ABCGN Board of Directors Meeting

ABCGN Board Minutes – November 5, 2011

1) Meeting Called to Order

President Kathryn Miller called the meeting to order at 1:10 pm Central Time.

2) Robert Pedigo, VP of Client Services Castle Worldwide, gave the Board an update on Castle Worldwide and discussed some new initiatives that Castle is rolling out, including:  A video-based educational lecture series released on the web [1-2 day events] on leadership governance, marketing, test development topics, best practice etc., to help organizations maximize success.  Social media launch mid November – blog on media content + “white pages”.  Announced the launch of new item authoring software called Agile designed for item authors, test directors, and leaders. On-line mentors available for item writers, dashboard indicators and automated reminders for leaders/managers. o Demo will be set up for the Board for those interested  Biometric authentication tool with voice print recognition currently in pilot, go live ~6 months – available at a cost.  Changes to Castle’s website to improve navigation. ABGCN page within Castle’s site. Will include a 4 minute video on test anxiety and information on test studying techniques. Lengthy discussion took place over pros and cons for provisional scoring. Castle will not have their instructors give any verbal instruction concerning provisional scoring. Provisional scoring is an ABCGN decision. One option would be for electronic acknowledgment screens pre + post exam be added. Discussion tabled.

3) Roll Call

Secretary Deborah Copeland called the roll of voting and non-voting members.

Voting Participants: X Kathryn Miller, RN, CGRN, President X Jenny Parkhurst, RN, CGRN, President-Elect X Barbara Schwant, BSN, RN, CGRN, Immediate Past President X Jeanie Ebbert, RN, CGRN, Treasurer X Deborah Copeland, BSN, CGRN, RN-BC, Secretary X Sandra Brentnall, RN CGRN, Director X Shirley Flowers, RN BSN CGRN, Director X Janet Hannah, RN CGRN, Director ABSENT Nancy Todd, ARNP NP-C CGRN RN-BC, Director X Kendall Yoshisato, BS MS RN CGRN, Director X Anne Ragsdale, Public Member

Non-Voting Participants/Guests: X Leslie Stewart, BA RN CGRN, President, SGNA Board X Phyllis Malpas, MA RN CGRN, President-Elect, SGNA Board X Nancy Eisemon, RN, MPH, APN/CNS, CGRN, Item Development Manager X Dale West, Executive Director, SGNA X Erin Butler, Executive Director, ABCGN

4) Action Agenda

Agenda Item Presenter Resolution Action Agenda Kathryn Miller APPROVED the action agenda.

September 27 Call Minutes Deborah Copeland APPROVED the minutes of the Board call on September 27, 2011 without correction.

2012 Executive Slate Barbara Schwant APPROVED the Executive Slate for 2012 as presented. 2012 Election Slate Barbara Schwant APPROVED the amended slate of candidates. One candidate was removed because of missing one of the eligibility requirements— Item Writers Workshop attendance. By-laws change from 2009 requiring all slated candidates attend at least 1 item writers workshop. Role Delineation Volunteers Deborah Copeland/Nancy APPROVED the recommended volunteers for Job Analysis Eisemon Committee for the Role Delineation study in Raleigh, NC. 25 applications were reviewed. 10 volunteers contacted and agreed to serve. All had Item Writer’s experience. There was some discussion concerning the fact that those chosen had many years of GI experience. Nancy explained she was reserving those with less experience for the panel of judges needed for phase II of the role delineation. The panel of judges will take the exam without studying, discuss each item it with Jim Penny [is it knowledge level of a GI RN with 2 years experience], and set the passing point. GI Audit Policy Janet Hannah Returned to committee for further review to determine if a policy needs to be developed. This “action item” was the result of casual request of a committee member for a GI specific review. ANCC requires a formal submission process. Lengthy discussion regarding presentations that had previously reviewed. Once GI specific determination has been made it is good for 2 years. If however the lecture is given as part of a different program the presentation needs to be re-evaluated. Outstand Region Award Shirley Flowers APPROVED new performance criteria and guidelines for awarding Critieria Outstanding Region of the Year Award. In the past Outstanding region was awarded to the region with the greatest % of newly certified members. New performance criteria were recommended by the committee. This would require regions to apply [much like SGNA’s award]. Deadline to apply, February 15th. Awards committee will need to develop a score sheet for the award and ABCGN will need to encourage Regional leadership to apply for the award. 2012 Budget Jeanie Ebbert TABLED until Sunday’s discussion with David Schmahl.

