VCNP has six state committees that organize different aspects of the association. The purpose of these committees is to provide association organization, increase membership, support NP practice, communicate with members and non-members, recognize NP accomplishments, and provide continuing education opportunities. Committee chairs are appointed by the VCNP Board President and join the VCNP Board of Directors in the overall function of the association.
Bylaws & Operations, Carole Everhart, APRN, DNP, FNP-BC
The Bylaws, Policies & Procedures committee maintains consistent functioning of VCNP by maintaining the policy and procedure manual, developing new policies and updating the historical/archival data. The committee also reviews policies quarterly, presents proposed bylaw amendments and recommends, with a plan of action, all resolutions to the Board of Directors as needed. The committee chair is responsible for maintaining parliamentary procedure and serving as a resource on “Robert’s Rules of Order.”
Education & Conferences, Helen Willis, ACNP & CE Lead Nurse Planner, Kristen Johnson, MSN, RN, AG-ACNP-BC
The Education Committee is comprised of two subcommittees – one to plan the annual conference and a second to serve as the CE Sub-Committee.
Conference Planning & Education
The Conference Planning Committee begins planning the annual spring conference in June the year prior to the conference. Subcommittee members meet by teleconference twice a month until the program is set then monthly to complete planning. Members are expected to be present on 75% of calls, to provide suggestions for topics and speakers, to review poster abstracts and to function in various capacities at the conference including as room moderators and monitors.
CE Lead Nurse Planner
The Education Committee was formed in January 2011 to be approved providers of continuing education offerings. Prior to 2010, all continuing education offerings by the state and regions were submitted to VNA for approval. In 2010, VNA offered VCNP option to train lead nurse planners to work with the regions on programs. The subcommittee should include one representative from each region to assist with individual regional educational activities.
Government Relations, Valerie Wrobel , AGPCNP
The Government Relations Committee works to support the VCNP mission by strengthening the role of the nurse practitioner in the delivery of quality health care in the Commonwealth through legislative and regulatory advocacy. The committee develops VCNP’s legislative agenda, monitors legislative and regulatory policy and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding legislative action by VCNP. The committee also identifies an appropriate speaker to present at VCNP’s annual conference on a topic of legislative relevance.
Membership, Judy Jenks , DNP, FNP-BC
The Membership Committee works with the regional chairs to recruit new members, retain current members and contact lapsed members, develop and promote member benefits and new initiatives such as the School of Nursing Ambassador program, and review and update the membership brochure and application as needed. Committee members also assist with special projects like the membership survey and promotions and represent VCNP at the Membership table at the annual conference.
Nominations & Awards, Lauren Godwin , MSN, FNP-BC, NP-C –
The Nominations & Awards Committee includes regional representatives and members at large who are interested in serving the VCNP. The committee must include at least three members at all times. Committee members are responsible for providing input on the selection of annual awards recipients (Founder’s Award, Distinguished NP, and Educational Award), selecting the VCNP scholarship recipient and assisting in gaining nominations for elected board positions. The committee annually prepares and presents the slate of VCNP state officers, which must be verified by the committee and its chair. Election ballots are overseen by the committee chair.
Public Relations, Emily Horvath, DNP, FNP-BC
The goal of the PR committee is to promote and increase visibility of nurse practitioners in Virginia. The committee has been working with a PR team since 2010 to develop, implement and evaluate strategies for increasing public awareness and understanding of the role of NPs. The PR Committee promotes the goals and activities of VCNP to a variety of audiences through media relations, VCNP’s web site, VCNP’s Facebook page, NP Week activities, partnering with VCNP’s Membership and Government Relations committees, and implementing other internal and external communications activities to share information with members, prospective members, legislators, other health care professionals and the general public.