AORN CHAPTER BYLAWS
CHAPTER #3608
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this professional organization is AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) of Greater
Cleveland, herein after referred to as the
“Association.”
ARTICLE II: PURPOSES
The purposes of this Association are:
A. To unite registered professional nurses for the purpose of maintaining an Association dedicated to promoting the
highest professional standards of perioperative nursing practice for the optimal care of the patient before, during and
after operative and other invasive procedures;
B. To provide opportunity for continuous learning through diversified education activities;
C. To generate, evaluate and disseminate scientific evidence to improve professional periopertive practice;
D To provide leadership in professional perioperative practice to influence health care delivery locally, nationally, and
globally;
E. To cooperate lawfully with other professional associations, health care facilities, universities, industries, technical
societies, research organizations and governmental agencies in matters affecting the foregoing purposes of the
Association;
F. To otherwise lawfully adopt policies and conduct programs for the improvement of perioperative nursing practice
provided that the policies and programs are consistent with the requirements that the Association is not organized for
profit and no part of the earnings inure to individuals.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
SECTION 1: Membership in this Association is contingent on compliance with requirements as specified in these bylaws.
SECTION 2: Membership is unrestricted by consideration of nationality, race, creed, life-style, color, sex, or age.
SECTION 3: Categories of membership in this Association are chapter member, member-at-large, retired, student and
associate.
A. Chapter member - a registered professional nurse who supports the mission of AORN living in an area where a
chapter exists.
B. Member-at-Large (MAL): A registered professional nurse who supports the mission of AORN and does not have
access to a chapter.
C. Retired: A retired registered professional nurse who supports the mission of AORN.
1. Qualifies to be a member-at-large.
2. If a chapter membership is selected, applicable chapter dues may be assessed.
D. Student: an individual pursuing education leading to eligibility to sit for the registered nurse licensing examination
1. May not hold elective office.
2. May not serve as a delegate to the AORN House of Delegates.
3. This is a nonvoting category.
E. Associate Member: An individual who is not a registered nurse, who provides or provided direct or indirect
perioperative services, and who supports the mission of AORN
1. May choose local chapter affiliation.
2. May not hold elective office.
3. May not serve as a delegate to the AORN House of Delegates.
4. May not vote.
SECTION 4: Termination
A. The Board of Directors may terminate a member for failure to meet membership requirements, provided the member
was offered an opportunity to have an unprejudiced hearing, if requested, at which the member was permitted to defend
against the termination.
B. If terminated, a member may be allowed to rejoin by the Board of Directors after demonstrating eligibility for
membership.
SECTION 5: Dues
A. Annual membership dues in this Association are determined by the Board of Directors and are subject to ratification
by the House of Delegates.
B. Dues shall be paid according to established policy.
C. Delinquency: Any member whose dues are not
received by the last working day of the member’s renewal month is automatically terminated as a member, and all
privileges of the Association are withdrawn.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
The officers of this Association are President, President-elect, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer with
responsibilities as outlined in the Policy Manual.
A. President: Serves as the official representative of the Association and presides at all meetings of the Association and
Board of Directors.
B. President-elect: Observes and assists the President in preparation for assuming the duties and responsibilities of the
office.
C. Vice President: Performs the duties of the President in the absence or inability of the President to act.
D. Secretary: Maintains records of the proceedings of all business meetings of the Association and the Board of
Directors.
E. Treasurer: Monitors the fiscal affairs of the Association and provides reports and interpretation to the membership
and the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors consists of the officers and five (5) elected members. It has power, authority and responsibility
to manage the affairs of the Association.
The Board of Directors may not modify the Bylaws
without approval of the membership.
SECTION 1: Meetings
A. The Board of Directors shall meet at a time and place determined by mutual agreement.
B. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or upon written request of three (3)
members of the Board of Directors.
C. Five (5) members of the Board, two of whom are officers, constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI: NOMINATING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
SECTION 1: Committee Composition
A. The Nominating and Leadership Development Committee consists of at least five (5) members. Three (3) are
elected in the even numbered years and two (2) in the odd numbered years, each serving for a term of two (2) years.
B. The immediate Past President will automatically become a non-voting member of the committee for a term of one
year following the term of President.
SECTION 2: Responsibilities
A. The Nominating Committee prepares and presents a slate of candidates to serve in elected capacity.
B. Nominations for elected officers may be made from the floor at the time the slate is presented, provided that eligibility
has been verified and written consent to serve if elected is obtained from the nominee, and is submitted at the time of
nomination.
ARTICLE VII – ELIGIBILITY-ELECTIONS-TERMS-VACANCIES-REMOVAL
SECTION1: Eligibility
A. To be eligible for elective office as a member of the Board of Directors or as a member of the Nominating
Committee, a nominee must currently provide or have previously provided perioperative nursing care that addresses
(ed) the needs of patients preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively.
