AORN JOURNAL JANUARY 1993, VOL 57, NO 1

Headquarters Report

Organizational change, move to new Headquarters keep staff busy

f the phrase business as usual ever was an I appropriate description for the AORN staff, it was not a fitting term for the time between Congress 1992 and Congress 1993. We have lived a year of whirlwind activity around unprecedented change. Some of this activity had closure and is “done,” but much of it is ongoing, helping AORN members respond to the challenges they face in their own work set- tings.

The identified core programs directly involved with the AORN mission (ie, nursing practice, perioperative education, member ser- vices) now are reflected in staff structural cen- ters:

the Center for Nursing Practice, the Center for Perioperative Education,

the Center for Member Services. The Centers are supported by the talented

staff members in the Division of Marketing and Publishing and the Division of Administrative Services, as well as the Executive Department, which includes corporate communications, the library, and human resources. Together these people have worked on new ways of doing business so that we can efficiently use new technology and a new working environment to support the services of the Association.

and

Program Enhancement

he staff members have worked hard to add T and improve a number of services during this past year. (See “Staff Recognition.”)

Center for Member Services. Membership has increased to more than 48,000 through the work and creativity of the staff members in the Center for Member Services. They have pro- vided support for the formation of Specialty Assemblies and have increased resources for chapter leaders. A new customer service center allows members to have a variety of needs met with a single telephone call. In addition, the AORN exhibit at the meetings of other organi- zations has enhanced AORN’s image.

Center for Perioperative Education. New educational opportunities were well received during the past year. “Firsts” included a winter symposium in Breckenridge, Colo, where par- ticipants could combine excellence in education with excellence in winter sports. Those prefer- ring warm weather relaxation could choose a cruise for their learning venue. One-day pro- grams as well as multi-day symposia were available to members in several areas of the country. Staff members are using feedback from the Specialty Assembly surveys to identi- fy topics for upcoming educational activities. In addition, staff members assist with educational activities that are available for chapters.

Center for Nursing Practice. This Center, which formerly was combined with the educa- tion department, is rapidly finding an identity of its own. The changes in many agencies, such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the Centers for Disease Control, and the US Food and Drug Administration, are providing more than enough challenges to feed the creative minds of

JANUARY 1993, VOL 57, NO 1 AORN JOURNAL

Staff Recognition

t is not possible to recognize by name all the individuals who Ill ave contributed to these accomplishments. We have initiat- ed a staff service awards program and would like you to know the people who have faithfully served AORN over the years.

The following employees received recognition for 20 years of dedicated service to AORN:

0 Donna Krowen 0 Sara Katsh The following employees have served AORN for 10 or

0 Gene Anderson 0 Jane Beard 0 Bruce Cary 0 Toni Dice

Janet Hixon 0 Maria Hoffman AORN is fortunate to have these employees for between

five and 10 years: Catherine Adolphson Linda Brazen

0 Debbie Chillemi 0 Dorothy Fogg 0 Jody Foss 0 John Hilliard

Vicki Hogue 0 Mary Ann Humphrey 0 Margi Illes

Shirley Johannsen Marilyn Johnson Shirley Jordan Anne Kolego

more years: Eva Johnson

0 Dan Novak Wendy Shrader JoAnn Vold

0 Eloise Yost Jody Zeman

Peggy Lehr Christine Lindmark John Loos

0 Janet McCalmont Della McKenzie

0 Carol Moench Eloise Nash

0 Richard Neider Jackie O’Hare

0 Pat Palmer Marge Ralston

0 JOAM Sansen Lisa Wyant

the Nursing Practice staff members. They have represented AORN at meetings where the dis- cussion of regulations has implications for peri- operative practice, and they have designed new products to get that information to AORN members.

Executive Department. The position of deputy executive director was created in December 1991. The deputy works with the Executive Director to enhance the AORN vol- unteerfstaff partnership activities, serves as a resource person for directors, and serves as the

director of several staff divisions, including corporate communications, the library, legisla- tive activities, and human resources.

Corporate communications is a new struc- tural entity encompassing what used to be the Journal editorial staff only, They now have expanded programs to include writingfediting newsletters for the Specialty Assemblies when the need arises, increased public information/ media relations activities, and publishing books by AORN staff and other authors. The AORN Journal, the most valued benefit of member-

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AORN JOURNAL JANUARY 1993, VOL 57, NO 1

ship, continues its award-winning ways, receiv- ing high recognition from multiple entities that judge publication quality. The Inside AORN newsletter has been expanded in frequency and page count to keep members informed about Association activities.

In addition to the Journal and Inside AORN, the corporate communications staff has devel- oped a public relations program and imple- mented the portions possible within the budget. This includes sending news releases about sig- nificant events to appropriate organizations and publications.

Requests for library services have increased dramatically as AORN’s committees have accepted charges requiring research support. The library was one area most constrained in the old Headquarters property while the librari- ans worked to provide more literature searches, interlibrary loans, and publications. These ser- vices, once hidden in cramped spaces, are now highly visible and efficiently carried out in AORN’s new library.

