An Important Chapter Update from ONS Headquarters, from Brian K. Theil, CAE, Director, Membership and Component Relations, ONS Headquarters

Attention California Oncology Nurses! Thinking of taking an oncology certification exam through ONCC? If so, now's the time to do it, as the Masons of California's By Your Side grants could reimburse you for up to $600 for your ONCC application fee, ONS membership, ONS local chapter membership, and an ONS online review course!

Looking for documents, forms, or other chapter resources? Check out the Chapter Documents link on the left side of the page for quick access to all ONS chapter resources!

Due Quarterly
Updated chapter membership directory (to be sent to chapters@ons.org).

Important announcement regarding quarterly Treasurer Reports: The ONS Board of Directors recently approved that beginning in 2012, chapters will no longer be required to submit quarterly treasurer reports to ONS headquarters, only the annual treasurer report. Chapter treasurers are encouraged to continue to provide quarterly or monthly reports or financial update statements to their respective chapter boards, but no longer will chapters be required to send ONS headquarters the quarterly report. If you have any questions regarding the change in this policy please contact Brian Taylor, manager of chapter relations, btaylor@ons.org or tel: (412) 859-6403.

Due: January 31, 2012

• Chapter Annual Report
• Chapter Newsletter Award Application
• Chapter Recruitment & Retention Award Appliation
• Yearly Treasurer Report

February 15, 2012
ONS national election deadline (5pm ET)

July 20-22, 2012
Chapter Leadership Workshop (formerly called 'Mentorship Weekend'), Pittsburgh, PA

October 31, 2012
ONS Awards application deadline

Chapters will receive $10 ONS credits for every member recruited. To receive credit, have the recruit write the chapter's name in the Member-Bring-A-Member Information section of the ONS application located on the ONS website.

To help in recruitment efforts, ONS has created a slide show that explains the benefits of chapter membership.  Feel free to use for your chapter recruitment activities.

Pharma Guidelines Webcast
The ONS webcast “Changing PhRMA Regulations: Understanding Your Role as an Oncology Nurse,” is now available. As Chapter Leaders, we want to make sure you have access to the information your members need. ONS will continue to keep you informed of new changes and additional information.

On a recent survey made available to both ONS members and potential members, the most important reason for ONS to be involved internationally was “to learn from colleagues outside the U.S.,” followed closely by “to partner with international organizations.”

You may be familiar with the Oncology Nurses Worldwide email partnership program or the International Tiered Membership category (an online membership) for ONS members from lower resource countries. But has your chapter considered taking an active role in partnering with international colleagues?

Many chapters have made memberships available to colleagues from lower resource countries, sent publications as needed/requested, and even sponsored international colleagues to come to Congress! Some chapter members are personally involved with oncology nursing societies in countries that are anxious to learn about topics like safe handling and prevention/early detection.

There are excellent and enriching ways to connect your chapter with colleagues and oncology nursing societies in all regions of the world, and your impact in many of these areas is significant! If you are interested in learning more, or hearing from ONS chapters who are involved in international outreach, please write to international@ons.org or visit the International Affairs page of the ONS Web site: http://www.ons.org/international.