A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Kathryn L. O’Donnell, R.N.

May I greet you-the entire membership of AORN-and express my sincere gratitude to you for selecting me as your President.

I have had a few exciting and proud moments in my lifetime but I doubt that any have given me such a mixed feeling of pride and humility. To head such a wonderful organization as the AORN is a great privi- lege. I only hope that I can carry out the duties of the office with the strength and dignity of my predecessor.

Having served as your Treasurer for four years, I have had the opportunity to be a member of your governing body, The Board of Directors. The persons chosen by you to make up this body have already set the wheels in motion for the work to be accom- plished through the year.

So our work is cut out for us. It is never done. It will always go on. I foresee a great future for the AORN, as evidenced by its growth and its spirit of vitality and purpose. The quality of its membership cannot be sur- passed, we must now work for quantity as well.

It is from your local chapters that the Oflicers and The Board of Directors are drawn. We must continue to investigate means of constantly increasing our member- ship, and must not fail to use the talents and abilities of members in leadership roles. I believe this can be done by having a closer relationship between all local chapters and the National AORN. It is my hope to keep the membership informed of all activities

pertinent to the development of AORN, in order to promote the high standards on which it was founded.

Members who do not belong to chapters must be stimulated and encouraged to be of service nationally. By so doing, new groups may be formed.

Interest and attention in a widespread international Association should be stimu- lated by the exchange of ideas with our col- leagues in other countries. Some of these OR nurses have already organized-many have come to our Congresses to share their ex- periences with us. This cooperative attitude must be nourished, as we reach for common goals.

Above all, we must carry on a strong edu- cational program. Local chapters can sup- port this cause and the National Committee on Education by promoting Institutes to serve their city or geographical area. This is an invaluable method of presenting educa- tionaI materiaI, and to increase knowIedge and skills of the operating room personnel.

Many remarkable accomplishments have been made in the AORN since its inception here in New York City under the able guid- ance of Miss Edith Dee Hall. We must never stop in our efforts to improve operating room service.

May I thank you again for this tremendous honor. T trust that I am worthy of it. I will try my very best to carry out the duties of the office of the President of the AORN.

May God bless you all in the years to come.

May-June 1965 7