Division of Marketing and Publishing. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the commitment of staff in roles not so visible but highly valued. Except for high volume items and technical color sepa- ration work, all AORN printing is now done in- house. Even when printing is contracted out, all design and preparation work is completed in- house by the production and marketing staff.

The advertising sales staff members have worked extraordinarily hard to make sure the national trends of big advertising decreases have less impact on the Association. Exhibit sales have been successful in a less dramatic, but significantly declining, economic environ- ment. These are the dollars that have allowed AORN to maintain its low dues structure for members.

The Association also is positioned to obtain all possible advantages in postal savings. By working closely with the postal service, all mail pieces are designed (eg, size, weight, envelopes) to take advantage of postal regula- tions and get the maximum price breaks.

Division of Administrative Services. Also

behind the scenes, and occasionally asking what in the world they will be asked to support next, are the people who staff the Division of Administrative Services. This division encom- passes what used to be four departments: infor- mation systems, meeting services, accounting, and facilities management.

AORN always has been proud of the com- puter programs that have been designed, writ- ten, and maintained by internal programmers and analysts. During the past two years, the AORN mainframe computer system demon- strated limitations that necessitated a total redesign to avoid processing delays and meet the needs for increased information storage. The new local area network was activated with the move to the new Headquarters building. The new system allows almost every staff member to access information and use it in ways that enhance decision making.

What is the benefit to members? All requests, including address changes, book orders, membership renewals, and registrations, can be processed efficiently. The Association now has the capacity to quickly enter and retrieve information of value for members, industry, and employers. Support from AORN’s many stakeholders can be increased while confidentiality is protected.

Meeting services staff members have planned the physical and logistic arrangements for this year’s Congress and World Conference, as well as taking on services for new meeting rooms at Headquarters. They also have helped design new computer software for meeting planning. Innovations such as this year’s Congress on-site registration system is a prod- uct of their creativity.

The accounting staff has worked hard to pro- vide detailed financial information and analysis needed to make the best possible decisions in a year of unanticipated revenue shortfall. They developed a new budget format related to the staff reorganization and are in the process of developing recommendations for a multi-year, program-based budgeting system.

Finally, the people in the offices of facilities management have moved very competently

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JANUARY 1993, VOL 57, NO 1 AORN JOURNAL

from managing a 33,000 sq ft building to man- aging a 112,000 sq ft facility, including tenant leases and construction progress. The sale of the vacated property will decrease the square footage, but not the commitment to maintain a building with the reputation of high quality ser- vice to all the occupants.

Extended AORN family. This year has seen the organization and staffing of a new entity, the AORN Foundation. The Foundation staff members and the staff members of the National Certification Board: Perioperative Nursing, Inc, even though they work for separate corpora- tions, are valued members of the AORN family.

New Headquarters

very department was involved in planning E space needs for the new building. Designing a new work environment without the traditional walled offices and typewriter stands required a new vision of how work could be done. As the requests for fast communication and information copying increased, staff had to plan space to accommodate additional technol- ogy and learn the skills to use it.

The move is complete and the staff members have become trustees of a wonderful new asset that belongs to the membership. The Mississippi Avenue property served the mem- bers very well for more than 19 years. As new government regulations are enforced, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, it became obvious that it would take extensive remodel- ing to make the old buildings meet the new codes.

New technology, such as desktop publishing, fax machines, in-house production equipment, also led to more space needs. Other services, such as customer service, designed to enhance member services also led to expanded space needs. Adapting the previous Headquarters buildings to all these changes, regulations, and increased space requirements was not the best investment for the membership.

The new Headquarters will allow AORN ser- vices to grow as required by the membership. The first and foremost goal of AORN staff

members is to serve the needs of the members. Our expanded services, new technology, and improved environment will help the staff mem- bers meet that challenge in the most efficient way possible.

LOLA FEHR, RN, MS, CAE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OR Nurse Day Posters Displayed at Congress AORN will again host its annual OR Nurse Day poster contest at Congress. The OR Nurse Day posters will be displayed Monday, March 1, through Thursday, March 4, from 8 AM to 5 PM, and Friday, March 5, from 8 AM to 12:30 PM in the Arena Lobby at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The posters were created by chapters and hospitals across the nation to help promote their open houses, shopping mall displays, and other OR Nurse Day activities. The activities are designed to educate the public about the role of the perioperative nurse.

or hospitals wishing to display posters should contact the Center for Member Services at (303) 755-6304 x 277 to reserve space.

ner of the 1992 competition was AORN Chapter of Southwest Illinois #1410.

As part of its annual observance honoring perioperative nurses, AORN offered a collec- tion of items with the painting “Professional Nurse” by artist John Sloan to help chapters and hospitals celebrate OR Nurse Day. Sloan’s painting was featured on posters, bookmarks, and Post-It note pads. In addition to the items featuring Sloan’s artwork, Headquarters offered merchandise imprinted with the AORN logo that could be distributed as individual gifts.

Limited display space is available. Chapters

Posters will be judged at Congress. The win-

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