TEXAS NURSING PROFILE

Belinda Richey

Long-time TNA Director of Membership Services

Thank You for Devoting 46 Years to TNA!

A Q&A with Belinda Richey

TNA recently bade a fond farewell to long-time Director of Membership Services Belinda Richey.

Belinda retired in June, after over 46 years with the association.

Her work, wit, and wisdom will be dearly missed by all of us at TNA!

Texas Nursing: Describe your first week on the job.

Richey: The first thing I did was read a pamphlet entitled “Who is ANA” which my 20-year-old brain, not being familiar with associations, read as “Who is Anna.” I had to go back and read the opening a couple of times before I realized my error.

Getting used to a myriad of acronyms was quite a feat! TNA, BON, TMA, NPA, RN, ADN, BSN and on and on and on….it is a language unto itself. I’m quite fluent now.

The next memorable moment: my first staff meal at The Hoffbrau on 6th Street. This is not related to the chain restaurant you see now, but an Austin staple open for 90 years now. A very small, one room restaurant with 5-7 card tables with folding chairs, whose menu consist of one salad, fried potato wedges and your choice of three steaks–ribeye, porterhouse or T-bone. I learned quickly that they were insulted if you asked for a menu!

We stood in line for 45 minutes to get in, ate as quickly as we could as there were many hungry people still in line, and despite the long wait, the lack of ambiance, and the hurried meal, it was the best steak I had ever eaten. I have been back many times over the years.

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Texas Nursing: Tell us about your transition to membership services director. What were some things you learned along the way?

Richey: I worked as the membership secretary for many years under J.L. Brown, TNA’s associate director. J.L. left in 1994 and I took over meeting management full-time. I worked with the six different communications directors—some of whose responsibilities included membership management and some that didn’t. During my employment, I served as interim editor of Texas Nursing Magazine twice, as well as covered the communications department during times we did not have a director.

I have been the receptionist, and I filled the accounting assistant position for many years while still working with members, doing bank reconciliations with no computer, preparing financial statements for the board, and typing all of the checks needed to pay our bills. I also covered as the assistant to the executive director when the position was open, and any other job that needed to be done—short of being a nurse or an attorney.

I don’t remember when my title changed to membership coordinator, but by the time it did our staff was stable and I could focus on membership recruitment, retention, the Leadership Succession Committee, and the House of Delegates. At some point I was named the Member Services Director and added on other responsibilities, including the Awards Committee, Bylaws Committee, member benefits management, and transitioning the House of Delegates to an annual meeting.

From accounting to membership, Belinda knew TNA inside and out.

"I will miss the dedicated nurses who work tirelessly for their profession."

Texas Nursing: What is something about yourself that would surprise our members?

Richey: I’m not sure I have any surprises left as I’m an open book—as my husband used to say, “She’s fallen and she’s still talking!” I grew up in Amarillo with very young parents who showed me how hard work, caring for others, and being dependable will take you anywhere. I moved to San Marcos in 1978 on a Wednesday, had three interviews on Thursday and Friday—all in the Austin area—got two offers, started working at TNA the next Wednesday, and I’ve never looked back.

Texas Nursing: Share with us an unforgettable memory about your time at TNA.

Richey: During the 1980 TNA convention and first House of Delegates, we held a Blue-Ribbon Committee on the emerging nursing shortage. We had nearly 300 nurse leaders, hospital leaders and business leaders present along with court reporters and media. I had never been a part of anything like that.

I believe it was in 1997 that the concept of compact licensure was being floated around. I had the opportunity of going to the American Nurses Association House of Delegates with our executive director and legal counsel and sat in the state constituent meetings, where I was the official recorder of all of discussions surrounding the issue. It was a tremendous experience to see how this played out among the various states and witness the negotiations—heated, cordial and stealthy—and to follow the issue through its passage in the Texas Legislature in 1999 to where it is today.

Texas Nursing: What will you miss the most about TNA?

Richey: I will miss the people.

  • The dedicated nurses who work tirelessly for their profession. Witnessing their passion and creativity paving the way for future generations is inspiring. They are all leaders.
  • My co-workers who serve our members and lead from behind to ensure that the vision is realized and operationalized in a way that all nurses benefit from the wisdom of our members. They are all inspirational.
  • I will also miss members and co-workers who have provided strength, support and happiness to me for more than 46 years. You are all friends. TN