During the 2009 Biennial Convention House of Delegates, delegates supported a resolution calling for the board of directors to investigate and establish global regions for Sigma. As a result, Sigma adopted a modified version of the United Nations global regional structure in the 2011-2013 biennium, which included Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and Oceania. In 2014, Sigma reevaluated and restructured to include the Middle East as a separate region.
Over the years, Sigma has worked to determine the most effective ways to be engaged with each individual region. Sigma began by establishing a pilot regional satellite office in Africa in 2012; the pilot ended June 2015.
Sigma staff were subsequently charged with providing structural options for expanding our regional presence. After much research, and considering recommendations from global association and legal experts, Sigma staff developed the Global Regional Council as an additional model for consideration. After review and discussion, the Sigma Board of Directors approved the creation of Global Regional Councils as the vehicle through which the organization will establish a global regional presence.
In late 2017, Sigma announced the creation and establishment of Global Regional Councils. These councils are to serve as regional champions for Sigma. Members of the Global Regional Councils volunteer their professional expertise, diverse knowledge of nursing perspectives and philanthropic opportunities, connections to local, regional or international resources, colleagues or peers, and other advice and assistance to achieve the mission of Sigma. The Global Regional Councils will benefit chapters by providing the opportunity for:
- Greater Sigma visibility within the region to make recruitment easier
- Support of in-region programs that increase member engagement and increase retention
- Increased engagement of healthcare leaders for broader collaborative chapter opportunities
See more of: Symposia: Leadership Sessions