Huston reviews milestones
The past biennium has been a time of growth and productivity for the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), said Carol Huston, RN, MSN, MPA, DPA, FAAN, as she reviewed 2007-09 achievements during the opening plenary of STTI's 40th Biennial Convention in Indianapolis. Huston reminded members that her call to action, “Leading Globally,” which she announced at the 39th Biennial Convention, held in Baltimore in November 2007, was based in large part on the strategic planning goals contained in Vision 2020.

Goals identified in Huston’s call to action included the following: 1) being intentionally global; 2) building knowledge resources; 3) developing leadership; and 4) providing service. Huston pointed out that, although STTI formally became an international organization 22 years ago, much still needs to be done to fully achieve that objective. For example, at present, only 4 percent of honor society members live outside the United States. By 2020, however, 20 percent of members will live outside the United States. To meet that commitment, a number of initiatives were launched and/or advanced during the past biennium.

For example, STTI developed a program to help chapters become more global, and the organization is investigating options for the establishment of an additional international office. To further foster internationalization of the honor society, the organization is also considering regionalization, on a global level, and seeking to overcome remaining language barriers that make it more difficult for non-English speaking members to make use of STTI resources.

The organization is also strengthening its international presence by expanding the International Academic Nursing Alliance (IANA), applying for associative status as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with the United Nations (a decision is expected by December), launching its first virtual honor society (soon to become a chapter) and strengthening partnerships with other global health care organizations.

In the 2007-09 biennium, funding for research increased by 60 percent, said Huston, and a credit card program with which STTI is affiliated brought in $226,000 for research. By the conclusion of this convention, she said, the STTI Foundation for Nursing will have met its goal of raising $3.5 million for research and leadership development.

In concluding her remarks, Huston observed that, during the past biennium, young members of the honor society have been engaged in meaningful ways at all levels of the organization, and additional programs directed at keeping retired members more engaged have also been developed. STTI is thus succeeding, she concluded, in merging the rich traditions of an 87-year-old organization with the adaptation required to succeed as a professional association in the 21st century.

Exhibit hall grand opening
Attendees had their first opportunity to visit the exhibit hall of the 40th Biennial Convention of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, where visitors mingled and enjoyed hors d’ouevres. This year’s exhibit hall features 80 exhibitors and the STTI Center Stage. New to the hall this year is Exhibit Hall Bingo; attendees can find their bingo card in their program book. The Exhibit Hall is open through Tuesday.

First-Time Attendee Orientation and Speed Connect
New members and first-time attendees connected at the First-Time Attendee Orientation and Speed Connect events. At the orientation, first-time attendees learned how to make the most of their convention experience. Those who have been members for two years or less connected at Speed Connect, an event that promotes networking.

International induction
On Saturday, 31 October 650 convention attendees gathered to celebrate an international induction ceremony. More than 20 nurse leaders were welcomed into STTI along with four honorary members. Honorary members included Her Royal Highness Princess Muna Al Hussein, Denise Polit, Monica Sharma and Norman Volk.

Tours for convention attendees
Four facilities in the Indianapolis area opened their doors to convention attendees today, giving them an up-close look at health care—past, present and future: Hill-Rom International Headquarters, Fairbanks Hall’s Interdisciplinary Simulation Center, the Indiana University School of Nursing Simulation Lab and the Indiana Medical History Museum. The tours were sponsored by Hill-Rom, Inc.; Clarian Health Nursing (a Triple Platinum sponsor); Indiana University School of Nursing; Laedral Medical; Medical Education Technologies; and the Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library. RNL