AORN of Alameda County Chapter Bylaws
ARTICLE I Name
ARTICLE II Purposes
ARTICLE III Membership and Dues
ARTICLE IV Officers
ARTICLE V Nominating Committee, Nominations, Eligibility, Elections,
Terms of Office, Vacancies, Removals
ARTICLE VI Meetings
ARTICLE VII Board of Directors
ARTICLE VIII Committees and Task Forces
ARTICLE IX Delegates
ARTICLE X Fiscal Year
ARTICLE XI Parliamentary Authority
ARTICLE XII Amendments
ARTICLE XIII Dissolution
AORN of Alameda County Chapter Bylaws
ARTICLE I
The name of this professional organization is the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, Alameda County, California, hereinafter referred to as the Association.
ARTICLE II – Purposes
The purposes of the Association are to:
A. Unite registered professional operating room nurses for the purpose of maintaining an association dedicated to the constant endeavor of promoting the highest professional standards of perioperative nursing practice for the optimum care of the patient before, during, and after surgery;
B. Provide opportunity for continuous learning through diversified educational activities;
C. Study, discuss, research, and exchange information in the field of perioperative nursing;
D. Hold meetings at intervals for the purposes of the Association;
E. Cooperate lawfully with other professional associations, health care facilities, universities, industries, technical societies, research organizations, and governmental agencies in matters affecting the foregoing purposes of the Association;
F. Otherwise lawfully adopt policies and conduct programs for the improvement of perioperative nursing practice provided that the policies and programs are consistent with the requirements that the Association is not organized for profit and no part of its earnings inure to individuals.
ARTICLE III – Membership and Dues
Section 1: Membership in the Association is contingent on compliance with requirements as specified in these bylaws.
Section 2: Membership is unrestricted by consideration of nationality, race, creed, lifestyle, color, sex, or age.
Section 3: Categories of membership in the Association are Chapter Member, Retired, Student and Associate.
A. Chapter Member: A registered professional nurse who supports the mission of AORN.
B. Retired: A retired registered professional nurse who supports the mission of AORN.
1. Qualifies to be a member at large.
2. If a chapter membership is selected, applicable chapter dues may be assessed.
C. Student: An individual pursuing education leading to eligibility to sit for the registered nurse licensing examination.
1. Qualifies to be a member at large.
2. If a chapter membership is selected, applicable chapter dues may be assessed.
3. May not hold elective office.
4. May not serve as a delegate to the AORN House of Delegates.
D. Associate: An individual who supports the mission of AORN and who is primarily engaged in one of the following professions: health care industry representative, central service professional, physician, health care administrator, perioperative and facility materials management, informatics personnel or pharmacist.
1. Qualifies to be an associate at large.
2. If a chapter membership is selected, applicable chapter dues may be assessed.
3. May not hold elective office.
4. May not serve as a delegate to the AORN House of Delegates.
5. This is a nonvoting category.
Section 4: Termination
A. The Board of Directors by a two-thirds (2/3) vote may terminate a member for failure to meet membership requirements, provided the member was offered an opportunity to have an unprejudiced hearing, if requested, at which the member was permitted to defend against the termination.
B. A terminated member may be allowed to rejoin by the Board of Directors after demonstrating eligibility for membership.
Section 5: Dues
A. The annual membership dues of the Association are determined by the Board of Directors and subject to ratification by the membership.
B. The annual membership dues of National AORN are determined by the National Board of Directors and subject to ratification by the House of Delegates.
C. Local and national membership dues are sent to the AORN headquarters office in accord with national policy.
D. Delinquency - any member whose dues are not received by the last working day of the member’s renewal month is automatically terminated as a member, and all privileges of the Association are withdrawn.
ARTICLE IV – Officers
The officers of the Association are President, President-elect, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Responsibilities for each office are outlined in the Association’s Officers Handbook.
A. President - Serves as the official representative of the Association and presides at all meetings of the Association and Board of Directors.
B. President-elect - Observes and assists the President in preparation for assuming the duties and
responsibilities of that office.
C. Vice President - Performs the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to act.
D. Secretary – Maintains records of the proceedings of all business meetings of the Association and the Board of Directors.
E. Treasurer - Monitors the fiscal affairs of the Association and provides reports and interpretation to the membership and the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V – Nominating Committee, Nominations, Eligibility, Elections, Terms of
Office, Vacancies, Removals
Section 1. Nominating Committee
A. The Nominating Committee consists of at least three (3) members. Two (2) members are elected in the odd numbered years and one (1) in the even numbered years, each serving for a term of two (2) years.
B. The immediate past President will automatically become a non-voting member of the committee for a term of one (1) year following the term of office as President.
Section 2. Nominations
A. The Nominating Committee prepares and presents a slate of candidates to serve in elected capacity.
B. Nominations for elected officers may be made from the floor at the time the slate is presented, providing that eligibility has been verified and written consent to serve if elected was obtained from the nominee and is submitted at the time of the nomination.
