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• Chapter Accountability Standards

• Installing Officers
• Creating Chapter Bylaws

Policy Statement
Chapters are expected to comply with the following chapter accountability standards to provide members of the chapter with an identified level of service for their chapter dues and to decrease the risk of liability and integrity issues.

Standards Required

• Chapters will attain tax exempt status.
• Chapters will review bylaws annually or bi-annually to ensure current practices are reflected and update any changes that occurred in National Bylaws.
• Chapters will direct deposit all dues collected by AORN Headquarters.
• Chapter officers will not allow membership to lapse during term of office.
• Chapter committee chair will not allow membership to lapse during committee appointment.
• Chapters will hold elections once a year.
• Chapters will update AORN Chapter Relations about election results within one month of the election.

Standards Suggested

• Chapters will seat delegates at Congress at least once every three years.
• Chapter fiscal years will be consistent with national AORN (January 1 - December 31).
• Chapters will conduct a minimum of three meetings annually.This includes, but is not limited to, face-to-face meetings, webinars, or conference calls.
• Chapters will submit names of potential candidates for National office at least once every three years.

Rationale

• Inactive chapters do not service members who pay chapter dues.
• Chapter board members are at risk of liability and chapter will not be formed if chapter does not attain Employee Identification Number (EIN).
• AORN’s integrity could be jeopardized if chapter bylaws do not reflect current practices or if chapter bylaws do not coincide with AORN National Bylaws.
• Consistent elections and fiscal years facilitate timely distribution of Chapter Resource Guide and accurate correspondence with IRS.
• Chapter members deserve a specified level of service from chapter dues.  Selecting representatives to serve at the House of Delegates, nominating potential candidates, and voting for National candidates demonstrate chapter participation in National activities.