In May 2010, the 2008-10 American Nurses Association (ANA) board of directors approved the formation of a Dues Evaluation Task Force to examine the future of the ANA dues rebate and to take an inclusive look at ANA membership dues.
The task force comprises ANA board and constituent member association (CMA) representatives, and will have two primary objectives: The first objective is to review the efficacy of the rebate program to date, evaluate future options, and make recommendations to ANA board of directors that addresses the financial impact to ANA and CMAs. The second objective is to examine current membership and related dues options for ANA and CMAs, determine any need to revise or modify the current structure to improve membership growth, and, as needed, recommend changes and modifications.
The task force has 14 members that include one representative from each of the four CMA regions; the ANA president; the ANA treasurer; three members of the ANA board of directors (appointed to the task force by the board of directors); the ANA CEO; and four representatives appointed by the board of directors to ensure adequate representation of all CMAs. From the representatives already appointed, the 2010-12 ANA board of directors appointed Cindy R. Balkstra, MS, RN, CNS-BC, to chair the task force.
The task force will meet on a regular basis to complete the necessary work by the October 2011 ANA board of directors’ meeting, so that if any changes to the bylaws are recommended, there would be adequate time to prepare and submit to the 2012 ANA House of Delegates. The task force’s first meeting took place on September 13, 2010. ANA will provide regular updates on the task force’s progress to the board of directors and at ANA constituent assembly meetings, which are attended by the CMA presidents and executive directors and the chair of ANA’s individual membership division.
