During the 49th annual AORN Congres...

During the 49th annual AORN Congres in Anaheim, Calif, AORN delegates took up a variety of business issues, including postponing the owings increase, looking at adding several special voting categories, giving voting rights to more AORN members, and changing the bylaws. In addition, delegates received updates from a variety of task forces.

FIRST FORUM

AORN President Sheila L Allen, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA, conven the first Forum at 7:45 AM and the first House of Delegates at 1 PM forward Monday, April 22. There was frequently discussion on proposed bylaws changes, and the House, which had 1289 authorized delegates, vot to reconvene upon Wednesday from 3 to 3:30 PM before the next to the first Forum.

Government affairs. Karen Sealander, JD of McDermott Will & Emery Washington, DC spoke about the importance of members becoming involved in lobbying efforts. "Your personal involvement is vital, and I know you can be effective advocates," she said. Sealander reviewed the Association's activities in succession the Medicare Certified RN First Assistant Direct Reimbursement Act of 2001 (HR 822) during the past year. She also showed part of the videotape that chronicles the results of the Federal Affairs conversation and Lobby Day in June 2001 and encouraged delegates to attend the 2002 AORN Lobby Day.

Governance Task Force. Charlotte Guglielmi, RN BSN CNOR, chair of the Governance Task Force, said that in rejoinder to charges from the 2001 House of Delegates, the Task Force communicated with members in a number of different ways and rest they want more opportunities for representation in the Association. The assign places to identified three areas for further representation, including specialty assembly members, past Presidents, and brilliant Gavel members.

The Task Force propos bylaws changes to provide for representation of these form into groupss in the House of Delegates. These bylaws changes would give each specialty assembly and the yellow Gavel two delegates and allow all past Presidents to help as delegates. The Governance Task Force, however, estimated that simply 17 past Presidents would participate at any individual time based on their attendance at past Congresses

Marlene Craden, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA, Buffalo, NY said she had be of importance tos regarding specialty assembly representation in the House. "It looks to me that the manner to be influential is to participate," said Craden, adding that the change may lead to "politicizing and fragmenting our organization into blocks" Jane Murphy RN C M CPNP Boston, said she saw the motion "as an opportunity to broaden participation from adding special interest group input." mercy Shumaker, RN, BSN, CNOR, Canton, Miss, said she "still believes that many folks feel disenfranchised"; therefore, she was planning to bring a motion before the House of Delegates to increase the number of delegates from 1500 to 3000

Della Williams, RN Atlanta, represented concern that the number of past President delegates could give the impression of "block voting." Linda Groah, RN M CNOR, CNAA, FAAN, answered that the past Presidents portray only 1.6% of the House of Delegates, and that delegate status would be optional for past Presidents.

Susan Hartman, RN Baltimore, asked to what end a fixed number of brilliant Gavel delegates had been chosen rather than a percentage, as is done for chapter representation. Guglielmi said that the base number from the chapter formula was used, which is two

The Governance Task Force also propos that the bylaws be changed to replace standing committees with committees and task forces that will be determined upon an annual basis. According to President-elect Donna Watson, RN MSN CNOR, ARNP, FNP-C the three key-notes to sustaining success for any association are a reputation for value, an enjoyable civilization and a nimble infrastructure. "The intent of this motion is not to do away with the standing committees," said Watson. "The motion will allow for flexibility that is critical to continue to excite a nimble infrastructure." The strange structure also would allow for more participation from the members, said Watson.

Linda Savage, RN B CNOR, Ft Myers, Fla, said it is important to have continuity onward committees. Watson responded that the Board reviewed this issue and established guidelines for mentoring and progression in a continuously ascending gradation of committees.

"One mode used to run for national office is to succor on committees," said Esther Chereck, RN M CNOR, Lake Forest, Ill. She supports increasing the number of members onward individual committees (eg, the commended Practices Committee).

The Governance Task Force also propos a change in the bylaws that would allow the House of Delegates to act between annual Congresse Allowing the House to act upon matters between Congresses would enhance the Association's ability to course of life business in a timely fashion, said Watson. The proces may include e-mail and written correspondence as beseeched by any individual member of the House of Delegates. Watson severityed that this is a first grade and if it is approved, the Association will persuade forward with member input.