B. To be eligible for elective office as an officer, member of the Board of Directors or as member of the Nominating
Committee, a nominee must be a chapter or retired member of the Greater Cleveland Chapter.
C. To be eligible for the office of Vice President or President-elect , a nominee must have served at least one (1) term
as a member of the Board of Directors.
D. To be eligible to serve as an Officer, member of the Board of Directors or Nominating Committee the nominee must
have attended a majority of the business meetings in the Greater Cleveland AORN chapter and submit a point sheet by
the required deadline for the previous fiscal year.
Section 2: Elections
A. The Officers, Board of Directors and Nominating Committee shall be elected by majority ballot in May, and plurality
elects. In case of tie, choice is by lot.
B. Any member holding an elected office may not be a candidate for another office unless the current term of office
expires at the impending election.
SECTION 3: Terms of Office
A. The President-elect is elected every year, serves in that capacity for one (1) year and then automatically becomes
President for a term of one (1) year.
B. The Treasurer, and two (2) members of the Board of Directors shall be elected in the even numbered years for a
term of two (2) years and shall serve until their successors have assumed office.
C. The Vice President, Secretary, and three (3) members of the Board of Directors shall be elected in the odd
numbered years for a term of two (2) years and shall serve until their successors have assumed office.
D. The term of office begins at the adjournment of the installation meeting.
E. No officer or member of the Board of Directors shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.
SECTION 4: Vacancies
A. President: The Vice President immediately assumes office.
B. The Board of Directors fills all other vacancies by appointment.
C. Any member filling a vacancy for an unexpired term of one (1) year or more is deemed to have served one (1) term.
SECTION 5: Removal
Any elected official, regardless of the manner of election or appointment, may be removed by the membership upon two-
thirds (2/3) affirmative vote at a predetermined chapter business meeting; whenever in its judgment the best interests of
the Association would be served thereby, provided the elected official upon request was offered an opportunity to have
an unprejudiced hearing at which the elected official; was permitted to defend against the termination.
ARTICLE VIII - MEETINGS, QUORUM
SECTION 1: Association Meetings
A. The number of meeting per year, the months in which they are held, and the time and place is determined by mutual
agreement of the Board of Directors and the membership.
B. Notices of the monthly meetings will be sent to the membership.
C. Members present at a meeting, including four (4) members of the Board of Directors, two (2) of whom are officers,
constitutes a quorum for a business meeting.
SECTION 2: Special Meetings
A. A special meeting may be called by the President, or by request of a majority of the Board of Directors or by request
of a quorum of the membership.
B. The membership shall be notified at least five (5) days prior to the called special meeting.
C. The call shall state the purpose of the meeting, the time and place, and no business other than stated in the call may
be transacted.
D. Members present at a meeting, including four (4)
members of the Board of Directors, two (2) of whom
are officers, constitutes a quorum.
ARTICLE IX - COMMITTEES
SECTION 1: Standing Committees
A. The standing committees of the Association are Budget and Finance, Bylaws and Policy, Education,
Fund Raising, Hospitality, Legislative, Membership, Communications, Scholarship and OutReach.
B. The purpose and duties of these committees are outlined in the Policy Manual.
SECTION 2: Special Committees
Special committees may be appointed by the President and cease to exist when the purpose for which they were
created is completed.
ARTICLE X - DELEGATES
SECTION 1: Representation
The delegate count shall be allocated annually to chapters based upon the ratio of total chapter membership to total
Association membership as of June 30.
SECTION 2: Eligibility
A. Delegates and alternate delegates will be chosen as outlined in the Policy Manual.
B. Delegates and alternate delegates are required to fulfill all duties outlines in the Policy manual and required by
National AORN
ARTICLE XI - OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
The Board of Directors shall establish and maintain vehicles(s) of communication for the Association. Information
carried therein shall constitute official notification to the membership at all times.
ARTICLE XII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORIY
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised is the parliamentary authority of this Association.
ARTICLE XIII - FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Association is July 1 through June 30.
ARTICLE XIV - AMENDMENTS
A. Amendments to these bylaws may be made at any regular meeting provided that the proposed amendments have
been submitted to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to vote.
B. Amendments to these bylaws require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and eligible to vote.
ARTICLE XV - DISSOLUTION
If the Association should dissolve, all funds in the treasury will be given to an appropriate educational endeavor
determined by the membership majority.
Revised: October, 1978 April, 2006
November, 1984 January, 2007
January, 1986 October, 2008
March, 1991 November, 2010
June, 1996 September, 2011
October, 1996
January, 1997
March, 1998
April, 2000
July, 2001
Jan, 2004