- Email: [email protected]
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Betty J . Thomas, RN
As members and friends of AORN, I believe you should be aware that your Board of Directors does take a very active part in the total function of your Association. The democratically-elected nurses you seat must give a tremendous amount of time, energy and serious thought to all the activities which make AORN GO. In other words, the people you elect at Congress are not just figureheads-they are hard working, concerned and dedicated. And they are totally committed to giving you the kind of organization to which you may belong with pride and purpose. There are certain inherent problems which may arise from that kind of involved Board function. These problems-divided authority, perhaps-are usually within the management structure, a structure which precludes any attempt at empire-building. However, these problems are most assuredly of lesser intensity than the kind which arise from a luck of involvement. For instance, the AORN treasurer, working with the Budget and Finance Committee, is certainly well aware of our constant financial status. On a routine basis, she reviews with the Board the projected budget, the cash flow, the liquidity ratio and year-to-date accounting of income and expenses. Because of this kind of informed dedication and devotion to duty, we have made steady
July 1970
and continued progress, always working well within our means. Because all members of the board have this kind of commitment-in areas such as bylaws review, policy revision and general awareness of nursing trends-we have been able to maintain today’s top speciality nursing organization. Problem areas have arisen recently in the management structure. These are due to a lack of understanding of our reason for being-of exactly what our purposes are. Understandably, a business-oriented executive may well find it difficult to- comprehend our commitment to service as opposed to financial gain. He may well become resentful of the constant necessity for open lines of communication-within the management structure of the organization and also from membership to Board to staff. To function effectively within the professional association structure, it takes a special kind of person. It takes qualities which are flexible yet firm, diplomatic yet determined, and sensitive to the needs of others yet insensitive to personal criticism. It takes one who is an expert in management as well as professional understanding. The AORN Board has recently been asked to find just that kind of person-one to fill the position of executive director for our Association.
11
How does one find such an individual? Where do we look? Industry? Business? The profession? In making that decision, we looked to our future, and we looked at our past. We began to see what many of you already knew-that the longest periods of steady progress were not achieved by business or industry-oriented executives, but by professional OR nurse leaders. Progress was achieved by people who knew and understood our goals-those who were willing to assume top management positions in a difficult organizational structure-because they believed in us. AORN is a progressive organization which is not afraid to change, or to seek new and better ways of accomplishment.
Neither is it afraid to admit its mistakes and failures. After four years of concentrated effort, this Board of Directors is willing to risk reversing a decision. At this time, we unanimously agree that AORN’s executive director must be a nurse-one of our own members. We are pleased and happy to announce the appointment of Jerry Peers, RN as the new AORN executive director. We wish her well. We promise her our loyal devotion and support, and we owe her a debt of gratitude for accepting the challenge ahead. We can be assured that Miss Peers understands our organizational structure and the Board of Directors’ commitment to service and involvement.
FINANCIAL A I D FOR RESEARCH “Developmental” and “research” grants are available from the American Nurses’ Foundation, Inc. Eligibility is confined to nurses participating in the planning or executing of a research project, pilot study, or systematic inquiry in the United States. Funds are administered through a nonprofit and tax-exempt sponsoring agency, and are awarded up to $3500 per year. For application, a letter should be sent to the ANF executive director, with an outline oi the research question and design f o r conducting the proposed study. Ideas which fall within the scope and objectives of A N F are submitted, in proposal form,by the principle investigating nurse, t o the Foundation’s Research Advisory Committee, subject to final funding b y the board of trustees. For further information, or to submit research ideas, write: Susan D. Taylor Acting Executive Director American Nurses’ Foundation, Inc. 10 Columbus Circle New York, N Y 10019
12
AORN Journal
As members and friends of AORN, I believe you should be aware that your Board of Directors does take a very active part in the total function of your Association. The democratically-elected nurses you seat must give a tremendous amount of time, energy and serious thought to all the activities which make AORN GO. In other words, the people you elect at Congress are not just figureheads-they are hard working, concerned and dedicated. And they are totally committed to giving you the kind of organization to which you may belong with pride and purpose. There are certain inherent problems which may arise from that kind of involved Board function. These problems-divided authority, perhaps-are usually within the management structure, a structure which precludes any attempt at empire-building. However, these problems are most assuredly of lesser intensity than the kind which arise from a luck of involvement. For instance, the AORN treasurer, working with the Budget and Finance Committee, is certainly well aware of our constant financial status. On a routine basis, she reviews with the Board the projected budget, the cash flow, the liquidity ratio and year-to-date accounting of income and expenses. Because of this kind of informed dedication and devotion to duty, we have made steady
July 1970
and continued progress, always working well within our means. Because all members of the board have this kind of commitment-in areas such as bylaws review, policy revision and general awareness of nursing trends-we have been able to maintain today’s top speciality nursing organization. Problem areas have arisen recently in the management structure. These are due to a lack of understanding of our reason for being-of exactly what our purposes are. Understandably, a business-oriented executive may well find it difficult to- comprehend our commitment to service as opposed to financial gain. He may well become resentful of the constant necessity for open lines of communication-within the management structure of the organization and also from membership to Board to staff. To function effectively within the professional association structure, it takes a special kind of person. It takes qualities which are flexible yet firm, diplomatic yet determined, and sensitive to the needs of others yet insensitive to personal criticism. It takes one who is an expert in management as well as professional understanding. The AORN Board has recently been asked to find just that kind of person-one to fill the position of executive director for our Association.
11
How does one find such an individual? Where do we look? Industry? Business? The profession? In making that decision, we looked to our future, and we looked at our past. We began to see what many of you already knew-that the longest periods of steady progress were not achieved by business or industry-oriented executives, but by professional OR nurse leaders. Progress was achieved by people who knew and understood our goals-those who were willing to assume top management positions in a difficult organizational structure-because they believed in us. AORN is a progressive organization which is not afraid to change, or to seek new and better ways of accomplishment.
Neither is it afraid to admit its mistakes and failures. After four years of concentrated effort, this Board of Directors is willing to risk reversing a decision. At this time, we unanimously agree that AORN’s executive director must be a nurse-one of our own members. We are pleased and happy to announce the appointment of Jerry Peers, RN as the new AORN executive director. We wish her well. We promise her our loyal devotion and support, and we owe her a debt of gratitude for accepting the challenge ahead. We can be assured that Miss Peers understands our organizational structure and the Board of Directors’ commitment to service and involvement.
FINANCIAL A I D FOR RESEARCH “Developmental” and “research” grants are available from the American Nurses’ Foundation, Inc. Eligibility is confined to nurses participating in the planning or executing of a research project, pilot study, or systematic inquiry in the United States. Funds are administered through a nonprofit and tax-exempt sponsoring agency, and are awarded up to $3500 per year. For application, a letter should be sent to the ANF executive director, with an outline oi the research question and design f o r conducting the proposed study. Ideas which fall within the scope and objectives of A N F are submitted, in proposal form,by the principle investigating nurse, t o the Foundation’s Research Advisory Committee, subject to final funding b y the board of trustees. For further information, or to submit research ideas, write: Susan D. Taylor Acting Executive Director American Nurses’ Foundation, Inc. 10 Columbus Circle New York, N Y 10019
12
AORN Journal