State Councils- Collaboration, Networking,

and Education Ellen OConnor, RN; Patrick E. Voight, RN

ORN members created AORN's state councils to reach out to A perioperative nurses in individ-

ual states. State councils were formed to enhance collaboration and networking, as well as perioperative education. As part of collaboration and networking, state councils advise, consult, and dis- cuss issues important to perioperative nurses in their respective states. In addi- tion, state council educational programs have evolved so that education is coor- dinated among several states instead of being offered by individual state chap- ters alone. An example of this collabo- ration is the North Carolina and South Carolina state councils. These councils' combined education seminars have been such a success that they have become an annual event.

AORN's state councils have helped members as they have pursued legisla- tive agendas at the state level. AORN Ombudsman, Vivian Watson, RN, CNOR, says the following about state councils.

ABSTRACT AORN'S STATE COUNCILS were formed to

create opportunities for collaboration and network- ing, as well as perioperative education, at a state level.

DURING THEIR HISTORY, AORNs state councils have actively monitored and pursued leg- islation at the state level.

THIS ARTICLE lists some of the accomplish- ments of various state councils and provides infor- mation on forming state councils. AORNJ 78 (November 2003) 808-815.

State councils will become more important to AORN in the future. Councils have a rich history of being active in the legislative arena. They have been supported by AORN members from the beginning, and since they represent the statewide views of their members rather than a local view, the opportunity to influ- ence political action can be far greater. The councils are structured to accommodate the needs of the members, providing flexibility for meeting schedules in different areas of the state. The energy at those meetings can be seen and felt, thus paving a road for progress on issues. I believe AORN is wise enough to tap that talent and energy, using yet another resource to move periopera- tive nursing forward by working hand-in-hand, the state councils, and AORN collectively, will be stronger as we build a staying power.'

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AORN state councils have been in

existence for decades. "Over the years, local chapters were interested in form- ing state councils so that there was wider access to programs and OR nurs- ing leaders."2 There were a number of AORN Board of Director meetings and meetings with Headquarters staff members during the years to discuss how to embrace state councils because they were not covered in AORN's Bylaws. Although initially there was no formal recognition of state councils from AORN, this did not deter the councils from organizing or quench members' enthusiasm for reaching out to all perioperative nurses in their respective states on issues pertinent to their work settings. Currently, there are

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NOVEMBER 2003, VOL 78, NO 5 OConnor - Voight

27 state councils across the United States.

The New York State Council (NYSC), Texas Council of Operating Room Nurses (TCORN), Illinois Council of periOperative Registered Nurses (ICORN), and Florida Council of Operating Room Nurses (FCORN) were among the first state councils to organize. They were created to advise, consult, and discuss issues that were sigruficant to perioperative nurses in

The New York State Council has worked to

strength en relationships

among organizations and present a

unified front as a nursing

community in New York.

these respective states. These state councils

have recorded a number of achievements. For example, TCORN has held major education seminars in areas of Texas not served by local chap- ters to reach out to the needs of members at large. The NYSC, which initially was affiliated with the State Alliance of Nursing Organizations (SANO) when it formed in 1973; has worked to strengthen relationships among organizations and present a unified front as a nursing community in New York. In June 1979, the NYSC broke away from SANO to become an independent organiza- tion with its own policies.

The ICORN also ini- tially affiliated with other associations (ie, the

Illinois Nurses Association [INA], the Illinois State Board of Nursing) so that perioperative nurse members of ICORN would have a voice in legisla- tive issues concerning their work set- tings within the nursing profession. The affiliation still exists today, but the Illinois state council now is an entirely separate association working with INA

810 0 AORNJOURNAL

to promote nursing legislation. More state councils were formed

during the 1980s, including the Georgia State Council (GSC), the Operating Room Nursing Council of California (ORNCC), the Indiana Council of Operating Room Nurses, the North Carolina Council of Operating Room Nurses (NCCORN), the Ohio Council of Operating Room Nurses (OCORN), and the Maryland/Washington, DC State Council.

The ORNCC was formed after mem- bers realized the importance of watch- ing legislative and regulatory activities in California? Both the Indiana Council of Operating Room Nurses and OCORN became involved with their state boards of nursing in revisions of state nurse practice acts so they would have input about having an RN as supervisor in the OR.

