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Serving on a national committee enhances AORN and psrioperative nursing
MAY 1984, VOL 39, NO 6
AORN JOURNAL
President k Message Serving on a national committee enhances AORN and perioperative nursing
nvolvement of AORN members in the Association’s activities is the key to meeting future challenges. Did you know that 213 members volunteered their time and energies for membership on AOFW national committees? As president-elect, I called on 112 of these members to draft A 0 R ” s 1984 to 1985 national committees for the approval of the Board of Directors. Have you ever wanted to serve on one of our committees? Uncertainty about what it means to serve on a national committee prevents some from volunteering. In this column, I will explain how people are appointed and the role of the committees. The committees are an extension of the membership and the Board of Directors, and they work to accomplish A 0 R ” s short- and longrange goals. The committees communicate with the Board of Directors through the Board member assigned as the committee liaison and semiannual reports, and also with the membership through annual reports to the House of Delegates and reports in the AORN Newsletter. Membership on a committee gives the individual a voice in AORN’s future, along with responsibility and accountability for specific accomplishments. Inherent in being a committee member is a time commitment. This factor varies with each committee and its specific purpose. The majority of committee work is done on personal time. Direct expenses involved in the achievement of specific committee objectives are reimbursed by AORN. The reimbursement for personal time and efforts is seen in the development and enhancement of the Association and perioperative
nursing. Our colleagues deserve appreciation and thanks for their commitment. You can learn about the purposes and objectives of each committee in many ways. A brochure on AORN committees is available from AORN Headquarters. In addition, a Chapter President’s Manual, which describes each AORN standing committee’s purpose, structure, membership, tenure, and timehravel commitments, has recently been given to each chapter. This manual was developed because AORN members wanted more information about the Association and its functions. I strongly encourage each chapter member to review this manual. It succinctly presents the scope of A O R ” s role and activities. Additional information on the specific actions during the past year can be found in the committee’s annual report to the House of Delegates in each delegate’s packet. Members have a right and responsibility to review these reports when delegates return from Congress. A chairman is appointed to coordinate the activities of each national committee. The chairman’s name is listed in the AORN Journal each year when the national committees’ membership is published. Write the chairman of the committee you are interested in. AORN Headquarters will forward your letter to the committee chairman. Chairmen of committees have been involved on committees long enough to have strong beliefs in a committee’s worth and efforts and are knowledgeable of its objectives. All committee chairmen will gladly answer inquiries. Representatives of various committees, such 929
MAY 1984, VOL 39, NO 6
as the Legislative, Membership, and National Committee on Education, correspond regularly with respective chapters. Each of these AORN members could answer questions and refer you to the appropriate person regarding other committees. Use the opportunity at Congress and national seminars to talk to members of the Board of Directors and national committees about your interests and where your ideas and efforts could best be channeled. You now know how to find out about the various committees, but how does one become a member? The first step each year in the appointment process is to complete a “National AORN Willingness To Serve” form. This form can be obtained at Congress, by writing to AORN Headquarters, from members of the national Membership Committee, or from any member of the Board. There is also a form included in each Chapter President’s Manual. In completing this form, you need to supply information on AORN membership; local chapter activities, such as offices held and committees served on; the percentage of chapter meetings you attend each year; related national AORN activities; and areas of OR experience. Your chapter president should validate your attendance and chapter activities. This validation gives you the opportunity to inform her of your interest on the national level. On the back of the form, indicate which committees interest you, and space is provided for more information about your abilities and commitment. Listing the names and addresses of two individuals who know about your professional activities offers support for your commitment to AORN. The completed form is sent to the presidentelect each year at AORN Headquarters. The president-electdrafts a list of national committee members for the year of her presidency. During the spring and summer, the president-elect reviews each willingness to serve form. She also corresponds with the Board of Directors, AORN staff consultants to each committee, national committee chairmen, and the Nominating Committee chairman for suggestions of possible committee members. From the willingness to serve forms and the recommendations supplied,
AORN JOURNAL
the president-elect fills vacancies on each committee. Alternates are selected in the event personal circumstances hinder an AORN member from serving. Committee members are selected based upon their personal and professional qualifications. The list is sent to each Board member for review before the fall meeting. At this meeting, Board members discuss each potential committee member’s qualifications. The committee membership list for the next year is then approved by the Board of Directors. The president-elect spends approximately 50 to 60 hours drafting the national committees. During the fall Board meeting, the review and approval of the committees takes about three hours. Letters are sent by the president-elect to the potential members requesting their consent to serve. Alternate members are notified of their status. All individuals who sent in a willingness to serve form and were not selected are also notified and thanked for their interest. Not being selected to serve is not an indication of a lack of qualifications or interest. There is simply a limited number of vacancies each year. Please submit a new willingness to serve form to the next president-elect . Last year I was in a dichotomous position in that I would have liked to place every member submitting a willingness to serve form. I also realized that the greater number of our members who submit forms to the president-elect, the greater the choice and the stronger AORN will be. Membership on AORN national committees is fun and rewarding. I value my years as a committee member and chairman. As a fellow member of AORN, I encourage each of you to consider your abilities. If your time commitments allow, I hope you will volunteer to serve our Association. ROSEMARY A ROTH,RN, CNOR PRESIDENT
