HQ Updates

Cal-HOSA Blast – August 2010 #2

It’s only 110 here in good old Rancho Cucamonga today.  Thank goodness for air conditioning!!! Hope you all had a nice restful summer and have come back energized.

Our new Headquarters administrative assistant is Linda Gellis.  She has been working since the last of July.  If you call – please give her a warm welcome.  Another new person  working with us on some special projects is Ann Bach. 

BLAST reminders

• For those who had a Cal-HOSA chapter last year (2009/10) - Don’t forget to complete your chapter stipend report and submit it to Cal-HOSA headquarters by September 15th to receive your chapter money!!  The stipends will be sent to the chapter advisor. There is a report form attached just in case you misplaced the one sent earlier.

• Also the information and registration flyer for Cal-HOSA 101 for new and potential advisor who want to learn about HOSA chapter development can be found here.  Two sessions are being offered – 1 in September and the other in October.  Remember “first come, first serve”.

• Watch the web site (www.cal-hosa.org).  The newly revised Advisor’s Handbook has been sent to our “techies” to be put on the site.  Along with it, the 2010/11 Calendar at a Glance, contact lists, and RLC flyer.  It should be up and running in a day or so!

• We are looking forward to holding the Regional Leadership Conferences (RLC) in 4 regions again this year.  Leadership development and some new working documents should be ready for distribution.

• The national web site is now ready for the new year membership.

Cal-HOSA Blast – August 2010 #1

Greetings all

Welcome back to school and a new California HOSA year.  We are anxious to start a new year and looking forward to new and exciting activities.  This is the first “BLAST” of information for the 2010/11 year.  BLASTS are sent to all on the headquarters advisors distribution list.  It is important to read and review the material in order to be informed about upcoming activities and updates.

• Cal-HOSA 101 (formerly Professional Development Institute – PDI) for those new and potential advisors who want/need information regarding starting a new chapter or new to maintaining an existing chapter.   There are two sessions being offered – one in September and one in October with national HOSA staff as the presenters. Click here for the flyer and click here for the registration form.  Sessions have limited enrollment so if you are interested in attending one of these, you must send in your registration soon!

• Also attached is the new Prospectus package opportunities.  This can be used for those wishing to purchase chapter affiliations or conference registration packages using grant funding.

• FYI - In reading one of the recent NurseWeek magazines, there was an article regarding some substantial nursing scholarships that will be available for the 2011/12 school year.  The applications are available of the NSNA website at www.nsna.org.

• Watch for the new link on the Cal-HOSA web site regarding middle school chapters. For those of you who wish to establish or connect with a middle school HOSA chapter, there is a great deal of information on the Cal-HOSA web site (www.cal-hosa.org).  The California acronym for the middle school chapters is “JUMP”.  This stands for Junior and Upcoming Medical Professionals.   The Middle School Task Force committee researched and gathered various sample lesson plans and activities to help with this membership category. 

• The national membership site is back up and ready for your membership affiliations at any time.

• The 2010/11 Advisor’s Handbook should also be available by the end of the month on the web site.  It will be available by sections or by the entire document for download.  It contains all of the newest information.  BE SURE AND REVIEW THE MATERIAL TO BE CURRENT AND UP-TO-DATE WITH WHAT IS GOING ON.

• FYI The 2010/11 California theme is “Cal-HOSA: Shakin’ Up Healthcare”

Cal-HOSA BLAST – July 2010

Here is your July BLAST.  I did a previous one (hope you didn’t get it!) and I hit the wrong button before I was through and it went to my “out box”.  It is still there so am redoing.

1. The National Leadership Conference (NLC) winner’s list is on the Web site (www.cal-hosa.org) now. We were all hot and sweaty in the Florida weather but the students did well.  The HOSA Bowl Courtesy Corp. students were extremely professional and very helpful.  The advisors who assisted in the event were excellent and very professional as well!!

2. This is an official public announcement of the upcoming Board of Director meeting on Monday July 19, 2010 at the Homewood Suites in Rancho Cucamonga from 3 – 4:30 PM.  Should you wish to observe this meeting, please call headquarters for a reservation.

