AORN OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

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 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 local 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 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 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 solicits and receives, prepares and presents a slate of
             candidates of all elected positions 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.

E. The past President is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

F.      Terms may be extended by approval of five percent of the membership, including 2
     members of the Board of Directors, one of whom is an officer, if required to maintain
     chapter viability.

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, 2 elected members, and the past president, who will serve as advisor and be a non-voting member. The Board 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 and Special Committees
     The special committees of the Association may be appointed annually by the President with
          the approval of the Board of Directors as needed. Each committee consists of at least 2
           members. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum.
     A. The Standing Committee of this Association is the Nominating Committee.

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 official publication of the Association is the AORN Journal.

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 require 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 5/1/2010