Constitution & Bylaws

Article 1: Name

The name of the organization shall be the peri OPERATIVE REGISTERED NURSES ASSOCIATION OF HAMILTON AND DISTRICT, herein after called ORNAHD.

Article 2: Objectives

  1. To represent the interests of periOperative Registered Nurses of Hamilton and District.
  2. To promote and maintain optimum nursing care of the patient undergoing surgical intervention by encouraging and supporting continuing education and communication among members.
  3. To provide leadership and representation for perioperative nursing practice at the regional and provincial level.

Article 3: Membership

Membership year shall be from July 1 to June 30.

  1. ACTIVE MEMBER: as defined by ORNAO
    A periOperative nurse is a Registered Nurse whose primary focus as a direct practitioner, administrator, educator or researcher is the nursing care of the human patient undergoing a surgical intervention during the immediate preoperative, intraoperative and immediate postoperative phases of the surgical patient experience.
  2. ASSOCIATE MEMBER shall be:
    A Registered Nurse who meets one of the following criteria:
    1. Practicing in an allied field of perioperative nursing utilizing their specialized knowledge of perioperative nursing practice. (i.e. MDR)
    2. Retired or not currently employed in active perioperative nursing and participates in their regional Operating Room nursing association through attendance at regional meetings &/or serving as a volunteer on their regional conference planning committee.
    Associate members, will not hold office or vote, but will be eligible for Regional Conference draws. They must meet the eligibility criteria as defined in the Guidelines for Educational Sponsorship, Section 1. Subsection A, i), ii) or iii).

    Definition of a member in good standing is, a member who has attended one Regional Conference in the past two years and has met one of the following criteria:
    1. Have served on the executive for the current membership year or
    2. Have been an active participant on a regional or provincial committee for the current membership year or
    3. Have attended three (3) of the five (5) preceding general meetings.

Article 4: Organization

  1. The executive of the organization shall consist of:
    1. President
    2. President-Elect
    3. Immediate Past President (odd year only)
    4. Secretary
    5. Treasurer
    6. Program Committee members (4)
  2. There will be five (5) General Meetings of which one will be for the purpose of election of the executive. Meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of September, November, February, April and June (exceptions may be made by the executive).
  3. There will be five (5) Executive Meetings of which one will be for the purpose of Changeover to the new executive. Meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of August, October, January, March and May or at the call of the President.

Article 5: Election of the Executive

  1. The executive shall be elected (see eligibility) from the membership by voting members and voting shall be by ballot.
  2. The terms of office of each executive position shall be for two (2) years. (For exceptions see Article 5.4)
  3. Office of the President-Elect shall be elected in the odd numbered year. The term consists of two (2) years as President Elect, two (2) years as President, one (1) year as Past President. The even numbered year for the Past President will remain vacant and the President-Elect will assume the duties of the Past President during this year.
  4. The office of secretary shall be elected in the odd numbered years and the office of the Treasurer shall be elected in the even numbered years. The incoming treasurer will be elected at the Feb. general meeting. The Secretary and the Treasurer shall not hold the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms, unless there are no candidates.
  5. Two (2) of the four (4) Program/Publicity committee members shall:
    1. be elected annually for a term of two (2) years
    2. one (1) member for Program and one for Publicity.
  6. In the event that the office of the President becomes vacant, the President - Elect shall assume the office of President for the remaining portion of the term, after which the acting President (President-Elect) will assume the Presidency. The office of President-Elect shall remain vacant until the next scheduled election for that office.
  7. In the event that the President-Elect resigns during the term of office, the President shall arrange an emergency election to fill the position.
  8. In the event that any other position on the executive becomes vacant, the executive shall appoint a member to fill the unexpired term.
  9. Eligibility for nomination and election to the Executive shall be as follows:
    1. Must meet criteria as defined by ORNAC's definition of a perioperative nurse.
    2. Must be a member of RNAO/CNA (President-Elect and President only).
    3. Must be an active member of ORNAHD.
    4. Must have served as an active member in good standing for a minimum of two (2) years (President-Elect only).
  10. Should the job status of an Executive member change, so that the person can no longer be described as an active perioperative nurse, the person will be allowed to serve that term of said office, except in the office of President-Elect. That officer is bound to notify the Executive (President) immediately if her/his job status changes.
  11. If a member of the Executive is absent without prior notification to the President or Secretary for three consecutive Executive meetings, her/his resignation may be requested.
  12. If a member of the Executive is absent without prior notification to the President or Secretary for three consecutive General meetings, her/his resignation may be requested.
  13. If a member is not able to fulfill her/his duties as determined by the executive, her/his resignation may be requested.

