International Society of Nurses in Genetics

Bylaws / Awards Committee

The By-laws and Awards Committees are chaired by the Past President. The By-laws committee considers and recommends any changes or amendments in either the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws.

The Awards Committee solicits and reviews nominations from the membership for the Founder Awards prior to each annual meeting. The committee will select the award recipients by consensus. Recipients will receive the awards at the annual meeting. Members include a past award recipient and the chairperson or a representative of the Membership Committee.

Communications Committees

Co-Chairs: Erika Monteiro Santos and Lynnette Howington

Web Development Co-Chairs: Julia Eggert and Lynnette Howington

Newsletter Chair: Erika Monteiro Santos

The role of the Communications Committee is to disseminate information to the membership on all aspects of the organization and other relevant issues by:

Producing a regular newsletter for members
Updating, maintaining and editing information posted on the ISONG web site.
Encouraging the Board and other committees to share information for the newsletter or web site
Providing information on topics or issues that may have an impact on members in the newsletter or on the web site
Presenting a world perspective news or insights on issues for nurses in genetics worldwide
Communicating with members in ways that are appropriate, as directed by the Board.

Education Committee

Co-Chairs: Sheila Alexander and Cathy Read

The Education committee promotes the education goals of the Society, and assembles and maintains education resources for both the Society and other groups.

Ethical Issues and Public Policy Committee

Co-Chairs: Lynn Rew and Marie Twal

The Ethical Issues and Public Policy Committee evaluates scientific and political changes that require a response by the Society. Members recommend and establish criteria (with approval by the Board of Directors) for such evaluation that reflects the Vision, Mission, and goals of the Society.

At the request of the ISONG Board of Directors members of the EPP committee prepare position statements on agreed topics of high relevance for nurses in genetics and genomics. The committee is also responsible for the regular revision of position statements to ensure that each statement remains appropriate to current needs and circumstances.

The EPP has been closely monitoring the work of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society (SACGHS), U.S. System of Oversight of Genetic Testing. A Response to the Charge of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the final report of the SACGHS, is available electronically at: http://www4.od.nih.gov/oba/sacghs/reports/SACGHS_oversight_report.pdf

The SACGHS oversight report provides a comprehensive map of the U.S. oversight system for genetic testing, identifies components of the system that need to be strengthened, urges enhanced interagency coordination of activities associated with the oversight of genetic testing, and recommends steps that could be taken by the public and private sectors to help assure public health and safety. Although challenging, the Committee believes that implementation of its recommendations supports the realization of personalized medicine and will help HHS fulfill its mission to improve the well-being of Americans. The SACGHS oversight report reflects broad input from many individuals and organizations. The Committee is grateful to everyone who shared their knowledge and perspectives throughout the report's development. Public and expert input greatly enhanced our understanding of the issues and significantly helped shape the development of the final report and recommendations.

Global Membership Committee

Co-Chairs: Milena Floria-Santos and Pei-Ying Chuang

The role of the Global Membership committee is to address issues related to increasing membership, disseminating information about members as appropriate and enhancing the experience of members by:

Publicizing the organization to attract new members
Facilitating potential members in joining the organization
Acting to honor and disseminate information about the achievements of members
Addressing issues related to non-renewal of membership to maximize retention of members
Operating the ISONG Buddy Program for members

Nominating Committee

Chair: Debra Schutte

The primary role of this committee is to encourage ISONG members to become interested in running for ISONG leadership positions. Networking with ISONG friends and colleagues that would be valuable representing ISONG as an officer is a key responsibility of committee members. Once persons are willing to run for office, the Chair puts together the nominations list, candidate biographies, and prepares the ballot for on-line voting. Committee members are key to thinking of creative ways to get people interested, to inform them of the responsibilities of the officers, and communicate with them when questions come up. Being part of the nominating committee is an important way to become involved, learn more about ISONG, and make a difference. The goals of this committee are to:

Solicit candidates for board positions.
Develop content about leadership positions to post on the ISONG web site.
Develop information and candidate application packages to mail out to interested persons.

Professional Practice Committee

Co-Chairs:

The purpose of this committee is to address issues related to clinical genetics/genomics nursing practice that are relevant to ISONG membership by:

Creating and updating information describing genetics/genomics nursing practice (such as the What is a genetics nurse? Brochure) posted on the ISONG web site
Participating in the development, interpretation, evaluation, and dissemination of Genetics and Genomics Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice.
Supporting and helping to facilitate special interest groups within ISONG
Collaborating with the ISONG President, Board, and other ISONG committees in defining genetics and genomics nursing practice

Research Committee

Chair: Gia Mudd

The research committee of ISONG fosters research activities in nursing, genetics, and related areas to enhance professional and personal development of members, consistent with the vision, mission and goals of the society. Our goal is to facilitate the research activities of ISONG members which include:

Raising awareness of the role of research within ISONG's core business
Alerting members to research opportunities (funding, collaboration among members)
Administering the ISONG annual grant award through an equitable and efficient process. Visit Research Grants
Disseminating news of research to key stakeholders (members, patients, other professional, funders).