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• Installing Officers

What is an Installation?
An installation is a ceremony, a courtesy, a pageant. It is an inspiration to the new officers and to the membership. It is recognition of the past services of the outgoing officers and a welcome to the new officers. It is not necessary, however, to have an installation ceremony in order to legalize the election.

The selection of the installing officer should be the choice of the incoming president because he/she will be the one most affected by the ceremony. With the approval of the outgoing officer, the incoming officer extends an invitation to the installing officer. The person to do the installing may be a member of the group; a past president; a district, regional, or national officer of the group; or some other dignitary appropriate to the realm of knowledge of the group.

The courtesies extended to the installing officer should include a well-prepared script applicable to the theme that has been selected, and adequate time for the installing officer to become familiar with the wording and feel comfortable about its delivery. In lieu of a selected theme, the group may wish to leave the choice of a theme to the installing officer. A complete list of correctly spelled names of all incoming and outgoing officers, as well as the positions involved should be given to the installing officer.

Installation of Officers
Based on the theme chosen for the ceremony, complete written instructions are given to all involved before the meeting. To be effective, it must come across as a well organized ceremony. Careful consideration must be given to the size of the room used, the position of the people involved, and the placement of props, microphone, etc. Drawn diagrams of seating and standing arrangements are helpful. The protocol for seating arrangement at the head table must not be overlooked. The installing officer sits to the right of the president. There are only two times when an exception may be made to this rule. If a high-ranking government official (eg, governor or mayor), or a higher-ranking official or dignitary of the same organization (eg, state or national officer) is a guest, the seat of honor then goes to this person. In such instances, the installing officer is seated to the left of the president or to the right of the honored guest.

The valued services of the outgoing officers are recognized first and they are thanked for their fulfillment of organizational-objective membership goals. As each new officer is installed, reference should be made to challenging qualities of the office as may be delineated by the bylaws for the organization. The installing officer should aim to foster dignity, zeal, confidence, faith, and patience, as well as integrity to the successful performance of those elected to serve the organization's interest. The membership should also be congratulated on its selection of officers.

Upon completion of the ceremony, the past president expresses his/her personal and the membership's appreciation to the other past officers for services rendered by them during their term of office. He/she also goes on to express the loyalty of the past officers and the membership to the new officers. At this point, he/she will present a pin or gift to the new officer, if this is an appropriate action for the group. If other service awards are to be given, the past president gives them or designates someone else to give the award.

The past president, with the gavel in hand, presents the gavel to the new president as a "Symbol of Authority." The new president acknowledges the office, accepts the responsibilities, offers gratitude to the membership for election to office, and, if appropriate, presents a gift to the installing officer. The past president will then adjourn the meeting.

If you need assistance with installing new officers, please contact the AORN Chapter Relations Coordinator at Ext. 222.