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

Lynne Virgili, RN, BSN, CNOR, Norfolk, Va, suggested implementing a proxy voting system so chapters unable to seat all their delegates at Congress still could have a full voice. Later in the proceedings, Virgili made a motion that AORN consider implementing proxy voting. She did not have an estimate on the financial impact, but said it should be minimal. President Allen noted that if this type of voting was allowed under New York state laws of incorporation, it would require a process change rather than a bylaws change, and it was not something that should be brought before the House. Several delegates suggested that there are other ways members can participate in the process, including as e-Chapter and member-at-large delegates.

Shumaker then moved to refer her original motion back to the Board or a committee of the Board for its recommendation to the 2003 Congress and to report on how to maximize the size of the House of Delegates. This motion was defeated. The House then moved back to the motion to increase the size of the House of Delegates. This motion also was defeated.

President Allen announced that the Board of Directors would be withdrawing the motion related to Extraordinary Voters at the second session of the House. In addition, Charlotte Guglielmi announced that the Governance Task Force would be withdrawing motions to grant delegate seats to past Presidents and Golden Gavel members. She later clarified that the motion to grant delegate status to two members from each specialty assembly still was before the House.

Susan Kaneshiro, RN, CNOR, Thousand Oaks, Calif, announced that she would make a motion that every active member of the Association have the ability to vote in national elections held at Congress. "[This] could encourage better participation at the chapter level to become a delegate," said Kaneshiro. She estimated the financial impact of this would be $50,000 to $60,000 for mailings and extra staff member time. "That would be approximately $1.50 per member," said Kaneshiro.

SECOND FORUM

The second Forum began at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, April 24th. Delegates discussed a variety of topics, including changes in position statements and reports from a number of task force members.

Bloodborne pathogen statement. Cecil A. King, RN, MS, CNOR, CNS, spoke about the work of the task force on the "Proposed AORN Revised Statement on Patients and Health Care Workers with Bloodborne Diseases." AORN's revised position statement incorporates federal regulations and standards based on the most current scientific evidence, said King. He noted that health care workers have a responsibility to educate themselves, use protective measures, report promptly, and know their status. "The Association reaffirms the ongoing commitment of its members to provide safe, equitable, confidential, individualized care to all patients undergoing perioperative intervention," said King.

Dues increase. Treasurer Duffy told delegates that because financial numbers were better than expected at the end of fiscal year 2001, the Board felt the House of Delegates should have the opportunity to consider postponing the dues increase. Duffy said AORN's profit from the previous year would cover the lost revenue that will result if the dues increase is postponed; however, AORN's revenue streams continue to be flat as cost pressures rise. It is expected that the Association will finish fiscal year 2001-2002 in the red. Duffy noted that though AORN is financially strong, the dues increase will be needed eventually.