931
AORN JOURNAL
President k Message Serving on a national committee enhances AORN and perioperative nursing
nvolvement of AORN members in the Association’s activities is the key to meeting future challenges. Did you know that 213 members volunteered their time and energies for membership on AOFW national committees? As president-elect, I called on 112 of these members to draft A 0 R ” s 1984 to 1985 national committees for the approval of the Board of Directors. Have you ever wanted to serve on one of our committees? Uncertainty about what it means to serve on a national committee prevents some from volunteering. In this column, I will explain how people are appointed and the role of the committees. The committees are an extension of the membership and the Board of Directors, and they work to accomplish A 0 R ” s short- and longrange goals. The committees communicate with the Board of Directors through the Board member assigned as the committee liaison and semiannual reports, and also with the membership through annual reports to the House of Delegates and reports in the AORN Newsletter. Membership on a committee gives the individual a voice in AORN’s future, along with responsibility and accountability for specific accomplishments. Inherent in being a committee member is a time commitment. This factor varies with each committee and its specific purpose. The majority of committee work is done on personal time. Direct expenses involved in the achievement of specific committee objectives are reimbursed by AORN. The reimbursement for personal time and efforts is seen in the development and enhancement of the Association and perioperative
nursing. Our colleagues deserve appreciation and thanks for their commitment. You can learn about the purposes and objectives of each committee in many ways. A brochure on AORN committees is available from AORN Headquarters. In addition, a Chapter President’s Manual, which describes each AORN standing committee’s purpose, structure, membership, tenure, and timehravel commitments, has recently been given to each chapter. This manual was developed because AORN members wanted more information about the Association and its functions. I strongly encourage each chapter member to review this manual. It succinctly presents the scope of A O R ” s role and activities. Additional information on the specific actions during the past year can be found in the committee’s annual report to the House of Delegates in each delegate’s packet. Members have a right and responsibility to review these reports when delegates return from Congress. A chairman is appointed to coordinate the activities of each national committee. The chairman’s name is listed in the AORN Journal each year when the national committees’ membership is published. Write the chairman of the committee you are interested in. AORN Headquarters will forward your letter to the committee chairman. Chairmen of committees have been involved on committees long enough to have strong beliefs in a committee’s worth and efforts and are knowledgeable of its objectives. All committee chairmen will gladly answer inquiries. Representatives of various committees, such 929
MAY 1984, VOL 39, NO 6
as the Legislative, Membership, and National Committee on Education, correspond regularly with respective chapters. Each of these AORN members could answer questions and refer you to the appropriate person regarding other committees. Use the opportunity at Congress and national seminars to talk to members of the Board of Directors and national committees about your interests and where your ideas and efforts could best be channeled. You now know how to find out about the various committees, but how does one become a member? The first step each year in the appointment process is to complete a “National AORN Willingness To Serve” form. This form can be obtained at Congress, by writing to AORN Headquarters, from members of the national Membership Committee, or from any member of the Board. There is also a form included in each Chapter President’s Manual. In completing this form, you need to supply information on AORN membership; local chapter activities, such as offices held and committees served on; the percentage of chapter meetings you attend each year; related national AORN activities; and areas of OR experience. Your chapter president should validate your attendance and chapter activities. This validation gives you the opportunity to inform her of your interest on the national level. On the back of the form, indicate which committees interest you, and space is provided for more information about your abilities and commitment. Listing the names and addresses of two individuals who know about your professional activities offers support for your commitment to AORN. The completed form is sent to the presidentelect each year at AORN Headquarters. The president-electdrafts a list of national committee members for the year of her presidency. During the spring and summer, the president-elect reviews each willingness to serve form. She also corresponds with the Board of Directors, AORN staff consultants to each committee, national committee chairmen, and the Nominating Committee chairman for suggestions of possible committee members. From the willingness to serve forms and the recommendations supplied,
AORN JOURNAL
the president-elect fills vacancies on each committee. Alternates are selected in the event personal circumstances hinder an AORN member from serving. Committee members are selected based upon their personal and professional qualifications. The list is sent to each Board member for review before the fall meeting. At this meeting, Board members discuss each potential committee member’s qualifications. The committee membership list for the next year is then approved by the Board of Directors. The president-elect spends approximately 50 to 60 hours drafting the national committees. During the fall Board meeting, the review and approval of the committees takes about three hours. Letters are sent by the president-elect to the potential members requesting their consent to serve. Alternate members are notified of their status. All individuals who sent in a willingness to serve form and were not selected are also notified and thanked for their interest. Not being selected to serve is not an indication of a lack of qualifications or interest. There is simply a limited number of vacancies each year. Please submit a new willingness to serve form to the next president-elect . Last year I was in a dichotomous position in that I would have liked to place every member submitting a willingness to serve form. I also realized that the greater number of our members who submit forms to the president-elect, the greater the choice and the stronger AORN will be. Membership on AORN national committees is fun and rewarding. I value my years as a committee member and chairman. As a fellow member of AORN, I encourage each of you to consider your abilities. If your time commitments allow, I hope you will volunteer to serve our Association. ROSEMARY A ROTH,RN, CNOR PRESIDENT
931