ARTICLE II: 

PURPOSE: The purposes of this Association are: 
        A. To unite registered professional operating room nurses for the purpose of
              maintaining an Association dedicated to the constant endeavor of promoting the
              highest professional standards of perioperative nursing practice for the optimum
              care of the patient before, during and after surgery;
         B. To provide opportunity for continuous learning through diversified educational
              activities; 
         C. To study, discuss, research and exchange information in the field of perioperative
              nursing;
          D. To hold meetings at intervals for the purpose of this Association; 
          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 its earnings inure to individuals.

ARTICLE III:

MEMBERSHIP AND DUES -
  Section 1: Membership in this Association is contingent on compliance with
                  requirements in these bylaws.

  Section 2: Membership is unrestricted by consideration of nationality, race, creed,
                  lifestyle, color, sex or age.

  Section 3: Categories of membership in this Association are chapter members:
                  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: A registered professional nurse who supports the mission of
                    AORN and does not have access to a chapter.
       
                 C. Retired: A 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. May choose chapter affiliation.
                           1. May not hold elective office.
                           2. May not serve as a delegate to the AORN House of Delegates.
                           3. This is a nonvoting catagory.

                 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
: 
             1. 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. 

             2. 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 considered terminated as a member and
                  all privileges of the Association are withdrawn.

ARTICLE IV:

OFFICERS - The officers of this Association are President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer, with responsibilities as outlined in the Policy Manual.

               1. President: Serves as the official representative of the Association and presides at
                                   all meetings of the Association and Board of Directors. 

               2. President-elect: Observes and assists the President in preparation for assuming
                                   the duties and responsibilities of that office. Performs the duties of the
                                   President in the absence or inability of the President to act. 

               3. Secretary: Maintains records of the proceedings of all business meetings of the
                                   Association and the Board of Directors.

               4. Treasurer: Monitors the fiscal affairs of the Association and provides reports
                                   and interpretation to the membership and Board of Directors. 

ARTICLE V:

NOMINATING COMMITTEE - NOMINATIONS - ELIGIBILITY - ELECTIONS - TERMS OF OFFICE - VACANCIES - REMOVAL
  Section 1: Nominating Committee: The nominating committee consists of at least 2
                  members. 1 member is elected in the even numbered years and 1 in the odd
                  numbered years, each serving for a term of two (2) years.

  Section 2: Nominations: 
                  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 the eligibility has been verified and written
                       consent to serve, if elected, was obtained from the nominee and is submitted
                       at the time of nomination.

  Section 3: Eligibility: To be eligible for elective office as an officer, member of the Board of
                  Directors or as a member of the Nominating Committee, a nominee must be an
                  active member of the Association.

  Section 4: Elections:
                  A. The officers, Board of Directors and Nominating Committee shall be elected
                       by written ballot at the annual meeting and plurality elects. In case of a tie,
                       choice is by lot. Ballots will be mailed to all chapter members before annual
                        meeting along with voting instructions.

                  B. Any member holding an elective office may not be a candidate for another
                      office unless the current term of the member expires at the impending annual
                      election.

  Section 5: 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 1 member 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 Secretary, and 1 member 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 meeting at which they
                        have been elected.

  Section 6: Vacancies
                   A. President: President-elect immediately assumes office.
                    B. President-elect: A vacancy in the office of President-elect is filled by a vote
                        of the Board of Directors from a slate submitted by the Nominating
                        Committee. 
                    C. The Board of Directors fills all other vacancies.
                    D. Any member filling a vacancy for an unexpired term of one(1) year or more
                          is deemed to have served one (1) term.

  Section 7: 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; 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 VI:

MEETINGS - QUORUM
  Section  1: Association Meetings
                        A. The number of meetings per year, the month 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 meetings will be sent to the membership.
                         C. Five percent of the membership including 2 members of the Board of
                              Directors, 1 of whom is an officer, constitutes a quorum for a business
                              meeting.

  Section 2: Special Meetings
                         A. A special meeting may be called by the president or by the 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. Five percent of the membership including three (3) members of the
                               Board of Directors, 2 of whom are officers, constitutes a quorum.

ARTICLE VII:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                       The Board of Directors consists of the officers and 2 elected members. It has
                       power, authority and responsibility to manage the affairs of the Association,
                       except to modify action of the members. 

ARTICLE VIII:

COMMITTEES
  Section 1: Standing Committees
                  The standing committees of the Association are elected by the chapter members
                  with the approval of the Board of Directors. Each committee consists of at  least
                  2 members. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum.

ARTICLE IX:

DELEGATES

  Section 1: Eligibility: Delegates and alternate delegates to the annual Congress must have
                  active membership status.

  Section 2: Representation: One (1) delegate and one (1) alternate delegate who will be
                  seated in the absence of the delegate will be selected for every twenty-five (25)
                  active members or portion thereof.

                 A. Delegates will be chosen by the Board of Directors. A point system as
                       outlined in the policy manual will be used when necessary.

ARTICLE X:

FISCAL YEAR: The fiscal year of the Association is July 1 through June 30 of the following
                           year.

ARTICLE XI

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION: The Board of Directors shall establish and maintain vehicle(s)
                                               of  communication for the Association. Information carried
                                               therein shall constitute official notification to the membership
                                               at all times.

ARTICLE XII

PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY: Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised is the
                            parliamentary authority of this Association.

                          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 the vote.
                           B. Amendments to the bylaws requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the
                                members present and voting.

ARTICLE XIII:

DISSOLUTION: If the Association should dissolve, all funds in the treasury will be given to
                            an appropriate education endeavor determined by the membership
                             majority.

                          Revised and Approved by the Membership 5/1/10