AORN Governance: Delegates and Voting
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- AORN Governance: Delegates and Voting
Information for Voting and Non-Voting Members
- AORN has only two categories of members: voting and non-voting
- All RNs who are AORN members are voting members
- All voting members vote in elections for leadership and on AORN business during the House of Delegates
- RNs = Voting Members = Delegates
Article III, Membership and Dues
Section 3
Categories of membership in this Association are voting and non-voting.
Voting: A registered nurse, or a previously registered nurse who is retired and whose license was in good standing at the time of non-renewal, who supports the mission of AORN.
- May vote for elected officials.
- May vote in the House of Delegates.
- May hold elective office.
- May serve on committees.
Non-voting: An individual who is not defined as a voting member, who provides or provided direct or indirect perioperative services, and who supports the mission of AORN.
- May serve on committees.
- May not vote for elected officials or in the House of Delegates.
- May not hold elective office.
What is the role of a delegate?
All AORN voting members have the opportunity and responsibility to participate in the governance of the association by both voting for the board of directors and nominating committee as well as voting on AORN business at the House of Delegates (HOD) and any special business meetings held between Congresses.
What is a Chapter-designated delegate?
Chapters may designate voting members to attend Expo and may fund those members. These “chapter-designated delegates” have the same one vote in elections and HOD business as every other voting member.
Article VIII, Meetings
Section 1: House of Delegates
B. The voting body of the annual Congress is the House of Delegates constituted as follows:
- Chapter designated delegates.
- Any member in good standing with voting rights as defined in Article III, who is attending the annual Congress.
Why is AORN sending my chapter a number of allotted delegates?
Prior to 2010, AORN used a delegate governance system where chapters were assigned a certain number of delegates based on their membership totals, and those assigned individuals voted on behalf of their chapter at Expo. This system was replaced by the “One Member – One Vote” governance structure that AORN uses now. The suggested delegate count information for each chapter may be used as a tool to determine funding for sending members to Expo each year.
Can Chapters send more or fewer of their allotted chapter-designated delegates?
Yes. The number of delegates assigned to a chapter is a suggestion, not a limit. Chapters are encouraged to send (and fund if possible) as many members as possible to Expo.
Additionally, chapters should motivate every member to vote for AORN leadership.
What is the purpose of the roll call at Congress?
During the roll call, all states report on the total number of delegates from their state attending the Forums and HOD that year (including states which do not have an active chapter). This number is not limited to only “chapter-designated delegates” and should include all members from a state attending the business sessions.
Do I have to be present for the roll call to later vote in the House of Delegates?
No. The roll call is ceremonious and designed to celebrate members' attendance at the business sessions. Voting in the House of Delegates is not limited to those who attended previous Forums or House of Delegates sessions.
Article VIII, Meetings
Section 1: House of Delegates
E. A quorum consists of all delegates present at a meeting of the House of Delegates but shall not be fewer than 100 delegates
Do I need to sit with my chapter at the Forums and HOD?
AORN Forums and HOD are open seating. To facilitate the roll call, AORN provides seating areas for states, e-Chapter, international chapters, and members-at-large. Members are encouraged to sit where they prefer to be identified and counted for the roll call.
What is a Special Business Meeting?
The annual meeting of the membership is the House of Delegates held during Expo each year. If AORN has association business requiring membership feedback and approval between Congresses, it holds a special business meeting. The quorum required for these meetings is 100 members, with at least 10 members present from each of five geographical regions.
Who can vote and attend a Special Business Meeting?
All voting members can attend and vote at special business meetings.
Article III, Meetings
Section 2: Special business meetings held between Congresses
B. The voting body of special business meetings held between Congresses shall be:
- Chapter designated delegates.
- Any member in good standing with voting rights as described in Article III.
I live outside the United States. Can I vote?
All licensed nurse members are eligible to vote. Just like U.S.-based RNs, nurses residing outside the U.S. are delegates and may vote for leadership and on association business.
| Membership Type | Voting Or Non-Voting |
|---|---|
| New to Profession | Voting |
| Standard (includes trial, monthly payors and Lifetime) | Voting |
| Leader (includes Lifetime) | Voting |
| AORN/APNSA (includes Leader) | Voting |
| Retired | Voting |
| Organizational | Voting and Non-voting, depending on RN status |
| Associate | Non-voting |
| Student | Non-voting |
