Marrice King I want to thank everyone for the chance to represent the e Chapter at congress; but I truly owe it all to Terri. I had thought that I would not be able to work on the vendor floor and be a delegate. She encouraged me to explore my options and helped me to fill the delegate seat. I am so glad she did because I found that I missed the collegiality of being a delegate while watching the first forum.
This year the quality bar was set high at the outset with the keynote speaker. I was not sure what to expect when Mike Rayburn came on stage wearing jeans and T shirt playing a guitar. I looked at my friends a said “What does this have to do with me in the OR”? I experienced an aha moment when Mr. Rayburn stated that to change anything, we first had to change the way we think. To be able to effect that change he taught us to ask, What if? and Why not? His music was extraordinary to say the least but the message that accompanied it was eye opening.
I was able to put his message to work right away at congress by applying his, What if? and Why not questions to the change suggested by the proposed amendment to the Nominating Committee. I feel that It helped me to be able to “hear” the differing individuals opinions during the discussions throughout congress. This was a heated discussion both in the forums and in several of the educational offerings. I hope that the conversation is continued here in this forum.
I have even been able to use the questions in my professional life at home as well. As a traveler in the OR I get to see the needling problems are universal. I’m trying to use what I have learned by confronting problems and situations by asking, What if? and Why not? I know as an organization we can explore the problems and make effective change. And I know that we as a chapter are positioned to help the organization make those changes.
Thank you again for allowing me to represent you.