Recap of 99th #RNAOAGM

That’s a wrap on another energizing Annual General Meeting (AGM). More than one thousand RNs, NPs and friends of RNAO from across Ontario and elsewhere in Canada and abroad gathered in Toronto June 20 - 22 to celebrate the association's 99th AGM. The event began with an awe-inspiring procession led by a stilt walker and juggler featuring RNAO’s board of directors, past presidents, elected officials, Lifetime Achievement Award winners, and more. Aligned with the theme – Nursing: Celebrating successes, solving challenges – the AGM was a lively, inspiring occasion filled with opportunities to share stories of the impact of RNAO and its more than 54,400 members.

The three-day event featured a traditional Indigenous opening from Grandmother Dorothy Peters followed by remarks from RNAO's now President NP Lhamo Dolkar, immediate past-president Dr. Claudette Holloway and CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun, as well as elected officials from Ontario’s main political parties – Premier Doug Ford (video message), Health Minister Sylvia Jones (video message), minister of long-term care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP for Toronto—St. Paul’s Dr. Jill Andrews, Liberal Party Leader Bonnie Crombie, and deputy leader of the Ontario Green Party and MPP for Kitchener Centre Aislinn Clancy, Deputy Minister of Health Deborah Richardson – the secretary of the Ontario cabinet Michelle DiEmanuele, Ontario’s chief nursing officer Dr. Karima Velji, and international nursing colleagues – chief nursing officer of the World Health Organization Dr. Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu, president of International Council of Nurses president Dr. Pamela Cipriano and president of Sigma Nursing Dr. Sandra C. Garmon Bibb (letter). View the agenda for the full list of speakers).

RNAO was proud to recognize the 11 newly designated Best Practice Spotlight Organizations® during the opening ceremonies, including the four founding BPSO Ontario Health Teams and the Philippines’’ first BPSO. This year’s esteemed Recognition Awards’ and Media Awards’ recipients were also honoured during dedicated ceremonies. Congratulations again to all of the BPSO designates and award recipients for your incredible contributions to nursing, health and health care.

During members’ voices, representatives from RNAO’s chapters, regions and regions without chapters, and interest groups took to the mic to share highlights of their group’s activities. Members also engaged in a consultation session of the 12 proposed resolutions. Voting members passed all of the proposed resolutions, which will help guide the association’s future work. With the announcement of the association’s 2024-2025 board of directors, members applauded outgoing president Holloway as she passed the torch to RNAO’s new President NP Lhamo Dolkar.

The final day of AGM saw an inspiring keynote presentation entitled Town Hall – Nursing Leaders’ Stories. Moderated by Grinspun, the panelists – Dolkar, Holloway, NP Melissa Germann and newly graduated RN  Tania La Fleur – shared stories about overcoming challenges, living fulfilling nursing moments and embarking on inspiring stories, The session also featured stories shared by RNAO members Nevine Bekhit, Fatima Raza and Sallie Hammond about how they’ve positively impacted patients, families and communities through their practice. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their inspirational stories of impact as a way to celebrate our one-of-a-kind profession.

For an overview of RNAO’s work and advocacy over the past year, read the association’s 2023-2024 annual report. 

Thank you to everyone who attended AGM in person or tuned in to the livestream. For more details and photos from AGM, read RNAO’s thread of posts (day one, day two and day three) on X (formerly Twitter). And, watch videos from the event on the AGM portal.

The countdown has begun for the 100th anniversary of your professional association. Mark your calendar: the 100th #RNAOAGM will take place May 29 - 31, 2025 in Toronto. Until then, continue to wear your NP/RN/NS (nursing student) pin to show you’re #RNAOProud.

See below for photo highlights of each day as well as a video recap of RNAO's activities over the past year.