3. There are 23 Cal-HOSA advisors who have registered for the Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) in Sacramento August 2-4, 2010.  Should you wish to attend, there are a few spots left for Cal-HOSA.  The conference is free and will have information regarding CTSOs and some specifics for Cal-HOSA.  E-mail Angela Mayfield (amayfieldcurriculum@gmail.com) for a registration form.

Cal-HOSA BLAST – June 2010: CTSO Enrichment Conference

Greetings All

Good news!  The Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) are holding their second annual Enrichment Conference August 2 – 4, 2010 in Sacramento.  This is a no-cost informational conference for all California CTSO advisors/potential advisors.  Space is limited to a first come first serve basis (only 30 from each CTSO) so be sure and submit your registration early.

California HOSA will charge those who register and do not show up at the conference a $100 processing fee. Rooms, meals and meeting room space is based on registrations.

Remember to:

• Read all information in the conference registration document and agenda
• Submit registration form directly to Angela Mayfield (see registration form)
• Send a copy of your registration form to the Cal-HOSA Headquarters via e-mail.
• Send a $100 check should you want a single room
• Mark Cal-HOSA as your organization

We look forward to seeing you at the conference.  As you can see from the agenda there will be several times that we (Cal-HOSA) will participate as a group.  Should you wish to have any specific areas discussed during “our” time, please notify the Cal-HOSA Headquarters prior to the conference.

Looking forward to seeing you in Sacramento in August!!

NLC BLAST – June 2010 #1

Greetings all

Well, we’re getting down to the wire for preparations for the NLC in Orlando.  This BLAST serves as a reminder and informational venue.

1. Click here for the NLC schedule and assignment list.  Please review and be ready to serve California HOSA.  Should you have any questions, contact Cal-HOSA headquarters for clarification before going to the NLC.  This will make it so much easier!

2. Don’t forget the mandatory California registration meeting at 9 am on Wednesday June 23rd.  This is the only place your registration will be available.

3. Read the dress code in the NLC registration packet.  Remember HOSA attire for all official events and activities.

4. Dress code for the mandatory meeting on Wednesday morning will be California t-shirts and pants.

5. The newsletter will be ready shortly on the web site.  Watch for it!!!

6. Those who have another person chaperoning your chapter – you have the responsibility to provide them with this information as well as in-service them as to their responsibilities during the NLC. 

7. Click here for a refresher of how students can prepare for the competitive events!

Guess that’s it for now.  looking forward to seeing you at the NLC.  California ROCKS

NLC BLAST – May 2010 #2

Currently we have 258 California delegates going to the NLC in Orlando!!!  California is rocking!

Well, here we are with Perfect Practice Week.  This week was established to encourage Cal-HOSA chapters to practice their event skills to perfection for the NLC.  Years ago we brought the NLC competitors together for 1 day to discuss and practice together.  Of course that was when we had  fewer members.  So now it’s up to chapters to engage in this important activity.  Many states have 3 to 4 competitions in order to get to the national level.  California competitors only have 1 elimination before going on to the NLC - so continuing to practice is very important.

Click here for a 2010 SLC competition report.  The first part are the areas in each event that the competitors were most deficient in.  The last part shows the high, low, and average scores on the written tests.  Be sure and review the test plans on the guidelines to see how the test information was divided.

Watch for additional BLASTS.  More information is coming!!

NLC BLAST – May 2010 #1

Greetings
This is your first NLC BLAST.  As we get closer, you will be receiving more BLASTS with valuable information related to the NLC

1. There are 264 California delegates going to the 2010 NLC in Orlando, Florida June 23 – 27, 2010.  The MANDATORY California registration meeting will be held on June 23rd at 9 am.  Our meeting room has not been assigned yet – you will be notified as soon as it is received in Headquarters.

2. These e-mails will be sent to the chapter lead advisors.  Should the lead advisor not be attending the NLC, it is their responsibility to get the information to those who will be responsible for the chapter members at the NLC.  Should you wish to add someone to the distribution list, please e-mail their contact information to HQ

3. Make sure to READ ALL MATERIAL DISTRIBUTED and to FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS.  This is the biggest contributor to errors in registration and the competitive events – not reading or following directions.

