This webinar will review the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed for individuals interested in serving on a Board of Directors for a professional organization. Governance models, roles and responsibilities and election processes will be described. We hope this webinar will generate enthusiasm for members interested in governance leadership that promotes the growth of the forensic nursing specialty. 

Objectives:

• Describe a model of governance for a non-profit organization.
• Critique essential competencies needed to serve as an effective & engaging board member.
• Discuss the roles & responsibilities of an elected board member.
• Assess personal abilities to actively participate in board governance.
• Review the ethical nomination process & election schedule for the Academy of Forensic Nursing.

PRESENTER(S) 

Valerie Sievers MSN, RN, CNS, AFN-C, IVSE-C, DF-AFN is a Forensic Clinical Nurse Specialist with more than 40 years of health care experience as a registered nurse, advanced practice nurse, educator, and consultant with extensive practice experience in emergency and critical care nursing, academia, and forensic clinical practice. As a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Val provides advanced education regarding the care & treatment of patients affected by interpersonal violence, abuse, and trauma. She is licensed as an advanced practice nurse, clinical nurse specialist, and board certified as an Advanced Forensic Nurse (AFN-C). Val is a founding board member & current board member of the Academy of Forensic Nursing, and owner of Med Law Consultants LLC, a forensic healthcare consulting practice providing evidence-based education, program consultation, policy development, peer review, and evaluation of criminal and civil cases.

Natalie Calow MSN, RN, CEN, AFN-C is the forensic program coordinator for the forensic team at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Indiana University and her master’s degree in nursing hospital leadership from University of Indianapolis. Natalie has been practicing as a forensic nurse for 8 years and has been an Emergency Department Nurse for the past 21 years. Natalie is on the Interprofessional Collaboration Committee with Academy of Forensic Nursing and has co-written the Trauma Informed Care and the Non-Fatal Strangulation position statement. She currently serves on the AFN Board of Directors and is the chair of the AFN membership committee. She is also active in Emergency Nurses Association for the past 21 years. Natalie has served as the ENA local chapter President, Treasurer, Forensic Committee Chair, and the ENA State Government Affairs Committee. Natalie is on the Board of Directors for the Indiana Health Advocacy Coalition which promotes the spread of Medical Legal Partnerships within hospitals.

Enduring Modules - This module originated on 8/27/2025 and will remain available for CE credit through 9/30/2027

Criteria for Successful Completion:

Live attendees must join the zoom link via the LMS site, be logged in for a minimum of 90% of the session, and successfully complete the attestation and evaluation. Upon completion, a CE certificate for 1.25 contact hours will be awarded. 

Recordings of the live session will be made available within one week of the live date. 

Asynchronous attendees must utilize the LMS to obtain resource information (if available), view 100% of recording(s), complete all modules, and successfully complete the attestation and evaluation. Upon completion, a CE certificate for 1.25 contact hours will be awarded.

No relevant financial relationships exist for any individuals in a position to control content of this educational activity.

NOTE:

The Academy of Forensic Nursing is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.