Agenda / Education Sessions

7:30 - 8:30
Registration

8:30 - 8:50
Welcome

8:50 - 9:20
Keynote address by U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee (WA, 1st Congressional District)

9:20 - 10:20
Presentation of WSNA Legislative Priorities for 2010

10:20 - 10:40
WSNA-PAC Fundraising

10:40 - 11:00
Break

11:00 - 12:00
Concurrent breakout sessions

Olympia 101: Grassroots Basics (Auditorium of the WA Performing Arts Center) – Learn the basics on how to voice your opinion in Olympia and, more importantly, how to make sure you get heard. You’ll learn grassroots basics such as how a bill becomes a law, how to contact your legislators, and practical advocacy tools and strategies to get you involved on issues you care about. Presenters: Alecia Cosgrove, RN, Patty Hayes, RN, and Lyzz Caley Stewart, RN.

Passion for Politics: What is the RN Role? (Black Box Theater in WA Performing Arts Center) – We will examine the importance of RN engagement in the electoral process and why we need more nurses to run for political office. Hear from two RN legislators on their experience in running for office and serving in Olympia. Presenters: Representative Tami Green, RN, and Representative Dawn Morrell, RN.

State Budget Shortfall: What’s the Impact? (Washington Room of Governor Hotel) – We will examine the proposed health care budget cuts in Olympia and its impact on the community. Learn about the budget process and revenue options available to fund critical health care programs. Presenters: Jim Dawson (FUSE) & Jeff Chapman (WA State Budget & Policy Center)

Environmental Health Priorities (Legislative Room of Governor Hotel) – Learn about how WSNA is working on environmental health issues as a member of the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition. You’ll find out about hot topics for this year’s legislative session such as getting rid of toxic bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics and safe pharmaceutical disposal. Also hear from member organizations of the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition about how you can get involved in preventing toxic chemicals from destroying our health and our environment. Presenter: Karen Bowman, MN, RN, COHN-S

12:00 - 1:30
Lunch / Legislator of the Year Award Presentation to Sen. Karen Keiser - at the Capitol Rotunda

A special lunch meeting of the ARNPs Coalition will be held at the Washington Room of the Governor Hotel from 12:00-1:00pm. All ARNPs are welcome.

1:30 - 4:30
‘Putting it All Together’ - Visit with your legislators and attend hearings

Visit your legislator in Olympia - they want to hear what’s important to nurses from nurses!

This is your opportunity to take what you’ve learned during Nurse Legislative Day, put it into practice, and start making an impact in Olympia. Many legislators have Nurse Legislative Day marked on their calendars and are eager to hear from nurses in their district.

To find out who your legislators are and to make an appointment, the WA State Legislative Website provides an easy to use tool at: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx. You can also call Washington’s toll free legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000 to find out the names of your Legislators and make appointments to see them.

If you need assistance, contact Sofia Aragon, Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor for WSNA at saragon@wsna.org or (206) 575-7979 ext. 3009.