Angela Cooper Brathwaite

It has been a privilege and an honour serving as RNAO’s president for the past two years. When I assumed the role back in 2018, RNAO had 41,000 members. Today, there are 43,408. Leading from the boardroom has been a joyous experience.

RNAO’s Fall Tour is always inspiring for me and our CEO Doris Grinspun. We get the opportunity to visit with many of you, where you practise and in the communities you call home across Ontario.

If you think about it, RNAO membership is one of the best ways nursing students can launch their professional careers. It literally prepares today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders.

This issue of the Journal includes coverage of RNAO’s 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM) (page 19). The event was a resounding success and also marked my first full year as president.

Queen’s Park Day in February included 160 members, 60 per cent of whom were first-time attendees. They met with 60 MPPs. RNAO members have a powerful collective voice. We are able to achieve great things for nursing, the health-care system and the health of Ontarians when advocating for healthy public policy.

Our world is always changing. According to a character in the 1980 novel Way of the Peaceful Warrior, the secret of change is to focus all your energy on building the new, not on fighting the old. 

One of the privileges of being  RNAO president is the chance to connect with members where they work or live. I met enthusiastic groups of RNs, NPs and nursing students during the fall tour, which the CEO and president take part in each year. 

Each year at this time, the energy at RNAO home office is at its peak intensity as staff work hard helping you to renew your membership and introducing new members to the numerous benefits the association offers.

Membership in RNAO is something I have valued ever since I joined 30 years ago. 

In the last issue of the journal,  I hinted that I like to describe myself as a servant leader.

It is a privilege and honour to serve as RNAO’s 55th president. When Carol Timmings passed the ceremonial gavel to me during RNAO’s annual general meeting (AGM), I pledged to support, serve and advocate. That is my motto for my presidency.