4. Make sure that all those traveling by air has a certified picture ID with them to get through TSA security.  The name on the airline ticket must match the ID.

5. Several of us reviewed the 2010 SLC judges scoring sheets for all of the competitive events. As soon as they are assembled in a coherent format, the results will be sent to you. The overall deficiencies were not listening or following directions in all events.  In the skill events, using the alcohol-based hand rub for hand hygiene was a major deficiency.

6. For the competitors – prepare by studying and practicing well ahead.  Studying for a national event does not start on the plane going to Orlando!!!  Don’t forget your event guidelines.  Everyone must have theirs for event orientation again.  Check out the test plan in the guidelines for study areas!!

NLC BLAST – April 2010

Don’t forget that the NLC registration for all is Monday May 3, 2010.  You are to register all attending (students, advisors, family, guests, chaperons) on-line at the national HOSA site.  Then send ALL paperwork along with the money due – to headquarters by the May 3rd date as well.  All attending must have a medical liability and code of conduct signed and on file.

We are looking forward to a great NLC!!!  More information regarding the events will be sent later.  Will keep you up to date!!!!   Go California HOSA!!!!!

Cal-HOSA BLAST – March 2010

Greetings all

Congrats to everyone on a successful Cal-HOSA State Leadership Conference.  The top 5 winners list is can be found here for your use.  It should be on the Web site shortly.
Other items below are related to the National Leadership Conference in Orlando

Make sure you have a copy of the National Leadership Conference registration packet from national HOSA.  Should you not have one, it has been posted on their web site (www.hosa.org). 

Click here for the California NLC packet in case you didn’t receive one at the Advisor’s Breakfast on Sunday morning.

IMPORTANT - Remember that the Letters of Intent are due in headquarters on Monday April 5, 2010.  This will give us an idea if one of the first 3 winners in an event do not anticipate attending, the 4th/5th place winners may be able to compete.  So be sure to send in the forms indicating whether your student is anticipating going or not.  We will be assuming that if the forms are not returned to Headquarters that your student is not planning on attending and others will be able to take their place.  A list of those who will be completing will be distributed by Friday May 9th.

The deadline for the California NLC registration is Monday May 3, 2010.  That means that your registration is completed on-line on the national site and all paperwork copies are sent to the Cal-HOSA headquarters with the registration fees by May 3rd.  All of the registration must be verified by California HOSA and we need a couple of days to facilitate this process before sending it to national HOSA.

All advisors will be assigned a responsibility to assist with HOSA Bowl and all students will serve as Courtesy Corp. when during the event.  National HOSA will need 3 to 4 California students to serve as official Courtesy Corp. representatives so if your student would like to serve in this capacity, please indicate on your paperwork.

Other information will be coming as needed via e-mail.

Cal-HOSA BLAST – March 2010

1. A couple of important reminders to give your students for their competitive events.  One is to use their listening skills – for directions and any information that they may be receiving.  The other item is to remember handwashing – especially in the skill events.  These are the 2 places students are deficient based on past events.

2. There will be plenty of interesting workshops available.  Please encourage your students to attend.  Since so many people volunteered their valuable time to come and present, we want our delegation to be there. There will be a drawing at the end of each workshop for prizes! 

3. HOSA attire is expected at all sessions (opening, closing, competitive events, workshops, business sessions, meetings, etc).  The Cal-HOSA t-shirt and jeans are acceptable at the dance.  No bare bellies!

4. Each chapter is expected to provide at least 1 advisor in attendance at the dance on Friday night.

5. The SLC pins will be on sale for $3 each for the NLC trading experience on Sunday morning at the Advisor’s Breakfast.

6. If you have any alumni coming to the SLC, please have them contact Lois Harrrion at SLC headquarters.

7. Those receiving chapter banners (those who registered their chapter membership by 12/31/09) will receive their personalized chapter banners at the SLC registration.

8. The conference registration will take place in the lobby of the convention center. There is a mandatory advisor’s orientation at 11 am in 200 A, B, & C in the convention center.  There is a mandatory Cal-HOSA, Inc. breakfast meeting at 7 am in Ballroom B in the convention center.  This meeting is mandated by law in order to keep our non-profit status and is for those who completed their Corporate member form. 

