prosperous grassroots organizing is...

prosperous grassroots organizing is simple if it be not that not easy. It requires putting into action the formula of communication, credibility, collaboration, coordinated action, and cash. AORN's grassroots efforts have advance a long way in perfecting this formula since we first hired staff members to handle public policy issues. We have been fortunate to have dedicated members lobbying for a variety of issues in several states--most notably in Washington and just discovered York. This second part of the round pillar on "Politics: Art of the Possible," an education session held at this year's AORN Congres gives an overview of AORN's grassroots efforts and the importance of grassroots organization.

GRASSROOTS motion IN WASHINGTON

AORN members in Washington have mobilized into an effective grassroots network to make a stand against legislation to regulate surgical technologists (STs) Members have been working hard for several years forward this issue, and in the last six month AORN has become a recognized force in the Washington legislature. Faced with the inevitability of ST registration in the state, AORN has assume the office ofed in limiting the legislation to registering merely the name of "surgical technologists." There remains no legal definition of surgical assisting, and the chair of the Washington House of Representatives Health Committee read a statement into record that the of recent origin legislation is not intended to establish a view of practice or to expand the work of ST in the state. Surgical technologists undoubtedly will continue to try to find certification and licensure in the coming years, on the contrary AORN has established solid acres with health committee chairs and with many tonic health officials that will help with coming events legislative battles.

for what reason DID AORN SUCCEED?

by what mode were grass roots solidified in Washington? AORN lobbyist Terry Kohl helped through having credibility, knowing the clew players, and targeting actions. Moreover, the dedication and hard work of AORN members in Washington and of the Washington state coordinator, Clara J Welter, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA, greased the wheels of action. Before the AORN Department of management Affairs representative matching system started in January 1999 Welter single-handedly matched Washington legislative committee members to AORN members in their districts.

in subordination to Kohl's direction, Welter developed a committee connected view that organized the state members into a functioning network. The grassroots coordinator mobilized the field, including the six chapters and members at large from beginning to end the state, to attend meetings with legislators or committee hearings--sometimes with merely a few days' notice. common person was identified in each chapter to be responsible for relaying information to members in a timely fashion. The policy coordinator ensur that the grassroots positions forward proposals, amendments, bills, and position statements were consistent with AORN's intent and that these positions were distributed quite through the state network to make secure uniformity of information. In addition, coalition coordinators were responsible for contacting the department of health, the Washington State festers Association, the nursing commission, and other organizations that would support AORN's position and tender essential input. Individuals who at first were intimidated by way of the political process joined together in undivided eloquent voice, speaking for perioperative nursing and patient care.

MORE GRASSROOTS ACTIVITY IN strange YORK

New York is another example of prosperous grassroots organizing. In New York, a regulatory, rather than a legislative, issue was involved. The recent York State Education Department (NYSED) officially rul that it was illegal for ST to first assist in modern York. The New York Department of Health, however, now is pursuing the creation of a modern "intraoperative assistant" category under the laws governing physician assistants and specialist assistants, which would enable all ST to first assist. Although AORN has hired a lobbyist with the precise understanding of New York politics and the necessary state dominion connections, AORN members again are the firing material for disputing this effort.

In the last several years, members have met with representatives from the health and education departments to educate them about the OR and the parts of surgical team members. After a brief elation across the NYSED ruling, AORN began working with the recently made known York State Nurses Association to demonstrate that the requirements for the intraoperative assistant are cumbersome and unworkable.

To further our position, AORN lobbyists Arthur Malkin and Tracy Tres have encouraged AORN to take an active stance with strange York Governor George Pataki, as he is pursuing national politics and wants to retain nurses' loyalty and support. AORN issued an action alert in March, asking AORN members in fresh York to write to Gov Pataki, requesting that he not release the strange rule, which now sits in the governor's office. State council chair Sharon Robinson, RN CNOR; National Legislative Committee state coordinator Judy Fox RN BSN CNOR; and long-time AORN activist Marlene Craden, RN BSN CNOR, CRNFA, contacted AORN chapter presidents to mobilize the grassroots efforts. Member reply was tremendous, and AORN's call for action was answered.