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Suggestions for becoming a candidate for AORN national office
JANUARY 1994, VOL 59, NO 1
AORN JOURNAL
CommitteeReport Suggestions for becoming a candidate for AORN national office
A
merican humorist Artemus Ward once said, “It ain’t the things we know that cause us trouble; it’s the things we know that ain’t so.”’ Hopefully, this article will clear up some of the misconceptions and questions regarding the AORN nominating process.
Self Assessment
T
he nomination process involves a series of assessments and reviews. When you begin is up to you, but the first step involves a self-assessment, asking yourself these essential questions. 0 How much time is available in my schedule? 0 How strong is my commitment? 0 Do I have the expertise or qualifications to meet the demands of the position? Answers to the first two questions can be found only through self-examination. The information to answer question three is in the AORN policy book and committee descriptions, which are available from Headquarters. Chapter and national committee members and elected officers also can provide information on the qualifications needed for national offices.
Volunteer to serve on one of AORN’s many standing committees, project teams, special committees, task forces, ad hoc committees, and liaison groups. Each year, the AORN President-elect evaluates willingness-to-serve forms and appoints more than 150 AORN members to serve on these groups during his or her term as President. The Board of Directors then approves these appointments at its fall meeting. Although these committee and task force positions are filled by appointment rather than election, your involvement in these groups can help prepare you for the nomination process. Seek out members who serve or have served as elected officers in AORN, because their experience is invaluable. Be visible and market your attributes and goals to individual members and those in key positions (eg, chapter presidents, delegates).
Helpful Hints
Sheila L. Allen, RN, BSN, CNOR, is the cardiovascular team leader in the OR at Baton Rouge ( L a ) General Medical Center. She earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing at Northwestern Louisiana State University, Nutchitoches. She is a member of the AORN Nominating Committee.
lan in advance and make your wishes known by being involved in AORN at the chapter and national levels, by publishing, and by speaking. These are excellent ways to prepare for the role of national candidate.
The author wishes to express her gratitude to the members of the Nominating Committee for their assistance and opinions, as well for their continuing dedication and commitment to AORN and its members.
P 150
AORN JOURNAL
JANUARY 1994, VOL 59, NO 1
The Nomination Process
T
he Nominating Committee provides a list of candidates who best promote the goals and philosophies of AORN. Members of the Nominating Committee serve two-year terms, and the immediate past President of AORN serves as the advisor to this Committee. Although the slate of candidates is the official responsibility of the Nominating Committee, all members and chapters share the obligation to participate in the process of electing AORN’s leaders. Chapters submit names of potential candidates to the Nominating Committee by the May deadline each year. Chapters must adhere strictly to this deadline, which, in 1994, will be May 16. Members at large also can submit nominations for potential candidates by obtaining nomination forms from Headquarters. Nominees must supply information about their educational backgrounds, local and national AORN activities, professional activities, Congress attendance, and national speaking engagements. Members who contemplate running for office should maintain accurate records of these types of activities. From these nomination forms, the Committee compiles a list of potential candidates and sends nominees biographical data sheets, employment verification forms, chapter evaluations, and consent-to-serve forms to complete and return by a stated deadline. At this point, potential candidates must decide whether to proceed with the nomination process or decline the nomination. For some members, just knowing that their colleagues considered them sufficiently qualified to be nominated is an honor in itself, and the process ends at this point. Members who choose to accept the nominations complete and return the data sheets to the chairman of the Nominating Committee. The chainnan then compiles and forwards the forms to the other Committee members who individually evaluate nominees based on a point system. Nominees receive points in a number of categories (eg, membership, chairmanship of chapter/national AORN committees; membership in other professional nursing organizations; atten-
dance at Congress; Congress delegate experience; service on the National Certification Board Perioperative Nursing, Inc; publications). The Committee members return the tally sheets to the Headquarters staff consultant who computes the total points for each nominee. When the Committee meets each year in August, the members review each nominee’s chapter evaluation and total points and select the candidates for national offices. Committee members then notify candidates personally and offer to precept, mentor, and prepare aspiring candidates for the upcoming election.
Summary
B
eing on the AORN national ballot is an exciting experience. Two words describe the process-get involved. Your willingness to serve AORN makes you a winner. Each step you take is a learning experience. Whether you are elected or not, you gain from the process. You have the right, the privilege, and the responsibility as an AORN member to become a leader in your organization. Remember, AORN is only as strong as the leaders you choose. It is your choice and your voice that will chart the future course of this Association. SHEILA L. ALLEN,RN Note 1. J J Pullen, Comic Relit$ The Life and Laughter of Artemus Ward (Hamden,COM:Archon Books, 1983). Suggested reading AORN Nominating Committee. “Members share accountability for selecting candidates.” AORN Journal 36 (December 1982) 1004. Bray, C. “Former candidates for AORN national office discuss their experiences, both good and bad.”AORN Journal 53 (May 1991) 1257-1259. Cunningham, S ; Mawhinney M. “Candidate qualifications criteria for elected leaders.” AORN Journal 57 (May 1993) 1187-1188. Groah, L; Moore, C. “Prepare to choose AORN leaders.”AORN Journal 37 (February 1983) 456458. McCullough, L J. “HOWto become involved in AORN.” AORN Journal 38 (December 1983) 1026. Voss, S. “Preparing slate of candidates requires teamwork,”AORN Journal 51 (January 1990)305-309. 153
AORN JOURNAL
CommitteeReport Suggestions for becoming a candidate for AORN national office
A
merican humorist Artemus Ward once said, “It ain’t the things we know that cause us trouble; it’s the things we know that ain’t so.”’ Hopefully, this article will clear up some of the misconceptions and questions regarding the AORN nominating process.
