Related Links
Supporting Documents
State Councils
What is a State Council?
State councils are formed to focus on the issues pertinent to perioperative registered nurses. They provide a mechanism whereby perioperative registered nurses may gather for discussion, advice, and consultation regarding nursing issues in their respective states. State Council members are composed of various local AORN Chapters, and often individual members. State Councils address practice issues and legislative activity within their individual states and provide avenues for increased communication between chapters within the state via email, web pages, and newsletters.
What are the benefits of a State Council?
Any state can form a State Council. The State Council leadership group has developed a Mentorship Program to help guide and assist states through the formation process. Contact the AORN Member Groups Governance Coordinator about State Council Formation Resource books that are available from AORN and include samples of the following:
Currently, State Councils composed of registered nurses may be recognized as AORN affiliates by the Board of Directors (AORN Bylaws Article VIII, section 4). The focus of the State Council leadership group is to increase the number of State Councils so that all states will have the benefit of increased member communication that will enable them to participate at many levels appropriate to their local and regional environment.
For additional information, or to be assigned a State Council Formation Mentor, contact the AORN Member Groups Governance Coordinator at 800-755-2676, Ext. 427.
State councils are formed to focus on the issues pertinent to perioperative registered nurses. They provide a mechanism whereby perioperative registered nurses may gather for discussion, advice, and consultation regarding nursing issues in their respective states. State Council members are composed of various local AORN Chapters, and often individual members. State Councils address practice issues and legislative activity within their individual states and provide avenues for increased communication between chapters within the state via email, web pages, and newsletters.
What are the benefits of a State Council?
- Increases ability to support nursing legislation at the state level.
- Provides opportunities to education the state legislators as well as the public.
- Serves as a liaison in developing an alliance within the state including supporting and promoting the role of the perioperative nurse within:
- Nursing Organizations
- Schools of Nursing
- State Hospital Associations
- Nursing Specialty Interest Groups
- Board of Nurse Examiners
- Medical Associations
- Other Professional Organizations
- Provides affordable educational opportunities at a state level.
- Increases information to rural communities in a more timely manner.
- Shares state legislative information to local chapters regarding perioperative issues.
- Encourages endorsement of patient safety issues at the state and local level.
- Promotes and helps to coordinate increased sharing among local chapters.
- Provides another avenue to gain leadership experience.
Any state can form a State Council. The State Council leadership group has developed a Mentorship Program to help guide and assist states through the formation process. Contact the AORN Member Groups Governance Coordinator about State Council Formation Resource books that are available from AORN and include samples of the following:
- Missions
- Goals
- Bylaws
- Meeting agendas
- Legislative tips
Suggested Steps for Forming a State Council
- As a new organization, appoint officers until such time as you designate official elections. Officers should consist of at least: Chair, (Co-chair) or Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
- Fill out the SS4 form to secure an Employer ID number. This is necessary even though you probably won't hire anyone.
- Set up a bank account with a bank. This typically requires you to have an employee ID number (which you will obtain once SS4 form is submitted). Mot likely you will only have one person signing checks off of the account but it may be of benefit to have two officers named for approved signatures for the business, i.e., co-chair and treasurer.
- Write your bylaws and have them reviewed and approved by the membership. These must be signed and dated when approved by two officers.
- Application for Federal IRS requires $150 fee. File for 501 c(6) because councils plan to not only educate, but monitor and eventually introduce legislation that may require lobbying. Use forms 8714 and 1024. You have a year from formation to file this process. Important to note is that it may take awhile to accumulate money. Remember that State Councils are independent affiliates of AORN. They are only recognized by the AORN Board through an application process online. Therefore no mention of AORN is made on these forms.
- The 1024 form asks for a 3 year projection of your assets and expenditures. Base that on your projected membership dues and costs.
Currently, State Councils composed of registered nurses may be recognized as AORN affiliates by the Board of Directors (AORN Bylaws Article VIII, section 4). The focus of the State Council leadership group is to increase the number of State Councils so that all states will have the benefit of increased member communication that will enable them to participate at many levels appropriate to their local and regional environment.
For additional information, or to be assigned a State Council Formation Mentor, contact the AORN Member Groups Governance Coordinator at 800-755-2676, Ext. 427.
