Let‘s coordinate chapter bylaws

National committee on bylaws

The national committee on bylaws has given considerable thought to the many problems encountered by chapters as they endeavor to keep their bylaws in good standing. This year we completed rotating all chapters‘ bylaws for evaluation. Amend- ments approved at the 1970 Congress should have been incorporated into each chapter’s bylaws. This has been a time con- suming task, but a necessary one. Bylaws in good standing are the criteria for dele- gate representation a t the Annual Con- gress.

This committee recognizes that bylaws evaluation needs to be simplified and standardized for the individual member. With this in mind, serious consideration has been given to a plan of action that would be implemented immediately following the Chicago Congress. Committee members ex-

Members of the national committee on bylaws are

Patricia K Rogers, Chairman, who prepared this

report: Nancy Ertl, Patricia Friberg, M a r y Greer,

Joyce Borndahl, Doris Kirk, and Marsha McElmur-

ray.

pect this formula to ease the situation of complex bylaws and their revision on the local level. Members then could channel their efforts more productively to educa- tional and other pertinent matters.

Based on the existing information now in Headquarters files, and in accord with all changes to be made a t the 1973 Congress, Headquarters would redesign each chap- ter’s local bylaws. Information not on file a t Headquarters for a particular chapter would be filled in by the chapter’s bylaws committee. Two copies of the redesigned bylaws would be sent to each chapter, which would review them. Next, the chap- ter would return both copies to the chair- man of the national committee on bylaws for National approval. Then one set of the bylaws would be returned to the chapter for adoption and filing. The other set would be placed on file at Headquarters.

The national committee on bylaws i s aware that this project will take a consid- erable amount of time, for the national committee and for Headquarters personnel. A very prompt response from al l chapters

Februaiy 1973 209

will help expedite this plan. Once corn- tion's bylaws so they are written in an ac- pleted, each chapter will benefit greatly ceptable parliamentary fashion. Changes by being relieved of the awesome task of are merely editorial, with the following pro- compiling bylaws. In the future, only needed posed amendments as the only exceptions. amendments will require attention. These proposed amendments are ready to

The national committee on bylaws has be incorporated into the redesigned bylaws made every effort to redesign the Associa- following affirmative action.

Proposed amendments t o AORN's bylaws Existing bylaw

Article Ill

Section 2

A. Chapter member

An operating room nurse living in an area where a local chapter exists.

Article IV

Section 4

E. The treasurer shall:

1. Be responsible for financial affairs of this Association.

Article VI

Section 1

Non existing

Proposed Amendment

Article 111

Section 2

A. Chapter member An operating room nurse living in an area where a local chapter exists, ex- cept military personnel who have the option of chapter or member at large status.

Article V Section 2 E. Treasurer

1 . Assumes responsibility for the financial affairs of the Association. 2. Presents a written report of the finan- cial standing of the Association at the annual and mid-year meetings of the Board of Directors and to the House of Delegates at the Annual Congress. 3. Acts as chairman of the budget and finance committee.

Article VI Section 1 B. Duties of the nominating committee:

1. Prepares list of nominees, accompa- nied by written consent to serve, and submits to the Board of Directors for re- view and information prior to the elec- tion.

210 AORN Journal