Your AORN Membership Committee—where it all happens - Membership Committee - Association of Operating Room Nurses - Brief Article

AORN Journal, April, 2002 by Jane Ringler, Kendra Keene

Each year, AORN's Membership Committee works hard to promote and maintain the growth and development of the membership and chapters of the Association. Though some members have worked directly with a Membership Committee volunteer on a recruitment activity, many members have little knowledge of the committee and the services it provides.

COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Membership Committee acts as a resource for chapters and facilitates chapter problem-solving. Committee members provide information and guidance to members who are interested in organizing a local chapter and to members in states who are interested in forming a state council. The committee maintains MemberTalk, AORN's e-mail-based discussion group, and the AORN Speakers Bureau. Members of the committee travel to chapters to present "Revitalizing Your Chapter," which is designed to infuse energy and enthusiasm into chapters by promoting member motivation and strategies for involvement.

The Membership Committee is an integral part of both the AORN Congress and the yearly Leadership Conference, and committee members maintain high visibility during both events. In addition, many of AORN's leaders began as members of this committee. The 2002 slate of candidates for AORN national offices includes five members who currently serve on the Membership Committee and two members who served on the committee last year.

Advisory group. The Membership Committee comprises a five-person advisory group and a state coordinator in each state. For 2002-2003, the advisory group includes Barbara Jane Alcock, RN, BSN, CNOR, chair; Elizabeth Berter, RN, BSN, CNOR; Tim Clemons, RN, CNOR; Patricia Madsen, RN, BSN, CNOR; and Armando Riera, RN, BSN, CNOR. Members of the advisory group assist state coordinators in performing their responsibilities and implement the yearly plan developed by the incoming AORN President. The President's plan for 2002-2003 includes the following items.

* Assist in securing a state coordinator for each state.

* Develop and disseminate a student nurse recruitment tool kit to attract adult students into a nursing program.

* Develop ideas for a new AORN campaign, including identifying a recruitment theme for attracting and retaining new members.

* Develop one outreach program for each of the following AORN member segments: managers, RNs, students, and associate members.

* Write one article describing the work of the committee to be submitted to the AORN Journal.

* Evaluate and recommend to the AORN Board of Directors options on how the activities and functions of the Membership Committee could be sustained if

standing committees are dissolved.

State coordinators. State coordinators are the heart of the Membership Committee. Their responsibilities include

* communicating regularly with assigned chapters, including making telephone calls and sending e-mails to chapter presidents and making chapter visits;

* communicating with assigned advisory member and staff member liaisons;

* facilitating chapter problem-solving as requested by Headquarters or advisory members; and

* promoting chapter and membership strategies, including promoting the Member Ambassador Program (ie, Member-Get-A-Member) and providing items for discussion on MemberTalk.

RECRUITMENT

The Membership Committee plays a large role in recruitment and retention, and because it covers such a wide area, AORN is always looking for members interested in serving. For the 2002-2003 committee year, the Membership Committee is recruiting state coordinators in each of the following states:

* Alaska,

* Arizona,

* Arkansas,

* California,

* Colorado,

* Hawaii,

* Indiana,

* Kansas,

* Kentucky,

* Michigan,

* Mississippi,

* Missouri,

* North Dakota,

* Ohio,

* Oklahoma,

* Pennsylvania,

* South Dakota,

* Tennessee, and

* Utah.

If you would like to be a part of this exciting committee and play a leadership role in your Association, please submit a willingness-to-serve form to AORN Headquarters. You can find the form online under the Member Groups tab at http://www.aorn .org. If you would like more information on the state coordinator in your state or the "Revitalizing Your Chapter" presentation, contact Kendra Keene, chapter relations coordinator, at (800) 755-2676 x 250 or via e-mail at kkeene@aom.org.

The Membership Committee really is where it all begins. The committee looks forward to working with you in any capacity.

JANE RINGLER
RN, CNOR
CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
2001-2002

KENDRA KEENE
CHAPTER RELATIONS COORDINATOR