Affectionately known as Wonder Weekend, more than 70 NAPNAP members gathered in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 2-4 for a series of leadership and networking events designed to develop new leaders and leverage the activities of the 50 chapters and 18 special interest groups.
“The nickname Wonder Weekend was coined by an Executive Board member because there are so many exciting events rolled into the three-day experience,” said NAPNAP President Raji Koppolu, RN, MSN, CPNP, MSL. “Along with the leadership focus, we use this time to maximize our members’ knowledge and passion with scheduled meetings with their Congressional representatives and senators.”
Forty-four representatives attended the Chapter and SIG Leader Summit on Nov. 2. Koppolu provided a progress update on NAPNAP’s diversity and inclusion efforts and new strategic plan. NAPNAP President-elect Jessica Peck, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, FAANP, encouraged leaders to support the NAPNAP Foundation and NAPNAP Partners for Vulnerable Youth. Schnese Williams, BSN, RN, CPNP-AC, and Nancy Cavanaugh, CPNP-PC, both Executive Board members-at-large, spoke about engaging and fostering leadership among new and early career members.
More than 70 members participated in the NP Leadership and Advocacy Forum on Nov. 3. Speaker topics included the leadership journey, media training, diversity and inclusion, strategic strategies to improve interprofessional collaborative practice in primary care centers and how to empower students to become leaders. The day concluded with advocacy training to prepare members for their Capitol Hill visits.
“Thank all of you for the amazing leadership and advocacy conference this weekend! It was truly inspiring! The speakers and sessions were amazing, and the collegial conversation and brainstorming was immensely helpful! I am truly thankful for NAPNAP and all that you all do every day to support NAPNAP, our members and children,” said Kelli Garber, MSN, PPCNP-BC.
Fifty-five NAPNAP members visited nearly 50 House of Representative and 46 Senate offices spread over 23 states. Their efforts resulted in 95 separate meetings. Advocacy topics were:
- Take Action to Address the Youth Nicotine Addiction
- Improve Public Awareness of and Access to Vaccines and Immunization
- Protect Immigrant Children in Federal Custody
- Support Pediatric Advanced Practice Nurse Education
In just a few minutes, you can use our pre-formatted letters to connect with your elected official on these topics by visiting our Advocacy Center.
“The Executive Board and I are thrilled to provide an opportunity for our members to clearly communicate their passion and expertise on child health policy topics directly to their representatives,” said NAPNAP Chief Executive Officer Cate Brennan, MBA, CAE. “It is critically important for federal legislators and their staff to hear from their constituents on urgent issues related to the health and well-being of children.” NAPNAP is non-partisan in its advocacy philosophy.
This year’s participating NAPNAP chapters were: Austin, Blue City, Colorado, Georgia, Greater Kansas City, Greater Texas, Houston, Illinois, Los Angeles, Maryland Chesapeake, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania Delaware Valley, Ohio, Orange County, Pennsylvania Three Rivers, San Diego, South Alamo, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia and Washington State. The Acute Care, Breastfeeding Education, Children in Disasters, Child Maltreatment and Neglect, Developmental Behavioral and Mental Health, Immunization, Integrative Health, Pediatric Palliative Care, Pediatric Emergency and School Based Health Care special interest groups were also represented at the event.
NAPNAP plans to return to Washington, D.C., for its third Wonder Weekend in fall 2021.
