemblies after discussion, bargaining, and compromise without a vote of the general membership?

When was the last time you as an average ANA member casted an actual vote? When was the last time you voted on an individual issue? How convenient was the process? How far did you have to travel? What were the hours open for voting including time span? Who do you see on average running the association as far as area of involvement within the nursing profession is concerned? In other words, describe the average ANA leader that you see including those in your state association?

Just for comparison's sake, as far as average, what is your actual nursing function including shift and working status (full time, etc.)?

wildtime88 · Dec 22, 2001

fergus51, As for the ethic tread I was going by strict interpretation then an ANA member popped in and said that it was not what the writer's intended.

As for the way legislation is being push to replace existing RNs who have left and are intending to leave as well as cut the legs out from under nurses in general including a union nurse that is something all together. And yes the ANA oversees it own union. Maybe they just lean a little opposite of the union affiliation? ( \/// ) Get the picture?

WashYaHands · Dec 22, 2001

Why am I not surprised that you would challenge my post. LOL

That's ok, you're entitled to your opinions and questions.

How does the average individual member vote on specific issues? How do you vote on the specifics of proposals as far as what legislation to follow and at what time?

Delegate members of my state nurses assn. cast their votes in the ANA house of delegates for or against specific issues. State delegates seek my input either through direct mail or from thier web site. I elect state delegates via a ballot that is mailed to me annually. Some of these delegates also serve on committees on the national level and these committees help write the legislation.

The specifics of proposals are ironed out in the ANA house of delegates by state nursing assn constituents. The delegates from my state survey opinions of members and take the position based on the majority of member views. If I happen to be in the minority, then I exercise my right as a citizen to write my congressman and express my opposing view.

Does the ANA membership vote by mail or online or do you have to venture to the nearest ANA in your state for a formal casting? In other words, how convenient is the voting process for specific issues?

As stated above, I do not cast a vote directly to the ANA. My stance on an issue is expressed to my SNA either through surveys or web sites. Unless it is an election, then I am sent an official ballot. I will add, however, that I do receive surveys from the ANA by mail, but these are not official ballots.

During the voting process what are the rules as far as involvemnent/participation with respect to the entire membership participation? In the event that a certain percentage of the population does not reply is the issue scraped or does it proceed by the majority that did vote. What is the time limit placed on issues as they come up for vote?

As a member, if I would like to run for an office or run for a position as a delegate to the ANA house of delegates, I can do that. The number of delegates that an SNA is allowed in the ANA House of delegates is directly proportional to the number of members the state represents. Therefore, the more members a State has, the more delegate votes they have.

I'm not quite sure if issues are scrapped if a certain percentage of the population does not reply, I believe it proceeds by the majority that did vote, but I am not sure.

My experience is limited to my SNA House of delegates where issues are debated ad nauseum until someone either requests a vote for the issue to be tabled, revised, or a quarem called to vote.

How much actual control does an average ANA member with a family, a full time job, and lives a distance from the state association actually have over the organization?

As a mother of 3 going through a divorce, working 2 jobs (3 if you count working from home entering research data for a researcher), grad student, living 65 miles from the SNA office, PMSing without any chocolate I honestly do not have time to serve on the SNA Board of Directors or committees. I do, however, try to stay involved by returning surveys that are sent to me, casting my vote for those who represent me, and writing my legislators. My membership does not afford me exclusive control over the organization, as I said, I do not always agree with each and every position of the ANA or my SNA. Membership affords me a voice. I am always welcome to attend any meeting that is held by these organizations. I understand that only 8% of nurses are ANA members, but if more nurses were members and had a voice the political landscape of the profession might change in favor of what you would like to see.

How would the average ANA member vote to stop or hold support for legislation in congress now?

If legislation has reached the point of congress, then it has already been through the ANA process. If I disagree with the legislation, I write my U.S. congressional reps on behalf of myself (an individual nurse).

vote to have the legislation held for use at a later date?

see above answer. I'd convey to my U.S. rep that the legislation needs to be tabled and revised. Hopefully, I'd be able to offer a better solution.

Can the average ANA member bring forth a resolution to act against something?

Yes, I can certainly write a resolution and have it presented at my SNA annual conference/state house of delegates. The resolution would be presented, argued for and against and voted upon by delegates.

How long would it take to push such a resolution through?

Depends on how long it is debated in the house of delegates. Could sail through, could be debated for hours.

Does the average ANA member or group of members have the ability to vote against something priviously adopted?