9. Please review the 2010 competitive event changes for this year (click here) and make sure that your students have their event guidelines with them when they attend their orientation.

10. The Rancho Cucamonga Cal-HOSA Headquarters will be closed after Friday March 5th at 3 pm and remain closed until Tuesday March 16th.  We will be in transit to the Convention Center on Monday.  If there is an emergency, please leave a message at the DoubleTree Hotel.

11. Any questions, call 911 (just kidding!!!)

Cal-HOSA BLAST – February 2010

Greetings,
This is the first of the SLC BLASTS that will be going out as a reminder for the conference.  there will be several more sent – so stay aware as they contain the most recent information regarding the conference.

1. New rule from National HOSA - All students in a competitive event MUST bring their event guidelines to their orientation (get them at www.hosa.org in section B of the competitive events handbook).  Failure to comply with this can result in a five (5) point deduction in their score!!!!  This can make the difference in winning and losing

2. Hopefully you have signed photo releases for your students.  Students are advised not to participate in any photo shoots if these releases are not signed/available

3. One advisor of each chapter attending will be receiving hard copies of the Survival Guide in the “snail mail”.  Please bring them to the Advisor’s Mandatory Orientation meeting at the SLC.  It is scheduled for 11 am on Thursday March 11th in room 200 B/C in the Convention Center.

4. All SLC events (competitive events, workshops, opening session, closing ceremony, business session, etc.) will occur in the Convention Center adjacent to the DoubleTree Hotel.  Conference registration will be in the northern part of the lobby from 9 – 11 am.  Only the advisors may register their chapter. 

5. Be sure and check out all competitive events guidelines.  There are a number of changes this year.  A list of changes can be found by clicking here.

6. Judges are need for all of the events.  With the increase number of participants, there are nearly 2400 competitive events students have registered to compete in.  Approximately 210 judges are needed and there are currently 50 judges registered.  Judging registration is available on the web site in the judges button.

7. Should you wish to serve as a Section Leader for an event, please contact Dee Niedringhaus (dniedringhaus@nocrop.us) for the opportunities available.  There again, we have many multiple sections for each event.  This entails working under the direction of the Event Managers and the facilitation of an event.

Stay tuned for the next episode!!!!!!

Cal-HOSA BLAST – January 2009

For those who planning on attending the 2010 State Leadership Conference in Ontario in March. 

• Those students wishing to serve as Courtesy Corp personnel – your registration is located on the California web site (www.cal-hosa.org) and is not on the SLC conference on-line registration

• The National Service Project has just been added to the on-line SLC registration.  So, if your students are participating in that event and you have already registered, please go back and add their names to your on-line registration.  The forms are in the SLC packet.

• The National Service Project has also just been added to the on-line registration.  Please add that as well if you have already registered.  The forms to submit are included in the Section B of the national HOSA Handbook.

• Everyone is encouraged to apply for the California HOSA scholarships that are offered.  Last year there were many scholarships available that no one applied for!!!! The scholarship packet is found in the last section of the Advisor’s Handbook located on our web site.  Use only the 2009/10 applications!!!!!!!  Deadline date is February 8th.

• State officer applications are also due February 8th.  This is a great opportunity for students to serve in a leadership position and have some great experiences.

• The SLC Survival Guide is now available on the California web site.  Please make sure you download and read – it walks you through the SLC with details explaining what to do and how.  It’s full of available information especially if you are a new advisor.  Those who will be attending the SLC will receive a hard copy via mail before the conference.

The next California Board of Director’s meeting will be held on Wednesday March 10, 2010 at the DoubleTree Hotel & Convention Center at 6 pm.  Advisors are invited to attend as guests.
Those wishing to run as a Board candidate, are encouraged to complete the application located in the SLC registration packet and submit to HQ by the February 8th deadline date. 

The Health Science Capacity Grant (RFA) is available on the www.health-careers.org web site.  The deadline for applications is March 15, 2010.

Happy New Year Cal-HOSA from Your State Officers!

