As RNAO’s current president, NP Lhamo Dolkar was the master of ceremonies at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2025. Many presidents before her have played this critical role at the annual gathering, and several of them were on hand this spring to celebrate the milestone 100th anniversary of the association they helped to build. 

In her Spring-Summer 2025 RNJ column, Dolkar wrote: “What I find remarkable about RNAO’s history is the common thread between the past and present.” 

This idea of a shared “thread” from past to present – coupled with a desire to lead change and innovation on behalf of the profession and have an impact on collective good – is something both past and present nursing leaders agree is a key driving force behind RNAO’s success. 

We asked eight past-presidents who attended the AGM to take a walk down memory lane with us, honouring the anniversary and reflecting on what brought them to RNAO. 

Here’s what they had to say about the event and their memorable moments at AGMs gone by.