Nebraska Yearbook - September 2020

MUTUAL INTEREST GROUPS REPORTS
Omaha Metro Area Mutual Interest Group Annual Report
Anna Mackevicius, BSN, RN, PMP
Chair, Omaha Metro Area Mutual Interest Group
The on-going effects of the COVID-19 virus has, of course, changed the events planned by Omaha Metro Area
Nurses Mutual Interest Group of the Nebraska Nurses Association this year. Our venue vendors have been very
understanding and not required the cancellation fees. While many of our events were cancelled, we were able to
change our annual 5K Run/Walk to a virtual format. Our planning group has turned its attention to 2021 and looking
for ways to re-invent contact and engagement while still meeting the goals and objectives of the event. More virtual
meetings are likely. We are planning a couple of virtual meetings just to say “Hi!” Remember, all area nurses are
welcome at any of our events.
Student Leaders Recognition
This event was cancelled for 2020. There was no financial impact of the cancellation. The planning members for this
event, led by Beth Flott Assistant Professor at Creighton University College of Nursing, have turned their attention to
the 2021 event. The date and location/format (in-person vs virtual) has not been determined.
Celebrate Nursing! and Positive Image of Nursing Breakfast
Sadly, this event was also cancelled. Our venue did not require contract cancellation fees; however the deposit
($1,000) was forfeited. However, nominations for the Positive Image of Nursing recognition awards were accepted and
encouraged. We awarded 121 Positive Image of Nursing honorees in August. Certificates and letters of nomination
for each honoree were sent to their facility for distribution. A presentation of the honorees was posted to the NNA
website. Also, each facility was sent slides for their honorees, allowing each facility to hold their own event. A
decision about the 2021 event is pending. We are not under contract with a venue at this time. The MIG will carry
the tradition forward – it might look a bit different.
Planning members: Kim Houtwed and Brodi Willard
Helping hands: Terry Anderson and Alice Kindschuh
Nurses Political Reception
The restrictions in place for a large gathering did not support the format envisioned for the Legislative Reception; so
plans did not move forward. Two members of our planning group, Alice Kindschuh, DNP, APRN-CNS, GCNS-BC and
Echo Kohler, DNP, RN, developed a great article with a brief list of questions for nurses to ask any candidate in this
year’s election. Please see the article in the August 2020 issue of the Nebraska Nurse. The University of Nebraska –
Omaha Thompson Alumni Center allowed us to apply our deposit to our next event and no further fees were owed.
As a result, the next Nurses Political Reception will be held on August 23, 2022 at the Thompson Alumni Center.
Planning members: Anna Mackevicius and Susie Ward
Omaha Metro Area Nurses MIG Fun Run/Walk
The annual Omaha Metro Area Nurses MIG Fun Run/Walk was held on September 12. The Fun Run/Walk was
updated to a virtual format. Registration cost was $5 for adults (11 and up) and free for children 10 and younger.
Participants could walk or leisurely jog, or competitively run by yourself, as well as choose the route. Look for an
update in the November issue of the Nebraska Nurse.
32 | NNA Annual Meeting