My name is Nancy Thompson, and I am a candidate for re-election to the Sigma Governance Committee for a four-year term. I am presently serving a two-year term on the Governance Committee.
Oversight of bylaws, chapter development and eligibility issues are all within the purview of the Governance Committee’s function. During the current Biennium the Governance Committee was also charged with reviewing and updating the process and procedures for chapter elections in response to requests from chapters and the Sigma Leadership Succession Committee. I served on the ad hoc committee which did this work over the last year-plus. Earlier in 2025 the updated detailed process was posted on the Circle.
I was a member of Sigma’s Charter Review Task Force (CRTF) for six years prior to serving on the Governance Committee. The CRTF is charged with the initial evaluation of all applications for membership in Sigma. Upon completion of their review, the CRTF forwards the applications to the Governance Committee for their review and approval.
Some information about my background: I am on faculty at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to my work in nursing education, I spent many years in nursing management and then in executive nursing leadership positions.
I was inducted into Sigma and Beta Zeta at-Large Chapter during my senior year in college. Sigma has been my professional organization of choice throughout my nursing career. I have held many offices within Beta Zeta at-Large Chapter including three terms as President, chairperson of the bylaws committee and have been a delegate for several Biennial Conventions.
At the regional level I served as the chairperson of the 2021 Sigma Region 15 Annual Nursing Symposium and continue to serve on the Region 15 strategic planning committee.
At the international level, I was appointed by President Ken Dion to serve on the Sigma Marketplace Board of Directors for the 2021-2023 biennium and was elected board chairperson. I was elected as a member of the Sigma Governance Committee for the 2023-2025 biennium.
Since August of 2022, I have been part of a small collaboration group between Beta Zeta Chapter in the U.S. and Phi Mu Chapter in the UK. We have sponsored programs with nursing students from both countries which have been very successful. We have also participated in programs and events in each other’s chapters. Our collaboration was recently featured on Sigma’s Nursing Centered. We hope to see this endeavor embraced by other Sigma chapters in the future.
Sigma must understand, appreciate and represent the different cultures in chapters within and outside the United States. To this end Sigma will represent the nursing profession’s diversity and capability to shape the world for the benefit of humankind. Sigma’s Governance Committee plays a vital role in ensuring this.
It would be my honor to continue to serve as a member of Sigma’s Governance Committee. I will remain committed to excellence in fulfilling the role as a member of the Governance Committee.
Thank you.