Content provided in partnership with

AORN Congress delegate duties and parliamentary procedure: Saturday, March 29, to Thursday, April 3, 2008

Delegates have the honor of electing AORN's leaders and determining whether resolutions, Bylaws amendments, and position statements reflect the needs and wishes of the chapter members they represent. AORN members can serve as delegates for a chapter in any state, even if they are not members of that chapter, as long as the chapter they are representing has authorized them to serve. Chapter members should keep in mind the general requirements for delegates, including that student and associate members cannot be delegates.

DELEGATE CHAIR RESPONSIBILITIES

Most Popular Articles in Health: Fuel your workout: exercisers who eat before they work out have more energy ...; Soothe a dry, itchy scalp: 5 easy expert solutions; Cocktails and calories: Beer, wine and liquor calories can really add up. ...; The sour truth about apple cider vinegar - evaluation of therapeutic use; The, six best supplements you've never heard of: these secret weapons can ...; More »

To vote in the AORN national elections, each chapter must first select a delegate chair. The chair's responsibility is to provide a list of chapter delegates and alternates to Headquarters. In order to receive the $100-per-delegate reimbursement to the chapter, delegate chairs must submit the names of delegates and alternates online by February 29, 2008, at http:// www.aorn.org/Congress. After selecting the "General Information" link on the left side of the page, select the "Delegate Information" link. Delegate chairs will receive a confirmation of delegates submitted and will be able to check their delegates list online at any time. Each delegate and alternate selected also will receive an e-mail confirming his or her status. To receive reimbursement, attendees must register for Congress in full, and each chapter will receive the delegate reimbursement directly deposited into their chapter account in March.

If you are unable to register delegates and alternates online, or if there is a change in your chapter delegate chair, please contact Deb Warren, chapter relations coordinator, via e-mail at dwarren@aorn.org or call (800) 755-2676 x 222. A confirmation list of delegates and alternates who have registered for each chapter will be available for delegate chairs at the Delegate Counter near registration after 10 AM on Monday, March 31.

MEMBER-AT-LARGE (MAL) DELEGATES NEEDED

Important issues appear on the Forum and House of Delegates agenda each year. Member-at-large delegates do not have chapter meetings to discuss these issues, but they do have the opportunity to take a position on these issues during the Forums and House of Delegates sessions. For the 2008 Congress, there are 88 MAL delegate spaces. In the event that an MAL delegate is not present at the House, an alternate MAL will be allowed to serve in his or her place. Any member who is eligible to vote and does not belong to a chapter is eligible to serve as the MAL delegate or alternate. Member-at-large delegates and alternates are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. As a designated MAL, if you are planning to attend Congress and would like the opportunity to vote in this year's AORN election, please contact Deb Warren via e-mail at dwarren@aorn.org or call (800) 755-2676 x 222.

DELEGATE OBLIGATIONS

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

DELEGATE CHANGES

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

* Saturday, March 29--7 AM to 5 PM;

* Sunday, March 30--7 AM to 5 PM;

* Monday, March 31--7 AM to 5 PM; and

* Tuesday, April 1--7 AM to 5 PM.

Delegate status is coded on the name badges and Expo cards that attendees receive at registration. To make changes, the chapter delegate chair must authorize the change by notifying a Headquarters staff member at the Delegate Counter. The delegate and alternate involved in the change must present their badges and Expo cards at the Delegate Counter. New badges will be printed and Expo cards 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 individuals to vote at the House of Delegates, but Expo cards must be recoded at the Delegate Counter before 5 PM on Tuesday, April 1, for delegates to be eligible to vote for national officers on Wednesday, April 2.

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION

Information for the Forums and House of Delegates sessions is included in Congress Resources. Delegates and alternates are encouraged to study proposed position statements and bylaw changes as well as candidates' statements and discuss the issues with their chapter members. Business-related information is published in this issue of the AORN Journal and in Congress Resources. Any updates will be published in Congress News. Chapter presidents receive a delegate confirmation letter and a copy of the responsibility outline, which also can be found in the Chapter Resource Center online at http://www.aorn.org/Community/Chapters by selecting "Chapter Resource Center" and then "Delegates" from the drop-down menu on the left side of the page. Then select the "Delegate Selection and Congress Responsibilities" hyperlink. Chapter presidents should ensure that confirmation letters and responsibility outlines are distributed to each delegate and alternate before Congress.

Health Care Industry

AORN Congress delegate duties and parliamentary procedure: Saturday, March 29, to Thursday, April 3, 2008

AORN Journal, Jan, 2008

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Business

Most Popular Articles in Health

Most Popular Publications in Health