Ep 86: Pro Arguments for Keeping AANA Region Director Structure in Place

As the debate over whether the AANA should make the region director positions an at-large vote or maintain the current structure, we wanted to help present both sides of the debate. On this episode, we’re joined by Sallie Poepsel. MSN, PhD, CRNA, Julie Linton, MSN, CRNA, and Nick Blank, CRNA, MSN, APN, to hear why region directors should represent the area in which they live. The issue will be voted on Saturday, August 15, 2020. 

Click the timestamps below to help you navigate through the many topics we discussed.

On This Episode:

The issue has been at the forefront of the AANA for some time now and discussions continue about how to proceed with the region director positions on the board. Should the geographic criteria be eliminated and open up a deeper talent pool? Or should the seven region directors continue to represent the area where they live?

A bylaw amendment was put forward last year to change those positions and allow people residing anywhere in the country to become region directors from outside their geographic location. This change hasn’t taken effect but it’s been a topic of conversation among members across the country and will be voted on in just a few weeks on August 15, 2020.

So we wanted to help CRNAs understand both sides of the argument. This is part one of a two-episode discussion on the bylaws and which path is the best for the AANA to proceed down. To help us do that, we brought on Sallie Poepsel. MSN, PhD, CRNA, Julie Linton, MSN, CRNA, and Nick Blank, CRNA, MSN, APN, each of which are very active leaders in our profession.

They helped with a couple of bylaw amendments as well (5 and 6). Amendment 5 aims to maintain the current structure where region directors represents the area where they live. Bylaw amendment 6 takes it a step further by preventing anyone from outside the region from voting on the director.

The goal for the show is to ask them the questions we have and find out their arguments for keeping the region directors structure along with the concerns they have for the changes that have been proposed.

A look at some of the additional topics we cover on the show:

  • Having multiple people from the same region on the board.
  • More people getting involved at the membership level.
  • Explanation of how at-large voting would work.
  • The unintended harm it could cause.
  • The main point of concern everyone has.

Check it out at the top of the page and use the timestamps to help you navigate through the many topics we discussed.

2:06 – Background on what we’re talking about.

2:55 – Our guests today.

4:07 – Julie Linton provides background on the issue.

8:44 – Wouldn’t at-large directors provide better qualified candidates?

11:57 – How a change could disenfranchise smaller states.

14:14 – Explaining how at-large voting would work.

18:19 – Nick shares an example from Region 1

21:13 – The perceived problem of regional leadership development.

26:17 – If there are a lot of great leaders out there, why aren’t they running already?

29:59 – If you abolish the current system, how assignments determined?

33:32 – Recommendation for requirements and qualifications to run.

36:49 – The one point of concern for everyone working on this issue.

38:48 – Nick adds to Julie’s point about one region or state having the majority of directors.

41:53 – Why are we going back to undo something that was voted on?

44:41 – Should the AANA function more as a business than it currently does?

47:19 – Making diversity a priority.


“Leadership development is always an ongoing process. It shouldn’t be something that ever ends. There are times when you will do it better and there are times when you won’t be so good at it. But to throw the baby out with the bath water here and not address leadership development in a more comprehensive way but let’s just burn the whole system down and start over is likely to cause much more harm than good.”

-Nick Blank, CRNA, MSN, APN

SHARE THIS EPISODE

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

SUBSCRIBE

EXPLORE MORE

Current Events

Ep 250: Strengthening Advocacy Efforts with the AANA’s New Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer Ingrida Lusis

We had a chance to spend some time with the new AANA Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer Ingrida Lusis during our time at the mid-year assembly to learn more about her background in government affairs and how she plans to strengthen advocacy by bringing state and federal affairs all under one umbrella. Join Sharon and guest host Tracy Castleman, CRNA, as we go on the offensive with our newest advocacy leader.

LISTEN NOW »
Clinical

Ep 249: Anesthesia Considerations for Cannabis

In this episode, Jeremy and Sass discuss the anatomy related to the CTM. They talk about palpation methods for finding the CTM, discuss current evidence for the use of ultrasound identification, and break down the ultrasound techniques that are useful in clinical practice. This is the podcast that will excite you to use POCUS for identification of the CTM!

LISTEN NOW »
Current Events

Ep 248: Hear from the Candidates for 2023-24 AANA Board of Directors

Voting started this week for the next round of AANA Board of Directors elections, and we want to help you get to know your candidates a little better. Thanks to our friends at the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, we will share the opening statements from the Board of Director Candidates’ Forum during the Mid-Year Assembly so you can hear first-hand from each of the talented CRNAs running for office.

LISTEN NOW »

SUBSCRIBE

NEW EPISODES EVERY WEEK!

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyStitcherTuneIniHeartRadio

HAVE A QUESTION OR WANT TO BE GUEST?

RECENT REVIEWS

J. Cross CRNA
Read More
This podcast is very well put together. I love the hosts Sharon & Jeremy, they do a fantastic job at presenting topics as well as getting great speakers on the show! This is my morning commute podcast everyday! Thank you for all that you do!
Bill.Nye
Read More
I enjoy listening every morning. Great content and always a pleasure to learn something new.
biggestbaseballfanever
Read More
I started listening to this podcast religiously early on in my CRNA journey, a year before applying to CRNA school. The content in this podcast was one of my most helpful resources for getting into my first choice school, Wake Forest! It has also been a huge motivator for getting involved with the AANA now and throughout my career. I highly recommend this podcast to every prospective CRNA I meet.
Trvlgrl1
Read More
I appreciate hearing the latest and greatest in the world of Nurse Anesthesiology while also getting Class B credits. Just listen on your commute for a win/win experience. I love the perspectives from Jeremy and Sharon who both ask varied and insightful questions!
doubledownmoney
Read More
If you’re a CRNA or any medical professional, I highly recommend giving this podcast a listen. Hosts have a great rapport.
Previous
Next

READ MORE REVIEWS OR LEAVE YOUR OWN!