Examples of suggestions for SNA activities
• Fundraisers for nursing students and nursing programs , as well as others , affected by disasters . For example , Hurricane Ida , as well as wildfires in the Western states , have had an impact on the lives of many nursing students and their families . The Disaster Relief Fund of the Foundation of the NSNA , the charitable arm of NSNA , provides needed funds . Deans or directors of nursing programs may apply for grants on behalf of their nursing programs or students affected by disasters (
https :// www . forevernursing . org / disaster-relief-fund . html )
• Participation as a chapter or individuals in community assistance activities to help people in need , including people and communities affected by disasters
• Certification in disaster response through the American Red Cross Disaster Certification Course , offered by NSNA at both the NSNA MidYear Conference and annual convention , as well as through local Red Cross chapters .
• Mentoring : Matching experienced students with incoming students to create mentoring “ families ” where 2-3 experienced students are matched with 2-4 incoming students
• Flexible meeting formats ; in-person meetings , hybrid meetings with members in person and connection through platforms like Zoom ; virtual meetings
• Collections of food and needed items for people and groups in need . Delivery and distribution events . Check with organizations before donating as needs vary
• Attendance at NSNA ’ s monthly virtual Forums as well as other events . Keeping up with news in the weekly online newsletters from NSNA
• Planning delegations to state and NSNA conferences
• Joint meetings via Zoom with other chapters
• Charity walks / runs as fun and fundraisers
• Collaboration with the Ronald McDonald House and other charities to provide the bundles or baskets of requested items , for example toiletries and items for families staying at RMH to be close to their ill children . Although in-person visits may be limited , provision of needed items is appreciated . NOTE : Before donating , check with the organization as needs are specific
• Outreach to elderly community members via telephone
• Creation of videos and presentations about nursing and health promotion to be shown to school children via Zoom , visits to schools , or for use by teachers
• Participation in vaccine clinics
• Craft sessions in person or via Zoom where members get together to work on a project such as a quilt , knitting caps for newborns at local shelters or other locations , or working on individual projects such as holiday gifts
• Virtual or in-person movies , walking together , or other social events
• In-person meetings and receptions before meetings featuring refreshments like pizza Respecting diversity of members by offering vegetarian , vegan , and kosher / halal options as needed
• “ Chapter Rising ” activities — for example , strategic planning , sessions focusing on building chapter infrastructure , such as updating bylaws , creating chapter information resources , developing social media , identifying and assisting potential candidates for office , fostering advocacy through programming about current legislative issues , development and presentation of resolutions , and so forth •
36 NSNA IMPRINT • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 • www . nsna . org