Authors

  1. McMahon, Maria MSN, PNP-AC/PC, RN

Article Content

The Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) has experienced tremendous grown both nationally and globally over the last 20 years. The STN Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that members have the tools that they need to provide the highest level of trauma care.

 

The development of a wide range of educational courses, expansion of trauma resources, partnership with the Journal of Trauma Nursing, and the determination to ensure the formation of a trauma nursing certification examination are just a few examples of how STN serves its members. With these visionary plans and innovative thinking, financial responsibility and budget planning have been amplified according to STN's organizational and member increases.

 

For STN and any organization that want to continue to grow, all aspects of the financial position play a very important role. Careful monitoring and management of the STN budget and resources are necessary to measure progress and help ensure that results meet the goals outlined in the strategic plan.

 

Fortunately, STN is in a strong financial position. Operational planning requires that the STN budget annually meets policy guidelines, as well as including a careful analysis to determine STN's ability to allocate funds for new projects. The fiscal year begins on July 1. Throughout the year, the financials are vetted through several staff and volunteer stewards to ensure accuracy, accountability, and transparency. In addition to Agentis, STN's Management Company, the Treasurer reviews the financials monthly and then sends them to the Finance Committee and the Board of Directors for review. In addition, there is a biennial audit and biennial review, conducted by a contracted, professional CPA firm, Mann, Weitz and Associates. This maintains a nonbiased objective appraisal.

 

In addition to strict internal controls to promote fiduciary responsibility and transparency, the Board and Membership recently amended the STN bylaws so that two nonboard STN members could be appointed to participate on the STN Finance Committee. These members were chosen from a list of individuals who expressed an interest in volunteering in STN. The role of the Finance Committee member liaisons includes taking a hard look at investments and net income to help with long-term strategic financial planning to meet STN's long-range goals. The committee meets quarterly for a 1-hr teleconference, and the most recent financial reports are provided beforehand for review.

 

The Finance Committee and the Board of Directors welcome comments or suggestions from members about the financials of STN. STN members may request a copy of the most recent (unaudited) financial statements at any time. Annual audited financial statements are presented at the STN member meeting, and STN's annual 990 IRS filing is available at http://guidestar.org, or upon request. Please visit http://traumanurses.org for more information and ongoing organizational updates.