Delegate duties, parliamentary procedure at Congress - Delegate Duties

AORN Journal, Jan, 2002

Delegates to the 49th annual AORN Congress in Anaheim, Calif, have a special commitment to the Association. They, like all attendees, will have opportunities to attend education sessions, network with colleagues, and view the latest technology. In addition, however, delegates are responsible for electing leaders and determining whether resolutions, bylaws amendments, and positions reflect the opinions of the members they represent.

NEW FOR 2002--EARN 9.9 CONTACT HOURS

The AORN Board of Directors have heard delegates concerns regarding their inability to earn contact hours while participating in the business of the Association during Congress. As a result, each delegate will receive an independent study packet free of charge upon exiting the voting area. Alternate delegates may pick up their packet at the Member Resources Counter near the registration area on Thursday, April 25, from 7 AM to 4 PM. Take the packet home, complete it within eight weeks of the close of Congress, and return the answer sheet and evaluation to Headquarters. Upon successful completion of the test, delegates and alternate delegates will be awarded 9.9 contact hours--the number of contact hours they cannot earn while participating in Association business. These independent studies are valid for delegates and alternate delegates only.

DELEGATE SELECTION

Calculations for the number of delegates per chapter are based on the June 30 chapter statistics. Chapters can have the same number of alternates specified in the delegate calculations. Chapter presidents receive delegate information in the July presidents' mailing to facilitate delegate selection at fall meetings. Each chapter should have a delegate selection policy. Chapter presidents can refer to the Chapter Resource Manual or the Chapter Resource Center on AORN Online at http://www.aorn.org/ chapters/resource.htm for guidelines on the delegate selection process.

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE NEEDED AS DELEGATES

Important issues appear on the Forum and House of Delegates agenda each year. Member-at-large (MAL) delegates do not have chapter meetings to discuss these issues. Fifteen MAL delegates or alternate delegates will have the opportunity to take a position on these issues during the House of Delegates. All members who do not belong to a chapter are eligible to be MAL delegates. Member-at-large delegates are selected on a first-come, first-served basis from MALs who contact Headquarters.

To obtain more information before Congress, contact Kendra Keene, chapter relations coordinator, at (800) 755-2676 x 250 or send an e-mail to kkeene@aorn.org. At Congress, inquire at the Member Resources Counter in the registration area.

DELEGATE OBLIGATIONS

Delegates are expected to attend all business-related events, including the Candidates' Town Hall Meeting, Meet the Candidates, Forums, and House of Delegates. If a delegate is unable to attend any of these sessions, he or she should inform the chapter's delegation chair so arrangements can be made to ensure the chapter is represented. Alternates must be prepared to meet the same obligations as delegates.

DELEGATE REGISTRATION

Individual delegates and alternates are responsible for their Congress registrations, as well as their delegate registrations. The Congress registration form provides an area for individuals to designate their status as chair, delegate, or alternate delegate for their chapter.

Delegates and alternates must be registered before the Meet the Candidates session, which begins on Sunday, April 21, at 11 AM. A confirmation list of delegates and alternates who have registered for each chapter will be available for delegate chairs at the Member Resources Counter in the registration area at 7 AM, Monday, April 22.

DELEGATE CHANGES

Delegate chairs can change alternates to delegates at the Member Resources Counter during the following times.

* Friday, April 19             1 to 5 PM
* Saturday, April 20       10 AM to 5 PM
* Sunday, April 21          7 AM to 5 PM
* Monday, April 22       7 AM to 3:30 PM
* Tuesday, April 23     10 AM to 3:30 PM
* Wednesday, April 24   10 AM to 3:30 PM

Delegate status is coded on the badges and Expocards that attendees receive at registration. To make changes, the chapter delegation chair must authorize the change by notifying a Headquarters staff member at the Member Resources Counter. The delegate and alternate involved in the change must present their badges and Expocards at the Member Resources Counter. New badges will be printed, and Expocards must be recoded before the changes are valid.

Alternates also can be changed to delegate status at the Credentials Table in the General Session room 15 minutes before the beginning of each House of Delegates session. Temporary delegate stickers will allow voting at the House of Delegates, but Expocards must be recoded before 3:30 PM on Wednesday, April 24, for delegates to be eligible to vote for national officers on Thursday morning. All delegates must have a delegate voting ticket to vote.