ORNAC Scope of Practice for Perioperative Registered Nurses (ORNAC Standards, 2009, Section 1, p 17)

  • The Scope of Perioperative Registered Nursing Practice is a continuum of nursing activities that focuses on identifying and meeting the individual needs of the surgical patient throughout the perioperative experience. This nursing practice occurs in, but is not limited to operating rooms, ambulatory care settings, clinics, and physician's offices.
  • The perioperative Registered Nurse provides excellent care to the surgical population using critical thinking skills guided by the ORNAC Standards, Guidelines and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nursing Practice and provincial legislation. Basic and expanded nursing knowledge is used to address the physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual responses of the patient to the surgical event.
  • The perioperative Registered Nurse possesses the knowledge, skills and abilities to provide quality care for all perioperative patients.
  • Working in collaboration with the health care team, the perioperative Registered Nurse performs skills supported by perioperative nursing education and evidence-based research within the boundaries of the health care facility's policies and procedures.
  • The perioperative Registered Nurse precepts and mentors colleagues.

Article 6: Duties of the Executive:

The Executive by majority vote shall have power to make emergency decisions.
The Executive shall ensure that ORNAHD has two (2) votes at the Provincial level.

  1. To control, administer and guide the affairs of ORNAHD including its finances.
  2. To attend executive meetings as stated in Article 4.3, 5.11 and 5.12.

  1. Duties of the President
    1. Call and preside at all Executive and General Meetings of ORNAHD, arrange executive venue.
    2. Be a signing officer of ORNAHD.
    3. Represent ORNAHD at Provincial Meetings.
    4. Represent ORNAHD in all communication with outside agencies, or appoint a delegate to do so.
    5. Ensure submission to appropriate ORNAO representatives, the following:
      1. list of new Executive (noting Board representatives) to ORNAO Treasurer by timelines set by ORNAO each year
      2. Membership fee update to ORNAO Treasurer by timelines set by ORNAO each year
      3. Regional Conference information to ORNAO Secretary ASAP (submit at same time sending out new Executive list)
    6. Prepare and circulate, in advance, the Agenda for the Executive meetings.
    7. Arrange for the President-Elect to preside at meetings in her/his absence.
    8. Ensure maintenance of the website ensuring annual review of constitution is completed.
  2. Duties of the President-Elect
    1. In the absence of the President performs all duties of the President.
    2. Represent ORNAHD at the Provincial Board meetings.
    3. Act as a resource to members to facilitate application process of the Helen Semple Bursary.
    4. Present submitted applications for the Helen Semple Bursary for the May executive meeting.
    5. Coordinate Bursary presentation at the annual June dinner meeting.
    6. In the absence of a Conference Committee Chairperson, the President-Elect will assume this responsibility.
    7. Perform duties of Past President when this position is vacant.
    8. Perform other duties delegated by the President.
  3. Duties of the Secretary
    1. Record and distribute minutes of all Executive and General Meetings. Copies of minutes of Executive and General meetings are to be posted on the website no longer than 3 weeks from date of event.
    2. In conjunction with the President, be responsible for correspondence pertaining to ORNAHD business.
    3. Maintain a list of Executive and Conference Committee Members.
    4. Arrange for a member of ORNAHD Executive to act as Secretary in her/his absence.
  4. Duties of Treasurer
    1. Responsible for the ORNAHD Treasury.
    2. A signing officer for ORNAHD. Arrange all monies and securities at a recognized financial institution approved by the executive. Issue funds upon receipt of expense voucher.
    3. Provide current membership list online for Program Committee Team Attendance/June Dinner in order to maintain current general meeting attendance records.
    4. Prepare a monthly financial statement for each Executive and General meeting. The report must state previous years' account balance, current years' account balance and membership within that month. Post statements online for executive members to review. Use template provided.
    5. An annual report and a list of all educational sponsorship recipients will be distributed at the annual June Dinner meeting. Use template provided.
    6. Arrange for a biannual audit. Using the excel template, maintain a monthly financial statement of all activities from the three active accounts: General, Workshop, and Website. Reimbursement forms and receipts should be separated and attached to monthly bank statement in preparation for Notice to Reader.
    7. Maintain treasurer position for the Conference Committee. Review expectations of Treasurer position for this committee.
    8. Arrange payment of conference fees, travel and accommodation for sponsored delegates. Reimbursement for conference fees is released from the Workshop account.
  5. Duties of the Program Committee

    6. The Program committee will work together, however, for clarity of roles and to ensure continuity the duties will be assigned as Attendance Program/June Dinner and Education Program.

    Attendance Program/June Dinner

    1. Annually update and maintain attendance records for members attending General meetings. ORNAO Treasurer will provide membership list. Accurate General meeting attendance lists will include current year and past year.
    2. Program's attendance list will be regarded as a non disputed official record of attendance. It is the members' responsibility to ensure they sign in with program for each meeting to record their attendance.
    3. Obtain a list of conference attendees from the Conference registrar. These records will be used to determine member's sponsorship eligibility for all Conferences.
    4. Prepare a list of members eligible for educational sponsorship as required for March executive meeting.
    5. Purchase door prize for each general meeting and sell raffle tickets at the meeting. Submit monies collected to Treasurer along with expense form for door prize. Raffle tickets will not be sold at June dinner. Each member will receive one complimentary ticket for the door prize at June dinner.
    6. Maintain inventory of ORNAHD pins and report to Treasurer.
    7. Collect $5.00 non-ORNAHD member meeting fees and submit to Treasurer.
    8. Maintain a float of a 100.00 dollars and forward surplus to Treasurer.
    9. Coordinate June dinner meeting place, price and menu. Collect all monies for the June dinner meeting and forward to the ORNAHD Treasurer.