Self Assessment
T
he nomination process involves a series of assessments and reviews. When you begin is up to you, but the first step involves a self-assessment, asking yourself these essential questions. 0 How much time is available in my schedule? 0 How strong is my commitment? 0 Do I have the expertise or qualifications to meet the demands of the position? Answers to the first two questions can be found only through self-examination. The information to answer question three is in the AORN policy book and committee descriptions, which are available from Headquarters. Chapter and national committee members and elected officers also can provide information on the qualifications needed for national offices.
Volunteer to serve on one of AORN’s many standing committees, project teams, special committees, task forces, ad hoc committees, and liaison groups. Each year, the AORN President-elect evaluates willingness-to-serve forms and appoints more than 150 AORN members to serve on these groups during his or her term as President. The Board of Directors then approves these appointments at its fall meeting. Although these committee and task force positions are filled by appointment rather than election, your involvement in these groups can help prepare you for the nomination process. Seek out members who serve or have served as elected officers in AORN, because their experience is invaluable. Be visible and market your attributes and goals to individual members and those in key positions (eg, chapter presidents, delegates).
Helpful Hints
Sheila L. Allen, RN, BSN, CNOR, is the cardiovascular team leader in the OR at Baton Rouge ( L a ) General Medical Center. She earned her bachelor of science degree in nursing at Northwestern Louisiana State University, Nutchitoches. She is a member of the AORN Nominating Committee.
lan in advance and make your wishes known by being involved in AORN at the chapter and national levels, by publishing, and by speaking. These are excellent ways to prepare for the role of national candidate.
The author wishes to express her gratitude to the members of the Nominating Committee for their assistance and opinions, as well for their continuing dedication and commitment to AORN and its members.
P 150
AORN JOURNAL
JANUARY 1994, VOL 59, NO 1
The Nomination Process
T
he Nominating Committee provides a list of candidates who best promote the goals and philosophies of AORN. Members of the Nominating Committee serve two-year terms, and the immediate past President of AORN serves as the advisor to this Committee. Although the slate of candidates is the official responsibility of the Nominating Committee, all members and chapters share the obligation to participate in the process of electing AORN’s leaders. Chapters submit names of potential candidates to the Nominating Committee by the May deadline each year. Chapters must adhere strictly to this deadline, which, in 1994, will be May 16. Members at large also can submit nominations for potential candidates by obtaining nomination forms from Headquarters. Nominees must supply information about their educational backgrounds, local and national AORN activities, professional activities, Congress attendance, and national speaking engagements. Members who contemplate running for office should maintain accurate records of these types of activities. From these nomination forms, the Committee compiles a list of potential candidates and sends nominees biographical data sheets, employment verification forms, chapter evaluations, and consent-to-serve forms to complete and return by a stated deadline. At this point, potential candidates must decide whether to proceed with the nomination process or decline the nomination. For some members, just knowing that their colleagues considered them sufficiently qualified to be nominated is an honor in itself, and the process ends at this point. Members who choose to accept the nominations complete and return the data sheets to the chairman of the Nominating Committee. The chainnan then compiles and forwards the forms to the other Committee members who individually evaluate nominees based on a point system. Nominees receive points in a number of categories (eg, membership, chairmanship of chapter/national AORN committees; membership in other professional nursing organizations; atten-
dance at Congress; Congress delegate experience; service on the National Certification Board Perioperative Nursing, Inc; publications). The Committee members return the tally sheets to the Headquarters staff consultant who computes the total points for each nominee. When the Committee meets each year in August, the members review each nominee’s chapter evaluation and total points and select the candidates for national offices. Committee members then notify candidates personally and offer to precept, mentor, and prepare aspiring candidates for the upcoming election.
Summary
B
eing on the AORN national ballot is an exciting experience. Two words describe the process-get involved. Your willingness to serve AORN makes you a winner. Each step you take is a learning experience. Whether you are elected or not, you gain from the process. You have the right, the privilege, and the responsibility as an AORN member to become a leader in your organization. Remember, AORN is only as strong as the leaders you choose. It is your choice and your voice that will chart the future course of this Association. SHEILA L. ALLEN,RN Note 1. J J Pullen, Comic Relit$ The Life and Laughter of Artemus Ward (Hamden,COM:Archon Books, 1983). Suggested reading AORN Nominating Committee. “Members share accountability for selecting candidates.” AORN Journal 36 (December 1982) 1004. Bray, C. “Former candidates for AORN national office discuss their experiences, both good and bad.”AORN Journal 53 (May 1991) 1257-1259. Cunningham, S ; Mawhinney M. “Candidate qualifications criteria for elected leaders.” AORN Journal 57 (May 1993) 1187-1188. Groah, L; Moore, C. “Prepare to choose AORN leaders.”AORN Journal 37 (February 1983) 456458. McCullough, L J. “HOWto become involved in AORN.” AORN Journal 38 (December 1983) 1026. Voss, S. “Preparing slate of candidates requires teamwork,”AORN Journal 51 (January 1990)305-309. 153