Section 3. Eligibility
A. To be eligible for elective office as a member of the Board of Directors or as a member of the Nominating Committee, a nominee must currently provide or have previously provided perioperative nursing care that addresses (ed) the needs of patients preoperatively, intraoperatively, and/or postoperatively.
B. Any member holding elective office may not be a candidate for another office unless the current term of the office expires at the impending annual election.
C. To be eligible for the office of President-elect or Vice President, a nominee must have served at least one (1) year as a member of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Elections
A. The Officers, Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee will be elected by written ballot mailed to the membership.
B. Plurality elects and in cases of tie, choice is by lot.
Section 5. Terms of Office
A. The President-elect will be elected each year and serves in that capacity for one (1) year and then as President for one (1) year.
B. The Vice President and Secretary will be elected in the even numbered years for a term of two (2) years and will serve until their successors have assumed office.
C. The Treasurer will be elected in the odd numbered years for a term of two (2) years and will serve until their successor has assumed office.
D. One (1) member of the Board of Directors will be elected in the even numbered years for a term of two (2) years or until their successor has assumed office.
E. Two (2) members of the Board of Directors will be elected in the odd numbered years for a term of two (2) years or until their successors have assumed office.
F. The term of office begins at the adjournment of the June chapter meeting.
Section 6. Vacancies
A. President - the Vice President immediately assumes office.
B. The Board of Directors fills all other vacancies.
C. Any member filling a vacancy for an unexpired term of one (1) year or more is deemed to have served one term.
Section 7. Removal
Any elected official, regardless of the manner of election or appointment, may be removed by the Board of Directors upon two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of those Directors then in office provided the Officer or Director, upon request, was offered an opportunity to have an unprejudiced hearing at which the Officer or Director was permitted to defend against the termination.
ARTICLE VI – Meetings
A. Association
1. There will be a minimum of nine (9) meetings per year, date to be determined by the Board of Directors.
2. Five (5) percent of the membership constitutes a quorum.
B. Special
1. Special meetings of the Association may be called by the President, by a majority of the Board of Directors, or by request of a quorum of the membership.
2. The call will state the purpose of the meeting, the time and the location. No business other than that stated in the call may be transacted.
3. Five (5) percent of the membership constitutes a quorum.
ARTICLE VII – Board of Directors
The Board of Directors consists of the Officers and three (3) elected members. The immediate Past President serves on the Board of Directors as an ex officio member. It has the power, authority and responsibility to manage the affairs of the Association, except to modify action of the membership.
A. Meets a minimum of two (2) times per year: once before Congress and once within twenty-one (21) days following the June chapter meeting.
B. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or by a majority of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII – Committees and Task Forces
In order to achieve the Association’s mission and strategic plan as well as the needs of the profession, the Board of Directors will, at least annually, create such committees and ad hoc task forces as it deems desirable. The President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, will appoint the members of all such committees and ad hoc task forces. Each committee or task force will have only such powers as are specifically delegated to it by the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee or task force will constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE IX – Delegates
Delegates will represent the Association at the annual national Congress.
Section 1. Eligibility
A delegate or alternate must have active membership status in the Association for one (1) year preceding Congress.
Section 2. Representation
A. The delegate count will be allocated annually to Chapters based upon the ratio of total chapter membership to total National Association membership as of June 30, with each chapter having a minimum of one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate delegate.
B. An alternate delegate is one who will be seated in the delegate session only in the absence of the delegate. Once an alternate has been moved up to delegate status, that status is maintained for the duration of Congress.
C. Delegates will be selected using the points system outlined in the Association Points Policy.
D. Delegates designated to any annual Congress will continue in their office as delegates for the purpose of any special meeting of the National Association that may be called until the delegates are duly designated for the next Congress.
E. Special meetings of the House of Delegates may be held between annual Congresses. A delegate may vote at a special meeting by proxy.
ARTICLE X – Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of the Association is July 1 through June 30.
ARTICLE XI – Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised is the parliamentary authority of the Association.
ARTICLE XII – Amendments
Section 1. Amendments to these bylaws may be made at any regular meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, provided:
A. Proposed amendments have been presented at the previous meeting, or;
B. Proposed amendments have been mailed to the membership at least thirty (30) day prior to the vote.
Section 2. Amendments to these bylaws after being approved by the membership will be sent to the National Bylaws Committee for evaluation and approval.
ARTICLE XIII – Dissolution
If the Association should dissolve, all funds in the treasury will be given to the AORN Foundation.
Reviewed 11/97, 5/98
Revised 10/88, 4/91, 9/94, 4/96, 4/99, 3/00, 4/01, 10/02
Approved 11/88, 5/91, 12/94, 5/96, 6/99, 4/00, 5/01, 12/02