MAY 2000, VOL 71, NO 5

M E M B E R S H I P C O M M I T T E E

Membership Cornmiflee unveils eChapter

o provide new options for member participation, the T national Membership

Committee has developed eChapter, an online chapter to provide member interaction regardless of time or location. This virtual chapter offers AORN members who are unable to inter- act regularly in person an oppor- tunity to participate more fully in AORN activities. Members may use eChapter as their primary chapter affiliation if they are not within geographical boundaries of a local AORN chapter and have access to the site, or as an altema- tive or supplementary chapter to enhance their networking and educational needs.

the AORN Board of Directors in February 2000 and approved as a one-year pilot project. The con- cept was presented to the mem- bership during the first Forum at the 47th annual AORN Congress in New Orleans in April.

BUILDING AN ONLINE COMMUNITY

the Internet is an important vehi- cle for delivering products and services to members; therefore, building an online community through a virtual chapter is the next logical step to meet mem- bers’ needs. The virtual chapter allows members to interact more frequently and serves numerous purposes, such as providing opportunities for personal net- working and delivering education-

This initiative was presented to

The Committee recognizes that

al and timely information. This chapter also offers AORN mem- bers the ability to tap into their colleagues’ knowledge and exper- tise as well as contribute their own insights and practical experi- ence. In turn, eChapter allows AORN to increase its ability to attract potential members and retain current members through its increased accessibility, enhanced services, and expanded communi- cation pathways.

Services eChapter provides include

online discussions, including bulletin boards with preselect- ed topics and real-time chat features; an online newsletter; online presentations with dis- cussion opportunities; an online directory of virtual chapter members; and links to AORN member groups, including chapter, state council, and specialty assem- bly web sites.

PARTlClPA TlON IN eCHAPTER Membership in eChapter is

voluntary. All AORN members are eligible for participation. Members may be

members at large who are not within geographic boundaries of a local AORN chapter and who join eChapter as their pri- mary chapter, local AORN chapter members who belong to their local chap- ter (ie, primary chapter) and the virtual chapter (ie, sec- ondary chapter), or

local AORN chapter members who want to belong solely to eChapter.

During the pilot year, this chapter will not be allowed to seat dele- gates at Congress.

This online chapter is an added feature on AORN’s web site, accessible at http://www.aom.org/ echapter. After July 1, 2000, eChapter will be limited to mem- bers who join the virtual chapter and pay annual dues of $20, which will be used to maintain the site and provide educational pro- grams. Only members who have a password will be allowed access to the site.

EVA LUA TlON

will evaluate echapter’s success and impact on AORN and its members. In response to user feedback and requests, new fea- tures and opportunities will be developed and added continuously to the site. The Membership Committee is excited to bring this new vehicle for building an online member community, and as with any community, AORN members will give eChapter direction, con- tent, and personality. It is another method AORN and the Comm- ittee will use to give members a voice.

After one year, the Committee

JUDITH 1. CLAYTON RN, CNOR

MEMBERSHIP COMMMEE CHAIR

KENDRA KEENE CHAPTER RELATIONS COORDINATOR’

1069 AORN JOURNAL