Annual Chapter Highlight Report 2001-2002

Annual Chapter Highlight Report

North Dakota Chapter 2001-2002
By Don Schott, Past President

Intuition does not come to an unprepared mind.  That is the mantra of the Container Store, which has finished no worse than second on Forbes’ annual list of the 100 Best Places to work.  The leaders of NDHFMA also believe in this philosophy and in accordance with its mission, the North Dakota Chapter of HFMA continued to prepare the minds of the health care leaders of the state through high quality education and networking opportunities.  The chapter met all charter requirements as predicated by the National Association and, while doing so, celebrated many successful activities during the year.  A few, of the many, highlights are cited in this report.

Membership Volume

The North Dakota chapter ended fiscal year 2002 with 147 members, down 3 from fiscal year 2001.  Although a deficit occurred, in reality, this was an amazing accomplishment. Shortly after the beginning of the fiscal year in May, our membership dropped by 18 members, a 12% decrease from our starting count.  Much of this loss was due to the continual turnover of healthcare personnel in the state and the closure of our top supporting organization membership wise, Banner Health System in Fargo.  The recovery of our early loss in membership is an incredible feat.  The National Association recognized this effort and awarded the chapter with a Yerger Award[1] for membership recruitment. 

Educational Programming

The educational offerings and attendance during the year were excellent.  For, at least, the fifth year in a row the chapter has received the highest honor awarded by National for educational performance, the Charles F. Mehler Gold Award.  To receive this award the chapter must have a minimum of 18.12 education hours per member.  The chapter finished the year with 18.59.  The chapter was also awarded a Yerger Award1 for its Fall Educational conference in Grand Forks.  This conference was most notable because the national speaker, who was scheduled for a full day of activities, cancelled her engagement a day before the conference because of potential additional terrorists attacks following the tragedies of September 11.  With less than 24 hours before the conference was slated to start, a full day’s program was constructed and subsequently delivered by chapter members sharing their vast expertise of the health care industry.  The circumstances and satisfaction results of the attendees surely made this a conference deserving of national recognition.

Member Communications

The chapter successfully distributed 4 member newsletters as required.  In addition, our chapter was selected by national to participate in a pilot program to implement a Chapter website that will ultimately provide members with a seamless system of service to both national and local chapter activities and information. The chapter’s initial website, www.ndhfma.org, went online in January.  The Yerger for outstanding performance in member communications was awarded for the website initiative.

Certification

The chapter also received the Gold award for excellence in certification.  Certification is highly promoted by national.  It is an honor for the chapter to be recognized in this area.

In closing…

2001/2002 was a very successful year.  Representing the chapter at the Annual National Institute in Seattle was truly an honor.  I applaud and thank all of the chapter’s members, and particularly, its officers and board for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year.