Historical Perspective of the PNAA Foundation
Phoebe C. Andes, RN, MA, PNAA Past President, PNAAF President
Pete Calixto, RN PNAA Past president
Noticing the dynamics in our organization during the PNAA convention session of June 2000,
in Indianapolis, Indiana, I suggested establishing a Foundation for PNAA. Pete Calixto, then the
presiding president was quick to say " Phoebe, why don't you investigate the feasibility of establishing
a PNAA Foundation'?". I guess this is usually what anybody gets, if one opens his/her mouth for anything
new and different. I saw everyone nodding their head, and I remember Araceh Antonio and Carmina Bautista saying,
"I'll help".
As with other professional organizations, a foundation augments the organizational expenses,
and makes educational programs affordable to all members. By concept, a Foundation can assist in research,
scholarship and educational projects through taxexempt gifts and donations. This is timely with the recent
impressive growth in chapter membership as well as the extraordinary talent of its members. The educational programs
offered in the past 2 decades were great?; But programs are not accessible to everyone due to financial constraints.
By establishing the PNAA Foundation, our organization will have a means of providing funds to welldeserving members.
The outcome is a knowledgeable nurse empowered to provide quality health care to his/her patients. I took the assignment
seriously. However, distance of each PNAA members hampered organizing it faster than what I wish for.
It took another year on July 2001 at Chicago, Illinois' annual convention when a core group of
PNAA leaders informally and excitedly met to finalize the Bylaws. Dr. Linda Simunek guided us explore the
legal and ethical aspect of the Foundation. Dr. Marie Couper, Ampy dela Paz, Lolita Compas, Emma Nemivant,
Araceli Antonio all contributed in the preparing the Foundation agenda for the general assembly presentation.
The Foundation Bylaws were then presented and unanimously accepted. The assembly approved $5,000.00 as seed
money, and voted for the current name of PNAA Foundation.
The assembly approved the following officers:
Phoebe Andes,President;
Lolita Compas, Vice President;
Ampy dela Paz, Executive Secretary;
Araceli Antonio, Secretary;
Martha Cabarios, Treasurer;
Dr. Marie Couper,
Board Members, Dr. Linda A. Simunek, Legal Advisor .
Further nominations for Board Members were pending upon regional representation?
The magic finally arrived on July 2002 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during our PNAA Annual Convention.
PNAA officers met to finalize the Incorporation papers, 5O1C3, the proposed budget and the budget analysis.
These were also presented to the General Assembly and Progress report of the PNAA Foundation was accepted.
The first strategic planning ]meeting of the officers of the PNAA Foundation occurs on September 26, 2002
in Las Vegas, Nevada. The meeting was held in coincidence with the UST Alumni Association Reunion. The meeting
was concentrated and productive and includes the review of the bylaws, the responsibilities of Trustees as well
as plans for Fundraising projects to meet the goal of $5,000.00 by June 2003. The Foundation Board also discussed
"Purita Asperilla Scholarship" for the amount of $1,000.00. Another project of the Foundation is continuing education.
It is in conjunction with this project, I would like to see corporations sponsor educational programs to reduce registration fees.
While we are officially incorporated, our 501© 3 application is a work in progress. Martha Cabarios opened an account for
the Foundation and PNAA treasurer Sofie Bole transferred the $5,000.00. I envision that our Foundation Treasury will have $10,000.00 by June 2003.
The PNAA Foundation became incorporated on October 17, 2002 in Trenton, New Jersey as a nonprofit organization
that will operate as a supportive arm of the PNAA.
In closing, historically, I would say, the PNAA Foundation was conceived in
Indianapolis, born in Chicago, a Newborn in Philadelphia, and now growing up as a
toddler. As such I agree with Dr. Couper, the Foundation "needs pampering in order to grow strong and healthy."
I take this opportunity to thank my officers, and the 2000-2002 PNAA executive officers
and all PNAA members for your support in this venture. I am happy and proud to have a very
dynamic group working with me willing and ready to do "fund raising" activities to meet the vision and
mission of the PNAA and the PNAAF. I look forward to working hand in hand with the 2002-2004 PNAA executive
officers. The more hands we have, the more weight we can carry. The more hands can clap together, the more noise we can make.
The more we can be heard, the more we can accomplish. Unity is POWER.
