Membership Committee launches new services for members - Association of Operating Room Nurses

AORN Journal, March, 1999 by William Duffy, Lorrie Briggs

The AORN National Membership Committee has initiated two new programs for AORN members: MemberTalk--an online Internet discussion group--and the Congress Mentoring Program. Both programs provide opportunities for members to increase their participation in AORN, provide input on its products and services, and learn more about the organization.

INTERNET DISCUSSION GROUP GROWING

Launched in December 1998, MemberTalk continues to attract more subscribers who want to participate in online discussions with their colleagues. The e-mail-based forum offers participants the chance to respond to issues and questions posted by the Membership Committee, which sponsors the forum. Members also may post their own questions and requests for information. For example, chapter members looking for ideas to increase participation in chapter meetings can ask for and receive ideas from other MemberTalk subscribers.

In an introductory message to subscribers, MemberTalk host and Membership Committee Chair William Duffy, RN, M J, CNOR, said the forum is another effort of the Committee to keep members connected as a national organization all year long. Duffy encouraged members to take advantage of this benefit and have some fun with the new technology.

Participating in MemberTalk is as easy as getting to AORN's web site (http://www.aorn.org). Simply click on the MemberTalk button on the left side of the page and select "Join MemberTalk now!" Also included on the site are current topics, tips for using the forum, guidelines and rules of conduct, and information about electronic mailing lists.

CONGRESS MENTORING PROGRAM

With thousands of people attending Congress each year, it is easy for first-timers to be overwhelmed and a little confused. Although participants have found the Membership Committee's Congress Orientation valuable, many have expressed that, in some instances, it is offered too late in the game. For example, holding a discussion about appropriate dress at Congress is a little late if the member has only packed blue jeans and t-shirts.

Membership Committee members believed they needed to educate members attending Congress for the first time about the expectations, appropriate dress, activities, and business functions of Congress--before members leave home. To accomplish this, one of the ideas that developed from MemberTalk is a mentoring program for first-time Congress attendees. Congress mentors would be available both before and during Congress to provide first-timers with helpful information and advice about Congress activities. In addition, pairing first-time attendees with members who have attended several Congresses could allow the orientation to be more personal and tailored to each member's needs.

The program will work as follows.

* Members who have attended Congress before may volunteer to serve as mentors to first-time attendees.

* First-time attendees will be asked if they would like to be assigned mentors.

* Mentors will receive a list of assigned first-time attendees with whom they will be responsible for communicating.

* Mentor responsibilities will include sending an introductory letter before Congress, providing an opportunity to meet during Congress, and offering to be available for assistance during Congress.

If you are interested in serving as a mentor, or if you are a first-time attendee and would like to be assigned a mentor, please contact Lorrie Briggs, AORN chapter relations coordinator, at (800) 755-2676 x 8367 or at lbriggs@aorn .org. First-time attendees also should plan to attend the Congress Orientation, Saturday, March 27, 1999, from 4:45 to 6 PM, in Room 103 of the Moscone Center.

WILLIAM DUFFY RN, M J, CNOR CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

LORRIE BRIGGS AORN CHAPTER RELATIONS COORDINATOR