Delegates delay dues increase; approve changes in committee and task force structure and proposed statement on bloodborne pathogens: Monday, April 22, to Thursday, April 25, 2002 - Business Sessions

AORN Journal, July, 2002 by Nancy K. Kuehl

Catherine Weaver, RN, speaking for AORN of Coastal North Carolina, asked how often the House would be called on to vote between Congresses. Watson said it would be determined by the delegates. She added that this is a "mechanism for us to respond to critical situations and be more responsive."

Kathy O'Toole, RN, BS, BSN, CNOR, Libertyville, Ill, asked if there is an estimate on the cost of having delegates act between Congresses. Watson said the cost would be about $1,000 for mailing to the 20% of delegates who do not have electronic access.

Tom Macheski, RN, BSN, CNOR, Gainesville, Fla, questioned the phrase in the proposed bylaws change that refers to needing a written request from five Board members to call a special meeting of the House. Marco Costales, an attorney for Nossaman, Guthner, Knox & Elliott, LLP, and the Parliamentarian, responded by saying that under New York law, 10% or more of the voting members can call a special meeting. Macheski also asked if the Association was considering changing its state of incorporation. Costales said that AORN is looking at a "reincorporation merger," which would allow AORN to incorporate in a state more friendly to associations.

One Member/One Vote. Joy Don Baker, RN, MS, MBA, MA, PhD, CNOR, CNA, introduced the work of the One Member/One Vote Task Force, which explored how other associations vote and how members feel about this proposal. The Task Force surveyed a control group consisting of current and past delegates and national and local leaders. They also conducted a random sample survey of members that included people from a variety of age groups and work classifications. They found that most participants were familiar with the current voting process, and 48% were satisfied with it; however, responses varied when participants were asked if the current system represents the entire membership. Eighty percent of respondents said they would vote using the one member/one vote system, and most said this process is more fair than the current or other similar systems. Based on this feedback, the Task Force recommended that the options of either moving to one member/one vote or retaining the current delegate system be brought to the House for consideration.

Extraordinary Voters. Anita Jo Shoup, RN, MSN, CNOR, spoke on behalf of the Board to clarify the Board's thinking on the one member/one vote proposal. She said that the One Member/One Vote Task Force's research did not indicate a clear mandate for change. Based on the level of interest and because the financial implications of converting to a one member/one vote system were unknown, the Board decided to propose that 1% of the membership be designated as "Extraordinary Voters." This would be an interim step to ascertain members' interest in moving forward and would reveal possible financial repercussions of the one member/one vote system. Extraordinary Voters would be allowed only to vote for candidates for office. Issues brought before the House still would be voted on only by the delegates physically present at the House sessions.