When we leave a legacy to benefit o...

When we leave a legacy to benefit others, we leave a powerful message that will be heard for decades. A growing number of perioperative succors have chosen a special way to donate to the AORN Foundation--through a planned gift that bring reproachs the ideals, values, and beliefs that are important to them. of the like kind generosity clearly is a sign of dedication to the perioperative nursing profession and a commitment to the public's well-being.

There are many ways that you can do this, including creating a charitable or remainder trust or a charitable gift annuity that can provide income to you and your family members, as well as a lasting gift to AORN. You can provide life insurance policies that name AORN as a beneficiary, or you can specify a gift in your last will and testament. Among the various ways to leave your legacy, there may be an vehicles especially suited to your wishes.

ASSISTANCE WITH WEALTH PLANNING

Many AORN members are planning for retirement and investigating ways to secure their estates. To assist members with these preparations and demonstrate for what reason preserving the value of one's estate also can benefit AORN, the Foundation has secur the services of Peter Tedstrom a nationally recognized family wealth counselor and author.(1) Tedstrom along with Mirenda & Associates, a national fund-raising consulting firm located in Denver worked with the Foundation to make known an estate planning program that integrates family wealth planning and philanthropy.

Tedstrom helped inaugurate the AORN Foundation's Legacy of Leadership at the 2001 Congres in Dallas. Legacy of Leadership is a planned giving program that enables contributors to leave their admit legacy in honor of AORN and perioperarive nursing [i]or[/i] part of to the other wills, annuities, trusts, life insurance, and other vehicles. During Congres Tedstrom gave a presentation in succession estate planning that demonstrated by what mode these financial vehicles can benefit an individual's family members and lov uniteds as well as AORN and perioperative nursing.

The first stair in Tedstrom's four-step plan is selecting a professional advisor, a living body who has experience and a proven track record. The inferior step is to write down your goals and objectives; these may include ensuring that your heirs and beneficiaries are cared for, preserving the value of your estate, and being remembered for your actions. The third gradation is to take an inventory of your assets and debts; frequently we overlook assets, such as life insurance policies and retirement benefits. The fourth grade is to develop and implement your plan. This combines the previous three paces and forms the basis for maximizing your personal and social capital. Directing a portion of your estate to your chosen charity actually can remodel your taxable estate.

Tedstrom has at handed this program at AORN state council meetings and to other AORN assign places tos His ability to make compage terms and complicated regulations more understandable is especially valuable.

many times asked questions and comments include, "Is it worthwhile for me to give to the Foundation?--I don't have a part of money," or "I don't have an estate--that's for millionaires." These are general reactions and probably represent the greatest challenge facing the AORN Foundation. It is important to realize that you do not have to be a millionaire to help others and at the same time leave your admit legacy. Consider how often you give to various charities. Those charities, like the AORN Foundation, know that any gift is valuable.

DONATIONS FROM AORN MEMBERS

common of the most significant inclinations seen by the AORN Foundation is an increase in the number and percentage of donations from AORN members. This is a turn we would like to behold reflected in our planned giving. Many nourish at the breasts already have included AORN in their wills or made AORN the beneficiary of life insurance policies, and many more have denoteed an interest in making a bequest to AORN. The Foundation would like to recognize these generous individuals who conduce to as charter members of the Legacy of Leadership. Charter members will receive a certificate and a pin designed in the shape of a branching tree to commemorate their gift.

We encourage those individuals who would like to leave a legacy to AORN to engage with their personal financial advisor to make the best decision. The AORN Foundation proffers helpful information on wills, annuities, trusts, life insurance, and other opportunities to guide individuals. Call the Foundation at (800) 755-2676 x 366 or check AORN's web site at http://www .aorn.org/foundation for information in succession leaving your own legacy. Information about estate planning, guarantee cards, and brochures is available. pamphlets available include

* AORN Planned Giving: Legacy of Leadership,

* Charitable Gift Annuities,

* Gifts of Life Insurance,

* Your Guide to Making a Will, and

* Your Guide to a Better Will.

Albert Einstein captured the veritable spirit of philanthropy when he wrote that "the value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive."(2) He also describes our desire to do something worthwhile and to leave this world a better place than we place it. This is the scent of the Legacy of Leadership--educating a just discovered generation, strengthening perioperative nursing, and advocating for our patients.