Other Titles
Recognition, Celebration and Collaboration: Strategies for Enhancing Member Engagement in Sigma [Symposium Title]
Other Titles
Symposium Presentation
Abstract
Purpose: Engagement is the foundation for cultivating vibrant and sustainable professional organizations, and Sigma exemplifies this commitment through its robust focus on member involvement. Celebrating organizational events is a strategic mechanism to enhance connections, commemorate achievements, and solidify the shared values that unify members. (Eddy et al., 2021; Sweeney & Wiseman, 2023). Celebratory environments are consistently linked to heightened satisfaction and commitment, driving long-term organizational success (George & Massey, 2020; Reid, 2024). This presentation delves into the transformative impact of planned celebrations and intentional recognition, formal or informal, in fostering member engagement by nurturing a sense of belonging, elevating morale, and fortifying organizational culture (Blake, 2023; Hudson, 2024).
Methods: Anchored in evidence-based practices and member input, Sigma's North Atlantic Region 7 has implemented strategies to boost participation and inspire collaboration. Region 7 strategically utilized celebration to engage members through member spotlights and awards and directly supports the 2023-2025 Presidential Call to Action to help others experience and enjoy the Sigma community and Sigma's broader vision to engage and empower its members, promote leadership development, and advance nursing excellence globally.
Results: The monthly member spotlight showcases the diversity and contributions of Sigma members, fostering inclusivity and celebrates individuals who may not always be in the limelight but make significant contributions to nursing practice, research, or leadership. Additionally, Region 7 honors members' achievements through an awards and recognition. The Regional team initiated an engagement challenge. This challenge encouraged chapter leaders to develop strategic plans and participate in Sigma events. Chapter successfully meeting the requirements earn the 2025 North Atlantic Region 7 Chapter Leadership Award. Region 7 will celebrate award recipients at Sigma's biennial regional meeting in 2025.
Conclusion: In essence, Region 7's celebration-based member engagement strategy embodies the values of recognition, inclusivity, and community-building. These celebratory initiatives are key to creating connection, recognition, and motivation. By celebrating contributions and fostering a sense of belonging, Region 7 helps members respond to the Presidential call to action and feel connected to the STTI mission.
Notes
References:
Blake, N. (2023). Why meaningful recognition and gratitude are important in addressing staffing shortages. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 34(2), 145-147.
Eddy, J. R., Kovick, L., & Caboral-Stevens, M. (2021). Meaningful recognition: A synergy between the individual and the organization. Nursing Management, 52(1), 14–21. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NUMA.0000724888.63400.f2
George, V., & Massey, L. (2020). Proactive strategy to improve staff engagement. Nurse Leader, 18(6), 532–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2020.08.008
Hudson, P. A. (2024). The membership engagement paradox: Overcoming 7 obstacles to build and maintain thriving membership communities. Luminare Press.
Reid, G. (2024). Building groups and teams for organizational success: By regularly communicating with employees and recognizing the value of each team member, you can create a more positive workplace environment. Reid's Learning Institute and Business Consultancy.
Saylor, J. L., & Graber, J. S. (2024). Influence through lifelong learning: Membership engagement advances the nursing profession, Leadership, 52.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/leadership/2016/presentations/52
Sweeney, C. D. & Wiseman, R. (2023). Retaining the best: Recognizing what meaningful recognition Is to nurses as a strategy for nurse leaders. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration 53(2), 81-87. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001248
Sigma Membership
Epsilon Alpha
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Global Leadership, Virtual Learning, Competence, Leadership, Leadership Initiatives
Recommended Citation
Casseus, Karis and Worthy, Karen, "Celebration as a Strategy for Member Engagement" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 251.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/251
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-12-11
Celebration as a Strategy for Member Engagement
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Purpose: Engagement is the foundation for cultivating vibrant and sustainable professional organizations, and Sigma exemplifies this commitment through its robust focus on member involvement. Celebrating organizational events is a strategic mechanism to enhance connections, commemorate achievements, and solidify the shared values that unify members. (Eddy et al., 2021; Sweeney & Wiseman, 2023). Celebratory environments are consistently linked to heightened satisfaction and commitment, driving long-term organizational success (George & Massey, 2020; Reid, 2024). This presentation delves into the transformative impact of planned celebrations and intentional recognition, formal or informal, in fostering member engagement by nurturing a sense of belonging, elevating morale, and fortifying organizational culture (Blake, 2023; Hudson, 2024).
Methods: Anchored in evidence-based practices and member input, Sigma's North Atlantic Region 7 has implemented strategies to boost participation and inspire collaboration. Region 7 strategically utilized celebration to engage members through member spotlights and awards and directly supports the 2023-2025 Presidential Call to Action to help others experience and enjoy the Sigma community and Sigma's broader vision to engage and empower its members, promote leadership development, and advance nursing excellence globally.
Results: The monthly member spotlight showcases the diversity and contributions of Sigma members, fostering inclusivity and celebrates individuals who may not always be in the limelight but make significant contributions to nursing practice, research, or leadership. Additionally, Region 7 honors members' achievements through an awards and recognition. The Regional team initiated an engagement challenge. This challenge encouraged chapter leaders to develop strategic plans and participate in Sigma events. Chapter successfully meeting the requirements earn the 2025 North Atlantic Region 7 Chapter Leadership Award. Region 7 will celebrate award recipients at Sigma's biennial regional meeting in 2025.
Conclusion: In essence, Region 7's celebration-based member engagement strategy embodies the values of recognition, inclusivity, and community-building. These celebratory initiatives are key to creating connection, recognition, and motivation. By celebrating contributions and fostering a sense of belonging, Region 7 helps members respond to the Presidential call to action and feel connected to the STTI mission.
Description
Overall Symposium Summary: Engaging members is key to organizational success, particularly in professional associations such as Sigma. Sigma’s North Atlantic Region 7 welcomes the 2023-2025 Presidential Call to Action by creating a strategic plan that embodies the change we wish to see in the region. This plan honors the unique perspectives of each member and employs recognition, celebration, and collaboration as key strategies for engaging members within Sigma’s Region 7.
Note: The attached slide deck is a combined symposium presentation containing the slides of all featured symposium speakers.
To locate the other presentations in this symposium, search the repository by the Symposium Title shown in the Other Title field of this item record.