It is hard to believe that Cheryl and I are completing our year as Co-Presidents. As I reflect upon this past year we have gone thru many changes. We lost a dear colleague to cancer, we do not want to forget our friend, and advocate Maureen O’Hara. In dedication to Maureen our chapters annual December giving will be in her name to “Teal there’s a Cure”. We also cannot go without mentioning the retirement of Dorothy Morse, who was very dedicated to our chapter and a friend, whose administrative help we thought we could not manage without.  As I went to the leadership meeting in Saratoga, I left Syracuse destitute, and excitedly left Saratoga with new hope. To our great fortune we were able to institute an amazing website given to us by the state, that meets all the needs of our chapter, in an easy organized manner.  The website encompasses all forms of comminication, easing the loss of Dorothy.  We have truly gone thru many changes this year, successfully, due to the dedication of many members who make it all possible on the executive board both locally and at the state level.

I am excited to say we are looking forward to the 2013 Annual Teaching Day, as Helen O’Neill is taking a hold of the project as Conference Coordiantor, running with it, all the way towards a home run, we expect it to be a huge success. Helen does need our continued help as now the activity to running a large endeavor ramps up the closer we get to the date. So please join us on the Conference Committee.

I guess this will be the last time as Co-President, I will chant my mantra, that we need to encourage our colleagues to join the state NPA. Meryl reported at our last meeting that there are almost 17,000 nurse practitioners in the state of New York. As excited as we are that the states membership is now 3100 members strong, we are very far away from having the representation we need to keep us strong as we need to be. It is okay that you are too busy to be on a committee, we need you to just be a member of the state NPA, which is what counts.

So, in closing please have a wonderful Holiday season, Cheryl and I thank you for your support and dedication to our amazing profession, Happy Holidays, and have a healthy and happy New Year. Ann Roman