The Louisiana State Council and Mississippi Council of Perioperative Nurses were formed in 1993. Members of the Louisiana State Council used bylaws from the Ohio State Council and the expertise of members from AORN of Greater Houston to organize. Their pri- mary purpose was to network and enhance communications between state chapters. They also focused on sharing information related to educational activ- ities to increase meeting attendance and develop statewide support for AORN's standards and recommended practices throughout Louisiana and Mississippi.

Other councils that organized in the 1990s included the Oklahoma State Council of Perioperative Nurses, which was organized in 1996 for the purpose of education and networking, and the Oregon State Council of Perioperative Nurses, which was organized in 1997 to provide quality education to a region with many rural hospitals. The Oregon council currently is working on legisla- tive issues pertinent to licensure of sur- gical technologists. The Alabama State

NOVEMBER 2003, VOL 78. NO 5 OConnor - Voight

Council of AORN formed in 1998 for education and networking, and to pro- mote legislation that pertains to periop- erative nurses.

CONTINUED SUCCESS In spite of the early objections from

some AORN members that state coun- cils might be dilute the Association’s membership, these organizations pre- vailed because members knew how critical it was to keep watch over state issues that could affect the periopera- tive setting. At the end of the 1990s, Bill hffy, RN, BSN, MJ, CNOR, who was chair of the AORN Membership Committee at the time, formed a sub- committee led by Linda Savage, RN, BS, CNOR. The committee‘s purpose was to consult with AORN members who needed information and assistance in developing state councils.

In her April 1998 AORN Journal ”President’s Message,’‘ President Ruth Shumaker, RN, BSN, CNOR, said, ”State councils are another option to provide the link necessary for main- taining and strengthening chapters at the local le~e l .”~ President Shumaker appointed a State Council Task Force to investigate possible options for includ- ing state councils in the AORN Bylaws and named Sheri Voss, RN, MSN, CNOR, as its chair.

In the August 1998 Journal “Board Report,” Voss reported, “State council chairs would be contacted for their input into the Board deliberations.”6 President Shumaker also appointed members of the Board of Directors as liaisons to the 24 state councils in exis- tence at the time.

In 1999, groups from Colorado, Missouri, and Tennessee began hold- ing organizational meetings, and state councils for these states became func- tional in 2000. In 2002, Michigan became the most recent state to organ- ize a council. The initial purpose was

to collaborate and network with Michigan AORN members and chap- ters on important legislative issues affecting nursing practice within that state. Formation of Michigan’s council progressed rapidly due to support and mentorship from other state councils, especially the Ohio state council. Currentlv, there are a number of other states &at have been actively discussing form- ing state councils, in- cluding Iowa, New Mexico, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

STAR~NG A STATE COUNCIL It takes the initiative of

one or two individuals who are willing to step up and become organiz- ers and leaders to organ- ize a state council. Con- ducting an interest sur- vey among local AORN chapter members can provide information and inspire others to help organize a new state council. Organizers may want to cross state lines and combine two or three states in some situations.

The person organizing the council’s first meeting

State councils prevailed because

AORN members knew how

critical it was to keep watch over state issues that could affect the

periopera tive setting.

should function as the ”acting chair to coordinate, schedule, and open the ini- tial meeting. AORN Headquarters, other state councils, and members of the Membership Committee can provide assistance and guidance along the way.

The next step is determining a meet- ing location and date. Organizers should plan to meet in a central location within the state to minimize the distance any one member may have to travel. They should send a notice to all chapters and facilities in the state to invite AORN members to the organizational meeting.

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In addition, inviting the state AORN legislative coordinator and AORN Membership Committee regional coor- dinator allows them to provide reports from their respective committees.

Invitees need notification at least two months in advance so they can plan ahead to attend. Organizers should check with members of indus- try to see if they might be willing to provide support for the first meeting.

Although everyone might not be receptive to the formation of a council, organizers should not be discouraged

Organizers should not be discouraged by

negative individuals.

Forming a state council is the

right thing to do.

by negative individxks. Forming a state council is the right thing to do for the perioperative profession, patients, and the Association.

The meeting should be conducted in an orderly fashion. AORN uses Robert‘s Rules of Order Newly Raised as its par- liamentary procedure au- thority? By using parlia- mentary procedures at the initial meeting, organ- izers will expedite busi- ness and gain experience in conducting business meetings.

Major items that should be discussed and finalized during the first -

meeting include 0 choosing a name for the council; 0 deciding on the goals and objectives

for the council; 0 determining categories of member-

ship, dues, and voting; 0 identdymg a meeting schedule (eg,

frequency, place); and 0 determining key committees re-

quired based on goals for forming the council.

