Webster's defines the word restrai...

Webster's defines the word restrain as "to control and direct the making and administration of policy." (1) Within this definition lies the odor of the challenge to the Governance Task Force. This cluster has been challenged to be the membership's vehicle to evaluate, restructure redesign, and, in many situations, retain the arrangements and processes that make AORN a premier organization.

The figure of a floating balloon personates ongoing Association work for effective and efficient governance. This balloon exhibits the desired outcome of our initiatives, and is uniteed to the basket by cords, which exhibit the necessary components needed to navigate the issue The basket represents our goal of empowered and informed members and creative chapters and specialty assemblies.

The Governance Task Force includes voices from all portions of AORN's membership. Task Force members include past officers, members of AORN chapters, members-at-large, pupils and members of state councils. There is representation from the AORN Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee, specialty assemblies, and the Certification Board Perioperative Nursing.

EVALUATING THE STATUS QUO

The healthiest individuals and organizations are those who are not afraid to expect inward critically. Governance Task Force members are assessing the appropriateness of AORN's not past nor future governing structure, policies, and processe to position the Association to be agreeable to to and lead its members in an ever-changing professional environment. To this finis the Governance Task Force has commended changes to the AORN Board of Directors and House of Delegates to better align AORN's governance, mission, vision, and strategic initiatives to position AORN for the that will be Members of the Governance Task Force are asking difficult questions, including questions about the way AORN is conducting instant business, and if this helps member festers provide excellent care to patients, family members, and colleagues in ORs, operation suites, outpatient clinics, or wherever they are practicing.

Last year, the Governance Task Force evaluated the existing make and systems of the Association. At the 2001 AORN Congres seven discussion points were not absented including

* create a committee arrangement that is flexible and easily adapted to changes in perioperative nursing,

* improve dissemination of information about the Association's work,

* diversify membership options to include choices,

* improve recognition of tender contributions at all levels of participation,

* involve close examiner nurses in AORN,

* restructure the House of Delegates to allow broader representation of members, and

* expand ways to use the knowledge and expertise of members.

Last March, the Governance Task Force was reappointed for a next to the first year. The action of the 2001 House remov the individual member/one vote issue from the Task Force's responsibilities. During their post-Congres meeting, Board members appointed a of the present day task force, including three representatives from the Governance Task Force, to address the individual member/one vote issue.

Initial planning revealed that many AORN workgroups, staff members, and tenders are actively pursuing projects targeted toward pupil nurses. It became clear that scholar nurse involvement is integrated into everything the Task Force is evaluating. Therefore, Task Force members did not focus forward student nurses as a separate issue.

In June 2001 the Governance Task Force mode of actioned a survey of members in the AORN Journal. We asked members to expres their voices and their choices. Although the revert rate was a disappointing 1% the remarks written by members provided a wealth of information. You told us that membership options are too restrictive, and you ne greater flexibility. You also asked that we reach disclosed to others and focus upon giving members what they want and ne Another suggestion was to use specialty assembly members to subserve on committees and task forces. Based forward this member feedback, focus form into groups meetings, conference calls, individual networking, and discussions at chapter meetings, the Task Force has identified four consequences including

* tender work groups that are responsive to AORN's needs

* expansion of voice and choice,

* a Board manner of making that meets the needs of the Association, and

* membership options that fitting the needs of the members.

At the 2002 Congres in April, these four issues will serve as vehicles to favor continued discussion and make changes that will help AORN achieve empowered and informed members and creative chapters and specialty assemblies. Each member must be heard, either as an individual or from one side his or her delegates. Take responsibility to expres your voice and your choice. Be as passionate about our Association as you are when asked whether each patient deserves a perioperative nurse

ADDRESSING OUTCOMES

As we talk about creating tender work groups that are responsive to AORN's indigences we are reviewing our committee erection which needs to be fluid, flexible, fit, and focused. The AORN Board of Directors approved a motion in October to appoint committees and ad hoc task forces annually. This motion will be currented to the House of Delegates at Congres in April. If approved, these annual task forces and committees will replace standing committees, thus creating a more fluid committee classification that will provide greater opportunities for members to help as leaders. Assignments will be based forward the needs and work of the Association, and appointments will use member expertise.