AORN Governance & Congress 2024

AORN Governance & Congress 2024

Featuring New Format

When AORN changed the name of its annual conference from Congress to Global Surgical Conference & Expo (also referred to as Expo), it retained the name Congress for the business of the association, consistent with the references to Congress in the bylaws.

Expo attendees in AORN Congress in Nashville this year will have the opportunity to participate in two member forums and the House of Delegates on the closing day. AORN heard and responded to member concerns that the Forums and House of Delegates agendas have historically been dominated by officer and staff reports.

This year, the House of Delegates has been consolidated into one House of Delegates on the closing day. The Forum agenda this year will allow more time on the agendas for member-led discussion. The House of Delegates is the official annual meeting of the AORN membership, designed to share and vote on the business of the Association.

Forum Dates and Information

AORN Forums are designed for open discussion of items of emerging and important interest to the membership, and of those items that may be brought to the House of Delegates for membership consideration.

Roll call will take place during the First Forum this year (instead of at the First House of Delegates).

First Forum

• Sunday, March 10: 9:30 - 10:30am CDT

Second Forum

• Monday, March 11: 9:00 - 10:00am CDT

House of Delegates

• Tuesday, March 12: 2:00 – 3:30pm CDT

Agendas

All members in attendance, whether a chapter delegate or delegate, may vote in the House of Delegates. Virtual participation will not be available in 2024. Due to low online participation in 2022 and 2023, AORN has eliminated the virtual livestream of the Congress sessions.

Delegate Seating

All delegates will be assigned to a special seating area for the AORN business sessions. Chapter delegates will be assigned state seating.

State seating is determined by the number of authorized delegates. Therefore, there will be enough seats for all delegates in the assigned areas. In some instances, two delegations from different states may be seated in the same row. Delegates are asked to begin filling the rows from the aisle to the center in those cases.

There will always be at least one empty chair separating the two delegations. States may seat delegates in excess of their assigned delegate numbers.

Roll Call Information

New for 2024, roll call will be taken at the First Forum only. To accomplish the roll call efficiently and leave plenty of time for member-led discussion, each State Reporter will be limited to 25 words to announce the number of delegates and a brief statement about their State. A silent roll call will be taken by the Secretary before the House of Delegates to confirm the quorum.

Parliamentarian Hours

The AORN parliamentarian will be available onsite in Room 203A at AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo as follows. Members may also email the parliamentarian in advance of Expo and onsite to discuss governance issues and potential motions.

• Saturday, March 9 – 3:00pm – 3:30pm
• Sunday, March 10 – 1:30pm – 2:00pm
• Monday, March 11 – 11:00am – 11:30am
• Tuesday, March 12 – 10:00am – 10:30am

Additional AORN Governance Resources

• AORN Bylaws
• Nominating Committee
• House Rules
• 2023-2024 Committees and Task Forces
• Past Presidents
• Board of Directors