* * NYSASN MEMBERS VOTE FOR NASN UNIFICATION * *

After several years of discussion, education and contemplating, the NYSASN Board of Directors put forth a general membership vote to consider unification of membership with NASN. On Friday, May 12, 2006, those votes were counted and 82% of the returned votes said YES.

Therefore, for the coming membership year, and at least the next two that follow, NYSASN members will also become members of NASN. Thirty-one states have voted to participate in this trend before NY’s vote. These states have accepted the challenge and put their support and confidence behind NASN to lead the way to stronger legislative power at the federal level and improved communication at all levels. Now, you too will be part of this phenomenon, just as NASN opens its Washington, DC office and brings its national conference to New York City.

Transition may be rocky at times and smooth at others. Please bear with us as we work out the kinks. Expect your membership renewal letter to come with joint letterhead logos from both organizations. Prepare to put some of your dues aside now, because the bill will be comparable to the combined dues of both organizations. Remember that you can use a credit card to make this payment. You can also join/renew online once the unification process has been established. New publications will start to arrive at your home monthly. Watch the NYSASN website for updates as they occur. We plan to create a transition page with questions and answers, ideas and benefits, and contact numbers for all the key people involved. If you have already paid your 2006-07 dues, you will be contacted personally as to how to proceed.

For now, questions can be emailed to Deb Ilardi RN, our NASN Director from NY at dilardi@portbridge.com, or call her at home at 315-699-4856. All questions will receive careful attention and consideration. We want you to continue to be a part of the twenty year organization that has brought us from isolation into the current political and health environment of our public, private and parochial schools. We truly look forward to a bright future together.

Joanne Reynolds, President 2006

Diane Levin, Membership Chair

Deb Ilardi, NASN Director