July Teleconference Meeting
Began: 7:00 pm CST
Ended: 8:00 pm CST
Minutes by Joanne Oliver

The following States were represented: AZ, FL,MN,NC, OH,OK.TN,TX,WA,WI,WV
Deb Warren-Dir Chapter Relations
Deb Robichaud-Member Groups Gov Coordinator
Brian Tepp – Dir Member Services
Craig Jeffries – Dir Gov Affairs

Next meeting during Leadership Conference.
Next teleconference, Wednesday, September 3, 2008.
Agenda for this meeting:
1. Craig Jefferies-GA Focus
2. Specialty Assembly Proposal
3. Fall Conference
4. Leadership Conference

Special Announcements
Deb Warren will be new HQ liaison to State Council Chairs so Deb Robichaud can devote more attention to the SA groups.
A Big Thank You To Deb Robichaud for her Devotion to Our Group & AORN!!!

Craig Jeffries - Dir Gov Affairs Report:
Introduction & Welcome to AORN.
Focus on Strategic Plan for AORN & GA.
New newsletter “Advocacy Update”.
Former lobbyist, Good background in Washington DC and State Health policies.
Wants to expand Grassroot Advocacy.
Brief Update on a few States:
VA-Forming a patient safety Advisory Board.
PA-RN circulator passed House, now concentrating on Senate.
MI-Preparing for Lobby Day in the fall.
NY-RN circulator and mandatory OT bill ready to sign by governor.
OH-Looking at ST bill.
WA-Regulation regarding ASC to include RN circulator.
Federal Legislation:
Funding proposed for RN faculty (may not happen this year).
Senator Kennedy wants input from his colleagues re a comprehensive healthcare bill.
Recommendations:
Be available to participate at State level for any health advisory boards. Contact your Senator/Representative in your State to advise of your willingness to be included
Reach out to your National Senators to provide input to any proposed healthcare legislative bill.
You may contact Craig at CraigJeffries@comcast.net He is looking forward to your input.

Specialty Assembly Proposal:
Reviewed attachments in prior emails.
Proposal flat rate of $25 with access to all specialty assemblies.
Member to still choose primary specialty assembly.
Would register for others.
Leadership to be appointed instead of elected.
Higher technology affords greater input for discussion and sharing of documents.
Recommended more education on details prior to final decision.
Concern regarding appointment vs election of coordinating council members.
Will be additional input from many with perhaps another conference call specific to this.

Fall Conference:
Multispecialty Conference to be held in St. Louis Oct 2-7, 2008.
BIC, Informatics, Ambulatory, Clinical, & Educator Tracks.

Tax Forms
Deb Warren
SAME INFORMATION FROM JUNE 2008 LEFT FOR REFERENCE
Most State Councils are affiliate members of AORN.
Councils with non-AORN members can not be affiliate members of AORN.
Both categories must file IRS Form 990.
If you have not used your EIN number lately the number may have been re-assigned.
If so, you must get a new number and Deb Robichaud can supply the letter you need to assist you in qualifying as tax exempt.
Deeper discussion will take place at leadership conference.
As of 2006 all State Councils must file Form 990 yearly.

Leadership Conference:
Denver 7/25-27/2008.
Dinner for Chairs planned for Saturday evening.
State Council Chairs will have a separate business meeting during the conference.
Debbie Robichaud to coordinate dinner.
RSVP will be required to dwarren@aorn.org & drobichaud@aorn.org.
Guest may come.
If you do not come and do not cancel you will be responsible for your reservation amount.
Menu will be set.
Amount will be forwarded in future email (Approximately $35.00).

Members of State Council Chair Committee:
All future updates to your State Council positions should be sent to Deb Warren (dwarren@aorn.org ) & Joanne Oliver (jolivertx@comcast.net ).
Please keep up with this so we can provide more efficient updates and communication.
The following folks from your State Council are invited to be on the calls:
Chair
Chair-Elect or Vice Chair
Past Chair
If unable to attend, please invite one of you other officers.
Asked for additional input and sharing via email.
Next meeting Wednesday, September 3, 2008. August meeting will be replaced by meeting at Leadership Conference.