WNA Membership Votes to Move to Dissolve Regions

At the WNA Convention on September 27th, the Board discussed the proposed dissolution of the regions throughout the state and becoming more unified to open opportunities for all members regardless of geographic location.  This would change the structure to not require five different regional Presidents, Vice Presidents, Treasurers and Secretaries, but instead have five Director-at-Large positions voted by the entire membership to sit on the Board.  These positions would be voting members on the WNA Board just like the current Region Presidents.  There was great discussion between the membership and the board as to how these changes would occur. 

Electronic voting was sent to the membership on October 1st and was open until October 30th.  The membership voted to dissolve the Regions by 92.73% for and 7.27% against.  On November 18th the WNA Board of Directors met to review the results and cast a final vote.  The Board chose to follow the membership’s lead and voted to dissolve the WNA Regions. 

With the dissolution of the Regions, the Board is converting these board seats to include six total Director-at-Large positions; one of these positions is reserved for a new graduate.  The terms of these seats will be two years to conform to our current structure and will be staggered to align with the board officer positions.  Therefore, in September of 2026 two board Director-at-Large and one New Graduate Director will be voted on along with President Elect and Treasurer and in September 2027 three Director-at-Large positions will be voted in along with Vice President and Secretary. 

With this election schedule, the board is seeking to appoint Director-at-Large positions to be filled until the above elections can be filled.  Brenna Kirsch, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC has been appointed as the first Director-at-Large for WNA to fill the term that expires in September 2027.  Kirsch has been the President of the Southwest Region, which was the only active Region functioning in the state. 

The following terms are open for appointment:

• two (2) Director-at-Large positions that expire September 2026,
• one (1) New Graduate Director position expiring September 2026 , and
• two (2) Director-at-Large positions that expire September 2027.

The Board is opening to the membership the Consent to Serve for the Director-at-Large positions and also a New Graduate Director position.  This New Graduate position has been in the Bylaws, but not filled for several years.  The Board recognizes the importance of new graduates and is excited to have this position filled.  Candidates are eligible if they are a graduate within two (2) years of initial licensure.  The Board is looking for candidates with a variety of education, practice and geographical diversity to ensure broad representation of the membership.  We ask all interested candidates to please complete the Consent to Serve here.  Applications will be accepted until January 1st and individuals will be appointed at the January Board Meeting.