August 2007 | Vol. 25, No. 8

Chapter News

Paula Walsh, Chapters Subcommittee Co-Chair
Shelly Burns, Chapters Subcommittee Co-Chair

Each of the SVU chapters is unique in so many ways, reflective of the personality of the area in which they exist and their membership. Yet there are some also common features to our chapters and the challenges they face.

This month’s e-Spectrum column is a profile of the North Jersey Vascular Association (NJVA) written for us by Jeanette Flannery, RVT, RDMS. NJVA has been a recipient of the Outstanding Chapter Award for the last three years and Jeannette was this years’ recipient of the Outstanding Chapter Individual Award.

NJVA CHAPTER PROFILE

The North Jersey Vascular Association began in 1982 as a study group for the first RVT exam. It was comprised of approximately 12 members. We would meet during the evening hours to compile and study the material necessary for the exam. After the shock of the exam had passed, we continued to meet monthly to exchange ideas and learn from each other. At that time there were no formal schools for vascular technology. We grew as new vascular labs opened in the area. In 1988 we learned that there were other “affiliated” chapters of the Society of Non-Invasive Vascular Technology. In 1989, we formally became the North Jersey Vascular Association with Teri Tierney as our first President.

Like other chapters we have had our ups and downs. Our membership increased and then interest was lost and we almost met our demise. The few of us left had to change our thinking and direction. We gave up our evening meetings since the traffic in New Jersey made it almost impossible for people to get to meetings at rush hour. We sent out a mass mailing and had our first Saturday meeting. Unfortunately, it was poorly attended. We invited guest speakers from the area to lecture on their area of expertise. Again, mass mailings were sent out with the information on the guest speakers and their topics. Interest and membership grew. We now offer two Saturday meetings a year with multiple speakers and at least 5 CME’s. We have kept our membership dues to $20.00 per year. This covers the two Saturday meetings and CME’s. Our local vendors support our chapter. Their vendor fee covers the food and speaker stipend. I have to admit, most of our physicians who are guest speaker return the stipend to support our chapter. Our membership has grown to 190 members in 2006.

Unfortunately, our original “seasoned” members have been in a round robin of holding office. We have been trying to entice our younger constituents to hold office and take over the control of the chapter. This is proving to be a daunting task. Looking toward the future, it was decided to change the original four member board to a three member board consisting of President, President-elect/Secretary and Treasurer. In this way a mentoring effect could take place. We also have changed to a two year limited term of office. In this way, members who would like to hold an office won’t be put off by the fear of being “stuck” with the position for a number of years.

I think that our success has a lot to do with the willingness and ability to change as the years went by. The dedication of the founding members and our newer members continue to enhance our chapter. The support of our local physicians as speakers and our vendors help to make the chapter meetings interesting and a great learning experience for our newer technologists.

I have been in the vascular field for 29 years and during that time I have seen wonderful advances in the way we help our patients. Chapters help the technologists who help the patients. I have met fantastic people in this field with a passion and a belief in what they do. I hope this reaches epidemic proportions in the younger people who will take over from us.

In summary, I think there may be a recipe for chapter success: 4 cups passion, 2 cups dedication, 1 _ cups support, and _ cup craziness; combine all ingredients and season with a handful of luck and keep your fingers crossed.

To all of our SVU members, I wish success, happiness and laughter.

Jeanette Flannery, RVT, RDMS
NJVA President