FROM HEADQUARTERS

On track to develop AORN's future leaders

Some of the most talked about issues on the agenda for the 2009 House of Delegates at Congress in March were the bylaws proposals suggested for the Nominating Committee. Though not all of the proposals passed, a few changes were made, including the name change to the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee (NLDC). AORN Connections recently sat down with the members of the NLDC to learn what AORN can expect from them in the months ahead.

^{Members of the 2009-2010 Nominating and Leadership

Development Committee. From left, Kevin Metzing,

Callie Craig, Susan K. Banschbach, Donna Ford, Karen Moser

and Maureen Pennington.}
AORN Connections: What is new with the Nominating Committee this year?

Donna Ford (chair): We have a new name, the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee. This new name reflects our role in leadership development as well as our role in developing the ballot for national elections. Leadership development has been part of the role of past Nominating Committees and now this is more formalized with the passage of the bylaws amendment on our name change at Congress in March. We're continuing to refine the electronic candidate application process-this year only two documents need to be printed, signed and sent to AORN Headquarters. Along with IT support at headquarters, we're planning to have an even more user-friendly electronic application ready for use by nominees when they submit their applications next year.

AORN Connections: What sort of things do you have planned to improve leadership development?

Karen Moser: The NLDC hit the ground running in order to improve leadership development by presenting two educational Webinars, titled "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Being an AORN Candidate." This forum allowed potential candidates to learn what's required of them if they're nominated and then elected to national office. We are also looking into have an online forum through AORN's Online Community of Practice for candidates to communicate with the NLDC. Finally we hope to have a Town Hall meeting at Leadership and at Congress to discuss how we can continue to improve leadership development in our association.

AORN Connections: How has the candidate process changed recently?

Callie Craig: The biggest change in the process is that we no longer use a point system to select our ballot. In the past, potential candidates earned points based on their years of service and on how many positions they had held. The NLDC realized that just because candidates scored the most "points", it did not mean they were the most qualified for the positions. It also made it more difficult for many of our next generation leaders to earn enough "points" to be considered for the ballot. Therefore, the NLDC developed skill sets that define the required skills for each elected position. Candidates are now asked to turn in a resume, along with the online candidate application.

Additional changes include the submission of an informal picture with the application to help put names with faces during the deliberation process. We also ask that each candidate read and sign that they agree to support the mission, vision, and values of AORN before they are allowed to complete the application. The 2008-2009 Nominating Committee requested that each member of an appointed committee or task force be evaluated on their performance at the end of their term, and that process will begin this year. These evaluations will give the NLDC further insight into a candidate's past performance in leadership roles.

AORN Connections: Can you describe how the ballot is created?

Kevin Metzing: Each year we start with a clean slate when assessing all the members who have submitted an application. We go into deliberations with the mindset that members will be chosen because they are the right "fit" for the needs of the association at the time.

We carefully review the applications looking at the skill sets, experiences and accomplishments of each potential candidate and we assess the current board of directors and NLDC to determine what deficits either one might have when vacancies occur. After discussing each applicant's strengths and weaknesses, we decide if the applicant is a viable candidate and determine what office they're best qualified to run for. We think about the association's strategic plan and decide which potential candidates are best for both board succession planning as well as the association overall. Some things that are always on our minds during deliberations are the integrity and the motivation of the individuals. We believe no ballot is perfect, but each summer we create the best ballot for the association.

AORN Connections: Besides the new Web site page and webinar, are there other resources available to help members?

Maureen Pennington: When I found out I was being considered as a potential candidate at the national level, I immediately went to AORN's bylaws to learn about the responsibilities of each office and I searched AORN's Web site for any information I could find on the nomination process. I remember I also found a great article published in AORN Connections that was helpful. One of the best things I did when I needed advice on the nomination process is go to a friend in my local chapter who has held various national level positions and she gave me a wealth of information and most of all the support I needed when I did decided to accept the nomination.

AORN Connections: As a past president and board member, can you comment on the value of having a mentor in this process?

Sue Banschbach (Advisor): Identifying a mentor (or mentors) during this process has great value in various ways. First, it provides a safe environment to look objectively at your strengths and growth opportunities before you are judged on them in the election. Second, it serves as a support system to get you through when things seem a bit overwhelming. Next, it is a great lesson in networking, a skill that is requisite once you are elected. You must learn to move beyond your comfort zone to represent the needs of others, and what better way than to network? Lastly, you will learn the skills you need to "pay it forward" for those who come after you...thus preserving the future for perioperative nurses.

AORN Connections: Is there anything else to share with the members?

Donna Ford: We would really like to meet and talk with members at the Leadership Conference in July. We'll be at the Open House at AORN Headquarters, and we'll have a booth at the Leadership Conference itself. Members can send me an e-mail (ford.donna@outdrs.net) if they have questions or suggestions for improvement. I will share these messages with the committee. We are developing a new Web page for the NLDC and components of this will be available soon. The page will be dedicated to the candidate process and to leadership development. We have ideas of our own, but we want to learn from members how they feel we can improve leadership development.