    Education Program

    1. Plan and prepare the Educational Program to be presented at General meetings.
    2. Send hosting hospital letter, outlining their responsibilities for the meeting at least one (1) month prior to the meeting date.
    3. Prepare Certificates of Education Hours for each General Meeting.
    4. Present an oral report at Executive and General meetings.
    5. Prepare and distribute publicity material for meetings at least three (3) weeks prior to meeting date to the president for posting on the website.
  6. Duties of Past President
    1. Act as consultant to the executive.
    2. Conduct the Nomination and Election of Executive.
    3. Maintain Archives of executive (Pictures of Executive and list of major accomplishments)

Article 7: Provincial Representation (ORNAO)

  1. The representatives shall be Board members of ORNAO (periOperative Registered Nurses Association of Ontario).
  2. These persons shall be:
    1. the current President of ORNAHD
    2. the current President-Elect of ORNAHD
  3. In the absence of either a) or b), another current Executive member may be appointed by the President to attend the Provincial Board meeting. This member must be a RNAO member.

Article 8: Committees

  1. Ad hoc Committees
    1. May be appointed by the Executive as necessary.
    2. These committees shall be appointed for the duration of a special project and shall be disbanded when the purpose for which they were formed has been achieved.
    3. The chairman shall be an active ORNAHD member in good standing.
  2. Nomination Committee
    1. The chairman shall be the Past President (on the odd number year the President-Elect) and will preside during election of the Executive.
    2. Members of the nomination committee shall hold office until the conclusion of the annual meeting.
    3. Shall count ballots and indicate the name of the person(s) elected. In the event of a tie, a decision will be made by second ballot.
    4. Shall destroy all ballots at the conclusion of the election.

    Nominations:

    1. Candidates shall be an active ORNAHD member. President-Elect must be a member of RNAO.
    2. Consent shall be secured from each of the nominees at the time of nomination.
    3. Nominations may be accepted from the floor with the consent of the nominee. Nominations for President-Elect will not be accepted from the floor. A nomination form must be received by the President prior to the annual dinner meeting.
    4. Nominees for secretary and treasurer should possess computer skills in word processor and spreadsheet programs.
  3. ORNAHD Conference Committee
    1. The ORNAHD Conference Committee shall be a standing committee of ORNAHD and will be responsible to the ORNAHD executive and membership.
    2. The chairperson of the ORNAHD Conference Committee shall be an ORNAHD member in good standing. The President-Elect shall assume this position in the absence of an interested ORNAHD member.
    3. The ORNAHD executive treasurer shall be the treasurer of the ORNAHD Conference Committee. The duties of the treasurer shall be as outlined for the executive treasurer. (Article 6 D).
    4. The ORNAHD executive secretary shall be the treasurer of the ORNAHD Conference Committee. The duties of the secretary shall be as outlined for the executive secretary. (Article 6 C).
    5. The ORNAHD Conference Committee will organize the annual regional conference.
    6. The conference chairperson shall notify the ORNAHD President of the date for the conference as soon as possible. (This date must be submitted to the ORNAO executive and may not interfere with date(s) of other Regional Association conferences.)
    7. The chairperson shall prepare a conference committee report for each executive and general meeting. The Conference committee will have an early bird draw for a free non transferable conference registration (no cash value). This is a promotional event. Any person who registers for the Conference on or prior to the September General meeting is eligible for this draw. The conference committee determines the number of names drawn for that year.

Article 9: Quorum

  1. Executive Meetings
    1. A minimum of five (5) executive members must be present for a quorum to exist.
  2. General Meetings
    1. A quorum shall consist of a minimum of 20% of the total active (voting) members.

Article 10: Voting

  1. All active members of ORNAHD shall have voting privileges.

Article 11: Finances

  1. The fiscal year end shall be June 30th of each year.
  2. The annual membership fee shall be determined by the Executive subject to the approval of the voting membership. Once determined, fees will remain the same throughout the current membership year.
  3. Fees shall be payable or renewable after June 1st for the forthcoming year. The membership year is to be from July 1st of one year to June 30th of the next year.
  4. Auditors will be named by permission of the Executive.

Article 12: Amendments

  1. The Executive may recommend that the Constitution and Bylaws be amended as the need arises and/or reviewed every five (5) years.
  2. Confirmation shall be ratified at the following General meeting by two thirds (2/3) of eligible voters present, provided fourteen (14) days of notice of amendment has been received by each representative hospital.