Happy New Year Cal-HOSA! With the new year comes lots of new ways to connect with other members in Cal-HOSA. Check out the official Cal-HOSA Facebook Page at www.Cal-HOSA.tk and connect with other members all around the state. We hope you are ready to be a part of “Heroes of Healthcare –Cal-HOSA to the Rescue”  at our annual State Leadership Conference (SLC) in Ontario, CA on March 11-14, 2010! The state officers look forward to seeing you there.  Are you interested in becoming a state officer or applying for Cal-HOSA scholarships? Check out the (SLC)  registration packet below for more information. The deadline for the conference registration and applications is February 8th.  Share tips on studying for your competitive events as well as ideas on fundraising for our 2010 SLC with others! Feel free to contact your state officers at any time at team@cal-hosa.org.

Cal-HOSA BLAST – November 2009

Item # 1
All Cal-HOSA chapters who affiliate on-line with national HOSA by December 31, 2009, will be sent a personalized 2 x 4 chapter banner after the first of the new year.  This is another one of the items that is being provided by the SB70 Media Task Force Committee.  A big THANKS to all who participated in this endeavor!

Item # 2
Don’t forget that the 2010 SLC pin designs and themes are due in the Cal-HOSA Headquarters by December 1, 2009. For more information – go the Cal-HOSA web site and find the specifics in the Advisor’s Handbook

.Item # 3 – by the 2009/10 Fall State Officer Team
As you many of you know, Cal-HOSA has initiated an official Cal-HOSA Facebook group as a means of networking and connecting chapters across the state. As of the end of October, we had approximately 350 members, which is a great start. However with over 2500 registered members last year we also know there are many more students we could be connecting with in California. So we are asking for you and your chapter officers' help in promoting the Facebook group. Please share with your members this new online tool and if possible, post this information on your HOSA bulletin boards in your classrooms.

This Facebook group page includes reminders about upcoming deadlines, Cal-HOSA website updates, medical facts, pictures from regional and state events, as well as other interactive and important information useful to our members. They can simply visit www.Cal-Hosa.tk to access the group or search for it under the "groups" section. Everyone is allowed to join and it is absolutely free. If you have any inquiries, please feel free to e-mail team@cal-hosa.org at anytime.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Cal-HOSA Alumni Pin Design – November 12, 2009

Greeting all

Attached is the alumni pin design flyer.  The alumni division of California HOSA would like to have a special alumni pin for all of the members who affiliate with both national and state HOSA (membership is free for alumni at both levels – but you must affiliate on-line with national HOSA). 

Our organization recognizes the importance of alumni members and how they can still serve HOSA using their past experiences and expertise.  A specially designed pin seemed to convey the spirit and appreciation for those members

Please encourage any alumni members you may still be in contact with to submit their designs by the designated date.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cal-HOSA headquarters.  Thanks.

Cal-HOSA Membership Update – October 26, 2009

I can’t believe it!!!   Cal-HOSA has 1524 members already!!! I’m amazed.  Laguna Creek HS (brand new chapter) has 71 members!!!  All chapters who affiliate by Dec 31 will receive a 2 x 4 personalized chapter banner – courtesy of the SB70 Task Force Committee. Congrats to all…..

Board of Directors Meeting Announcement – October 14, 2009

The next Cal-HOSA Board of Director’s meeting will take place in Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce on Friday October 16, 2009 beginning at 9:30 and ending by 3:00 pm.  Lunch will be provided.  Please RSVP your confirmation (yes/no) to Wanda by Wednesday October 13th. 

Remember that reports of recent activities will be given and we must have them in writing for the Board minutes.  Should you wish to have them duplicated and in the packets here in HQ, please get them to Wanda by Wednesday.  Otherwise you will need to bring 20 copies.

Should you have any questions, please e-mail me at headquarters@cal-hosa.com

Cal-HOSA BLAST – September 2009

Greetings – Cal-HOSA has establish a new activity to remind members and advisors of upcoming events and deadline dates.  They will be called Cal-HOSA BLASTS
This is our first one.

Cal-HOSA Membership Update – September 2009

We have 592 affiliated members already!!!!