5) SGNA Update—Leslie Steward, President, SGNA gave an update on SGNA activities, including the recent Leadership Conference and publication of the new Certification Manual. Gave highlights of SGNA’s strategic plan to educate on all levels.  Experienced based practice in research 1. Johanna Briggs Institute 2. Fellowship program 3. Benchmarking – compile data so members have access  Healthcare/public policy – 3 areas of focus 1) Infection Prevention program 2) Colon Cancer awareness advocacy ‘Blue Star’ 3) Sedation Administration

6) Strategic Planning—Erin Butler reviewed the 2008-2011 Strategic Plan Initiatives, plans for 2012 and ABCGN statistical data in preparation for the Strategic Planning session on Sunday.

Initiatives/Goals 1. Provide an excellent certification exam  Item Writing Panel did great job in August writing questions and re-referencing questions to the core.  Better relationship with Castle. Contract expires Dec 2012. Need to decide if we want new RFP or maybe amend the current contract to add 1 year to get us through the role delineation and accreditation.  Share passing rate – inform callers, announce at annual business meeting, or put it in the end of the year newsletter 2. Improve the effectiveness of the governing board  new tools for leadership i. Smith Bucklin leadership training meetings in July + September ii. New Orientation manual  Improve succession planning a.i. Decrease the size of the board a.ii. Added volunteers from membership to existing committees to decrease workload of the board a.iii. Changes to the election process  Technology related improvements i. Online application process ii. Online recertification iii. Refreshed website with improved navigation  Financial viability a.iii.1.a.i. Monthly financial reports a.iii.1.a.ii. Reviewed and changed investment policy in May a.iii.1.a.iii. Added fee for GI audit to increase revenue without increasing fee for certification exam 3. Promote the value of certification  Increase collaboration with SGNA  Build alliances with other organizations i. VA – ‘Get Certified’ campaign ii. ABNS  Market certification Mailing to supervisors and managers 25 anniversary promotion/advertising Tagline added to publications The Board meeting adjourned at 4:45 pm

Sunday, November 6, 2011 1) Meeting called to Order

Kathryn called the meeting to order at 0810 Central Time

2) David Schmahl, EVP & Chief Executive, Healthcare & Scientific Industry Practice on Smith Bucklin value, fees  Erin is 1 of 17 executive directors that report to Schmahl o Brief discussion re: executive director service 2 organizations 2.i. Only 10 out of 100 organizations have a dedicated executive director

 Asked BOD bring forward areas of strain=healthy governance  2009-2010 financial problems o Decline in financial support from vendors o Need to increase efficiency o Service company ads value because they understand financials [Smith Bucklin aggressive financial guidance = no organization folding] o Need to define highly valued member to protect core to maintain membership o 15% decrease in overall revenue  2011 moderate growth 2-3% -- now try to slowly rebuild  Discussion re: professional + certifying organization sharing management organization o Each company has own financial investment company o No pooling of client funds o Merger of ABCGN + SGNS against ABNS standards i. Collaboration contract – memoranda of understanding  Discussion re: cost of management company + mistakes due to turn over of entry level staff o ABCGN 25th anniversary mailing sent in CBGNA envelops o LPNs sent recertification renal notices  Leslie Stewart asked ABCGN to declare what we want from SGNA o Funding for specific project i.e. job analysis o % Smith Bucklin fee subsidy  AMETICO presentation -- time consuming, cost prohibiting mistake

3) Mark Thorsby, Vice President, SmithInstitute Strategic Planning Survey  Management= paid o Answers questions . how, how much, who  Governance board=volunteers o Answers questions . What, when, where, why o Certificants, owners, customers – care about fulfilling a mission . Program/products/services at a fair price  Long range planning 24-36 months  Board needs to give specific direction to management  “Race for Relevance”  Future – need to develop action plan o Association needs to go to the customer, not expect the customer to come to us  Survey Highlights o Cost o Value o Quality of exam o New participation o Succession planning o Partnership o Autonomy o Role delineation o ABNS reaccreditation o Marketing  Brain Storming session to determine 3 most important issues

The Board reconvened at 11:45 AM.

2012 Budget Jeanie Ebbert APPROVED the 2012 budget.

Meeting adjourned at 12:03 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Deb Copeland, BSN, CGRN, RN-BC Secretary