|
20 Years of
WRHA!
The
Washington Rural Health Association entered its 20th
year of rural health advocacy at our annual meeting in
March. 2007-2008 President David Olson invited members
who had been there at the beginning to share some
thoughts with the group. Secretary Mary Selecky, Steve
Meltzer, PA-C, and Dr. John Anderson talked about the
beginning of the association. At a meeting in Ellensburg
to talk about legislative advocacy around that time, the
idea to start a local rural health association began.
After several planning
discussions during 1987, WRHA officially began on March
31, 1988, at a meeting held in conjunction with the
Northwest Regional Rural Health Conference. Initial
versions of the bylaws and membership structure were
drafted, and the original members signed up. We were one
of the first states to have a state association
independent of the National Rural Health Association. It
started with some very simple things, but has matured
greatly over the last 20 years. We can take pride in our
Association’s history and look to the future with
enthusiasm.
This year’s annual meeting
activities also included an overview of the past year’s
activities, recognition of past board members, and
election of new board members (see page 18). The
membership also voted to revise the bylaws, after
amending the Bylaws Committee’s initial proposal. David
Olson then introduced Jeanette Weyrich as the new
president of the Washington Rural Health Association.
Jeanette shared some thoughts on the importance of the
Association as a voice for rural health, because
successful rural health means not choosing between one
element and another, but bringing everyone together and
working toward healthy communities. Everyone is needed
to successfully collaborate, communicate, and coordinate
in service of rural health.
The 20th Board of Directors
met the following day after the conference adjourned.
The Board has decided to devote a day in June to
big-picture planning for WRHA, evaluating our goals and
our activities. Full minutes from the Annual Meeting and
the Board Meeting are available
here.
Back - P Is For Passion♦
Table of Contents
♦
Next - National News: Patient
Safety |
