What a privilege to serve as e-Chapter delegate to AORN Congress in Denver, CO. I arrived early to attend the all day Trauma workshop which for me was very helpful. I am so appreciative of perioperative nurses who choose to share their knowledge and experiences.
This was my first Congress and I appreciated the eChapter Breakfast which was highlight for me to meet all of the wonderful members I have emailed and interacted with face to face. It was enlightening to meet the candidates for office who were part of our chapter and then again a privilege to hear my colleagues at the breakfast speaks to their professionalism and qualifications for office. I then counted it a privilege to vote for these candidates. The Candidate Forum was helpful and allowed me opportunity to mark up my book about each candidate but it validated by my peers at breakfast. Thank you for sharing as your endorsements spoke to the heart of all of our concerns by hearing you knew the candidate and they would work for all of us.
Each time went to or staffed the eChapter booth was a blessing to me. I was allowed to spend time with my peers in eChapter, hear how they were doing, what was going on in their organization and just enjoy time together. It was fun to see; Terri Goodman running around taking pictures, talking to everyone and welcoming all to the eChapter booth. There was never a time I did not feel welcomed or a part of our chapter. It was a privilege to meet so many nurse leaders who share a commitment to service excellence in perioperative nursing.
The First and Second House of delegates was informative; though eChapter I believe could seat up to 80 delegates we were able to seat 68 ( I was told). The meetings were spirited, with the “one member, one vote” bylaw change, the opportunity for all to express their opinion then vote and walk out with a spirit of unity is not seen in every organization. AORN members should be commended for this. The bylaw change to increase membership dues from $100 to the proposed $120 was also spirited as we learned in the financial report our organization is loosing $27 per member so good stewards that we are the membership attempted to amend the amendment to raise the increase to $130 to correct the loss in revenue. That did not pass so a median of $125 did pass which will be implemented July 1, 2010. I believe with the all the benefits I receive from AORN this is a small price to pay. When I do the math that means that AORN membership costs me .34/day, which is less than a postage stamp, less than my newspaper and small price to pay for all I receive.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as a delegate, sharing your time and talents with me and encouraging me along the road. I look forward to seeing all my new found friends in Philadelphia next March and on line throughout this year.
April