The Prez Says by Sheri Kulhanek, CLSA State President
Turn-Around-Times March 2004

As the New Year begins, many of us contemplate our goals and plans for the coming months. We think about our personal as well as our professional lives with renewed interest. Whether we have been laboratory professionals for a short while or for many years, we look forward to new opportunities to learn and grow. Through ASCLS and our state organization, CLSA, we are offered such opportunities.

Our membership allows us to connect with other lab professionals who give us support, insight, strategies and solutions. They help us regain our enthusiasm and motivation. We enjoy excellent continuing education directly from ASCLS through their online courses, educational materials and national meetings. We also have our local state conference where we gain knowledge, ideas and skills.  Through our membership we also have access and valuable representation to those in government who make decisions that directly influence the future of our profession. The benefits of ASCLS membership are numerous. Our dues are an investment in an organization in which every member has a voice.

So as this year begins, we should all think about sharing our experiences and knowledge of ASCLS with one person who is not already a member.  While we all realize the importance of maintaining our current members, there are many in our profession who are not members of any professional organization.   Many do not join because they have not been invited to do so, or explained the real benefit of such membership.  So it is up to each one of us to act as ambassadors for our profession and our organization to those who may be potential members.

 As the healthcare environment continues to evolve almost daily, it becomes more important to be joined together with a single directions, voice and vision. ASCLS continues to provides us with the guidance and assistance needed for our success, but it is up to us to act.  As vital members of the healthcare team, together we can continue to make a positive impact on our profession.