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On Monday and Tuesday of the conven- tion, the House of Delegates met to discuss and debate bylaws amendments, resolu- tions, and main motions. Delegates adopted their 2023 Legislative Platform and reestab- lished the Assembly of Bargaining Unit Leaders (ABUL) to enhance networking and coordination across the MNA membership. Bylaws amendments that were adopted included setting the expectation for multiple levels of elected and appointed member leaders to take anti-racism training after taking office, as well as the transition of the Racial Diversity Com- mittee to a Commission on Racial Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Oppression. Nurses also voted to create a new standing com- mittee on Mental Health. Additional highlights of the convention included the final con- vention address by MNA President Mary C. Turner, RN. After serving for eight years as president, Turner's term has come to an end and a new president and additional leaders will be elected this fall. In her speech, she shared stories of her time as president, including traveling across the Midwest to visit facilities and talk with nurses about issues they face day to day, walking picket and strike lines, working on legislation to protect the nursing profession and patients, and so much more. Earlier this year, Turner was also appointed to the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents, and she looks forward to continuing that work as her term as MNA president ends. As her speech con- cluded, members gave her a well-deserved standing ovation. Nurses were also excited to welcome the keynote speaker for this year's convention: TikTok sensation and nurse advocate, Nurse Erica. Nurse Erica shared her own experiences as a nurse at the bed- side, talked about stories she had heard from nurses across the nation, and encouraged nurses to continue advocating for patients and the nursing profession. She was and continues to be an inspira- tion to nurses everywhere. Looking forward, MNA nurses continue to advocate for safe patient care and the nursing profession. With a new legislative plat- form, and many new bylaws amendments and resolutions, MNA nurses are creating change and continuing to build a strong union. Lauren Bloomquist is internal communications specialist for the Minnesota Nurses Association. In early October, nurses from across Minnesota and the greater region made their way to Roches- ter, Minn., for the 2023 annual Minnesota Nurses Association convention. The convention occurred next door to the Mayo Clinic, only months after executives used their power and influence over Minne- sota's elected leaders to kill the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act, a bill to address the crisis of nurse retention and patient safety in our hospitals. Nurses gathered from Oct. 7 to Oct. 10 to continue addressing corporate health care's power at the Capitol and other serious issues affecting nurses across the MNA membership. During the event, nurses honored scholarship and MNA award recipients at a banquet on Sunday evening. The Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation (MNAF) awarded $98,000 in scholarships this year to MNA members seeking additional education, to dependents and grandchildren of MNA members, and to a member of another health care union studying to become a registered nurse. For the MNA awards, nurses honored Reps. Robert Bierman and Sandra Feist with the Public Official Award and Sen. Erin Murphy, RN, with the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Social Justice Award. The following MNA members were also honored: John Welsh, RN, Sarah Tarleton Colvin Political Activist Award Karen Hakeneis, RN, Mentorship in Nursing Award Heather Caven, RN, Ruth L. Haas Excellence in Practice Award Dick Hebrink, RN, Audrey Logsdon/Geraldine Wedel Award Lori Kirchner, RN, Nurse Educator Award Umu George, RN, Distinguished Service Award Doreen McIntyre, RN, MNA President's Award Minnesota nurses gather for annual convention. BY L A U R E N B L O O M Q U I S T Meeting of the Minds 26 N A T I O N A L N U R S E W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G O C T O B E R | N O V E M B E R | D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3