Possible key committees to consider include governance, membership,

nominating, finance/budget, legisla- tive, and program. After determining the committee structure, organizers should find volunteers to lead each committee. State council committee structure can be as simple or complex as necessary, but organizers might want to start simple and allow the council to evolve over time.

Between state council meetings, the acting chair coordinates activities of the committees, making sure committee members have the information and direction they need. Members of AORN’s Membership Committee and the AORN chapter relations coordinator are available to help.

After the first meeting, the gover- nance committee can begin to construct bylaws for the council and have them ready for discussion and approval at the second meeting. It is a good idea to have a draft of the bylaws created and distributed before the second meeting so all members can review them before the meeting to save time. Many state councils are willing to share their bylaws, which can be amended for a particular state’s needs.

Organizers need to act in their lead- ership roles until elections can be estab- lished. To ensure objectivity and a fair election, organizers might ask another state council to function in the role of the nominating committee. After the state council has formed, obtained a not-for-profit tax identification number, elected officers, and established goals and objectives, organizers can apply to AORN for affiliate status. A formal let- ter must be sent to AORN’s Board of Directors along with the above men- tioned information.

State council organizers should not give up on the process, even if they face some discouragement. The effort will be worth it when the council is established and functioning efficiently to fulfill its mission. 6

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OConnor - Voight NOVEMBER 2003, VOL 78, NO 5

Ellen F. WConnor, RN, BSN, CNOR, is AORN's region III membership coor- dinator and was the 1998 organization chair of the Alabama State Council of AORN.

Patrick E. Voight, RN, BSN, MSA, CNOR, is co-chair of the Michigan State Council and AORN's region XI membership coordinator.

Editor's note: The authors wish to acknowledge the following individuals for providing information for this article: Susan K. Banschbach, RN, SSN, CNOR, Oklahoma State Council of Perioperative Nurses; Judith H. Bernhardy, RN, BS, CNOR, Kentucky State Council of Perioperative Nurses; Sarah L. Breckenridge, RN, CNOR, Oregon State Council of Perioperative Nurses; Evelyn l? Burton, RN, CNOR, Georgia State Council; Nolda Chander, RN, Ohio Council of Operating Room Nurses; Bonnie G. Denholm, RN, MS, CNOR, AORN specialty assembly coordinator; Phyllis Germann, RN, Ohio Council of Operating Room Nurses; Pat Hickey, RN, BSN, MS, CNOR, South Carolina Council of Perioperative Nurses; Janet E. Junes, RN, CNOR, Ohio Council of Operating Room Nurses; Penny Joyce, RN, CNOR, Tennessee State Council of AORN; Priscilla Jurkovich, RN, MSN, Colorado State Council of AORN; Diane E. McGuire, RN, New York State Council; Carllene B. McMillan, RN, CNOR, Louisiana State Council; Estela O'Meara, RN, BSN, CNOR, Illinois Council of

periOperative Registered Nurses; Carolyn A. Ramsey, RN, MSN, CNOR, Texas Council of Operating Room Nurses; Linda L. Rhyne, RN, CNOR, Operating Room Nursing Council of California; Rosemarie T. Schroeder, RN, BSN, CNOR, North Carolina Council of Operating Room Nurses; M a y G. Simmons, RN, CNOR, Missouri Perioperative Nurses State Council; Diana K. Sullivan, RN, Indiana Council of Operating Room Nurses; Linda J Timmons, RN, CNOR, Florida Council of Operating Room Nurses; Vivian C. Watson, RN, CNOR, Mississippi Council of Perioperative Nurses; and Monica Weisbrich, RN, Operating Room Nursing Council of California.

1. V C Watson, personal communication with the author, Memphis, Tenn, 27 July 2003. 2. L K Glass, E K M Emergence and Gromty&nver: AORN, Inc, 2002) 128. 3. History of the New York State Council (New York New York State Council of Operating Room Nurses). 4. "The history of the Nursing Council of Ca ' ornia, Operating Room Nursing Council of California, http:/h.orncc.org/Histo y .h tm (accessed 18 Se t 2003).

future throu h our shared vision,"

(Agrill998) 764-766.

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hy, AORN-

P F F Room

5. % P Shumaker, "Shaping a brighter

(President's a essage) AORN Journal 67

7. H M Robert, Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (Glenview, IlL Scott, Foresman, 1970).

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