That would require a new resolution to revisit the issue. State delegates vote on issues, ANA members express their positions through the SNA delegates.

In other words, do the delegates vote without direct guidance on issues at assemblies after discussion, bargaining, and compromise without a vote of the general membership?

SNA delegates seek opinions from members. Once an issue is brought to the floor of the House of Delegates the only arguments allowed are for or against. It cannot be altered or changed in the House of Delegates, but it can be voted down, taken back to the drawing board for revisions and presented again for another vote.

I elect delegates who represent me so I choose them based on similar interests and philosophy, much like you choose your congressional representatives who do not always vote the way you'd like them to.

When was the last time you as an average ANA member casted an actual vote? When was the last time you voted on an individual issue? How convenient was the process? How far did you have to travel? What were the hours open for voting including time span? Who do you see on average running the association as far as area of involvement within the nursing profession is concerned?

I directly voted for my SNA Board of Directors in September by mail in ballot. I was sent extensive background information regarding all candidates approximately one month prior to the deadline to vote.

Individual issues are not voted upon by me, they are presented in the form of opinion surveys, not official ballots.

I did not have to travel.

Staff nurses, nurse practitioners, nursing educators in all areas of nursing represent me on the state level.

Just for comparison's sake, as far as average, what is your actual nursing function including shift and working status (full time, etc.)?

I work per diem 2 weekends a month, 6a-6:30p as a staff nurse at a Rehabilitation hospital. I work part time 25 hours a week with on call 2-3 evenings a week and 2 weekends a month at a private boarding/day school for grades 9-12.

I think I need a nap now.

Linda

wildtime88 · Dec 22, 2001

WashYaHands, LOL. :)

Did I in anyway challenge your by asking for specific information as to how much control the average registered nurse has over the ANA?

But just to ask one more question or further clarification on a specific?

You take an alful lot of stoke on these "opinion polls" even to the point of representing them as a vote in some fashion? Does that movement of the ANA move directly with the mass majority of the members or does it sway a little here and there in your opinion?

One more thing, would not a nurse who belonged to the ANA who wrote their congress against a piece of legislation backed by the ANA actually be paying someone else to battle against them?

Happy Holidays to you and everyone else as well.

May Santa bring the present of your dreams. :D

WashYaHands · Dec 22, 2001

Actually, challenge probably was a poor choice of words on my part. I just knew that you'd respond LOL.

Regarding your question about how much control I personally have over the ANA, I guess I have as much control over the ANA as I do over my Nations government. I elect the nurses who represent me on the national level and provide them with input as best that I can.

I participate in most of the polls on this bb, yes. I do not always post a response, but I like to read what others have to say.

Does that movement of the ANA move directly with the mass majority of the members or does it sway a little here and there in your opinion?

I do not understand this question. Can you please rephrase it or elaborate on which ANA move you're referring to?

One more thing, would not a nurse who belonged to the ANA who wrote their congress against a piece of legislation backed by the ANA actually be paying someone else to battle against them?

Yes. But please understand that if I disagreed with the majority of the legislation that was backed by the ANA, then I would not renew my membership. There are some items that I do not agree with, but for the most part, the issues that they are addressing are the very issues that I listed on my survey as my concerns for the nursing profession. (ie. adequate staffing, mandatory overtime, public image of nursing, adequate pay. nursing shortage).

Happy Holidays,

Linda

wildtime88 · Dec 23, 2001

Thank you for the information.

I hope you do not mind if in a later post that, I recap the information you were kind enough to provide.

LOL as to the attachment. Be careful Santa might put you on his naughty list yet.

WashYaHands · Dec 23, 2001

I hope you do not mind if in a later post that, I recap the information you were kind enough to provide.

As long as you don't take it out of context or stab me in the back with it, I don't mind.

naughty, nice...I can think of another list I'm probably on with one person or another.

Linda

wildtime88 · Dec 23, 2001

The information will be used in a different context but not out of context. I will more than likely use it in a different format and language, but it will be factually the same.

I would never call using information that is truthful as stabbing someone in the back. The facts are the facts good or bad. Sometimes, it is all about how you look at them.

Now just to clarify one thing from your posts, you only had the opportunity to actually vote one time during your membership? Soes that mean you only voted on one item as far as elections or you simply chose not to vote on other items?

And to clarify the question you did not understand.

Does the movement of the ANA clearly and directly reflect the results of the opinion poles or does it just generally follow them?

One more question. How were you personally contacted with the issue of increasing dues and also salaries of the ANA leadership?