External Service
- Member, American Nurses Association
- Support and uphold the ANA’s mission and values, which include advancing the nursing profession, promoting high-quality patient care, and advocating for the rights and well-being of nurses and patients
- Participate in ANA events and activities, such as conferences, workshops, and advocacy campaigns, to stay informed about the latest developments in nursing and healthcare policy
- Advocate for nursing and patient rights at the local, state, and national levels by engaging with elected officials and policymakers, and staying informed about relevant legislation and regulations
- Support ongoing professional development and education, both for myself and for other nurses, to ensure that they stay up-to-date with the latest nursing practices and trends
- Promote and support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the nursing profession, both within my workplace and more broadly in society, by championing initiatives to support underrepresented groups and advocating for social justice
- Member, GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Health Equity
- Advocate for LGBTQ+ healthcare rights and work towards ending healthcare disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals
- Participate in GLMA activities and events, such as educational workshops, conferences, and outreach programs to stay informed about current issues and advancements in LGBTQ+ healthcare
- Collaborate with other healthcare providers to make recommendations for culturally sensitive and affirming healthcare for LGBTQ+ patients
- Educate about LGBTQ+ healthcare issues, such as sexual and gender minority health disparities, and the unique healthcare needs of the LGBTQ+ community
- Help promote the visibility of LGBTQ+ healthcare providers, and work towards creating a more inclusive healthcare environment for LGBTQ+ patients and healthcare professionals
- Member, National League for Nursing
- Support and promote the NLN’s mission to promote excellence in nursing education to build a strong and diverse nursing workforce
- Participate in NLN events, such as conferences, webinars, and workshops, to stay informed about current trends and best practices in nursing education
- Engage in ongoing professional development and education to improve my own teaching skills and stay up-to-date with the latest nursing education research and practices
- Collaborate with other nurse educators to develop and implement effective teaching strategies and curricula that prepare nursing students for successful careers in the field
- Advocate for nursing education at the local, state, and national levels by engaging with policymakers and stakeholders, and staying informed about relevant legislation and regulations
- Member, Sigma Theta Tau International
- Uphold the honor society’s mission and core values, including scholarship, leadership, service, and excellence in nursing
- Serve as a role model for other nurses and healthcare professionals by demonstrating ethical and professional behavior
- Participate in and contribute to STT’s activities and programs, such as educational events, research initiatives, and advocacy efforts
- Collaborate with other members to promote and advance the nursing profession, both locally and globally
- Mentor and support other nurses, particularly those who are early in their careers or pursuing advanced degrees
- Continuously pursue professional development opportunities and stay current on the latest nursing research, trends, and best practices
- Foster a culture of lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity among colleagues and peers
- Contribute to the development and dissemination of nursing knowledge through scholarly activities, such as research, publication, and presentations
- Engage in community service and volunteerism to promote health and wellness in the broader community
- Help to promote the society and its mission to the public, including prospective members, employers, and other stakeholders
- 2020 Organizing Team, Nursing Mutual Aid Virtual Conference
- 2018-2019 Oversight Committee Member, Community Health Needs Assessment, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, BarnabasHealth
- 2013-2018 Director of Youth Programming, North Jersey Pride
- Planned youth portion of large outdoor music and vendor festival (“Kids’ Zone”) with over 1,000 youth participants
- Coordinated volunteer placement for Kids’ Zone
- Communicated with vendors
- Solicited funding and sponsors for Kids’ Zone
- 2017-2018 Disney Parks Moms Panelist, The Walt Disney Company
- Answered questions for guests of the Walt Disney World Resort
- Participated in focus groups at the Walt Disney World Resort
- Attended promotional events at the Walt Disney World Resort
- 2015-2018 Co-Founder, RAD Family
- Organized monthly support group meetings for families of LGBTQ youth, with focus on transgender and gender fluid youth
- Planned quarterly social gatherings for families of LGBTQ youth, with focus on transgender and gender fluid youth
- Spoke to community and school groups about transgender and gender fluid youth
- Solicited funding for events
- Communicated with media about organization
- 2014-2017 Member, Board of Managers, South Mountain YMCA, Maplewood, New Jersey
- Chair, Program Committee, responsible for assessing and modifying programs for child care and school-age children
Informal Community Organizing Work
In addition to these formal community roles, I have been privileged to informally serve my community in many ways as a community organizer and activist, including organizing a number of events around protesting for anti-racism, against police violence, and spearheading the renaming of a local elementary school so that it would no longer be named after a former enslaver. Examples of previously organized events include a “die in” for Black lives and several LGBTQ+ pride marches, vigils, and other community experiences and writings.
Informal community organizing work is incredibly important as it can fill gaps left by formal organizations and build community resilience. By bringing people together and building social networks, informal organizing can create a sense of belonging and shared purpose that can help communities overcome adversity. This type of organizing can also encourage grassroots leadership and help to amplify the voices of marginalized or underrepresented groups. Informal organizing can be a powerful force for social change and can help to build more inclusive, just, and equitable communities. It can also provide a sense of empowerment and agency for individuals who might otherwise feel disengaged or disconnected from their communities. By valuing and supporting informal organizing work, we can help to create stronger, more connected, and more resilient communities.
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