20 February 2018
Dear LSNO Members:
As my term of President is close to the end, I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve LSNO and its members, as well as the tremendous support I have received. It has truly been an honor to serve and represent LSNO.
A funny thing happened when I arrived at the 2014 LSNO conference…I was planning on running for a different office, but when I arrived, I was asked to run for President-Elect. Surprise!!!
My term as President-Elect was extremely short (4 months) as the President at that time accepted a nursing position outside of school health. Per our LSNO bylaws, the President-Elect succeeds the President for the unexpired term, and then serves the term of President as elected. So instead of 2 years as President-Elect and then 2 years as President, I have served 3 years and 8 months as President. It was a sharp learning curve!
A President is only as good as those who provide support. One person cannot take credit for the successes experienced. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me. I have had enormous support from my school district, Beauregard Parish School Board; my Supervisors, and my fellow BPSB School Nurses. In addition to my school district’s support, I have had fantastic support from LSNO members and the LSNO Board members, especially Niona Whiddon, Tricia Strother, Verna Thompson, Darla Rebowe, Jessica Hanemann, Melissa Bird, Ascension Parish nurses, Rene Lewis, Ginger Pearson, and the Calcasieu Parish nurses.
I pray I have acted with grace, honesty, and integrity. I am pleased that I have met all the goals that I set for myself which include: LSNO Nursing Scholarships, LSNO Seminar Scholarships, increasing the awareness of LSNO and its mission at the State and National level, as well as the implementation of the LSNO Discussion List, Facebook and Twitter, and the One Mile Fun Run/Walk! The 2016 & 2017 LSNO Professional Growth Seminars were rich in content and that has been a significant factor to increasing the attendance at the LSNO conferences from 156 in 2015 to 199 in 2017; and increasing membership from 260 in 2015, to 312 as of today, 20 February 2018 – an increase of 52 members!
I hope to see you soon at the 2018 LSNO Professional Growth Seminar! I look forward to continuing to serve you and LSNO.
Best regards,
Andrea Ferguson, RN, CSN
LSNO President