Election News

Annual elections were held during the October meeting at Morongo Casino and Resort.   Election results are as follows: 

Michelle Rey, CST – President2007-2009 

Fernando Mendoza, CST – Vice President2007-2009 

Marcile Moon-Lawless, CST-Secretary2007-2008 

Connie Bell, CST – Board of Directors2007-2009 

Dorothy Griffin, CST – Board of Directors2007-2009 

Committee Reports

Education Committee:

The Education Committee has a new Chair, Sharon Cox, CST.  Sharon and the Education Committee are already in the process of planning the next event.

We will all be making an effort to travel to the schools, and facilities to offer educational opportunities, and State Assembly information.

If you are interested in having one or more of the board members come to your school or facility contact Michelle Rey at 909-884-8891 Ext. 341. 

By-laws Committee:

At the fall meeting of the AST Board of Directors several changes in the State Assembly By-laws were voted on and passed.

There are five changes to the by laws which the AST Board of Directors discussed and voted to change.

1.       ARTICLE V:  Nominations and Elections:  Section 1.  Nominations

A. No less than 30 days prior to the elections, each potential candidate will be required to present to the Credentials Committee a written curriculum vitae and consent to serve.  All nominees who meet the qualifications for office shall be eligible for election.

 This addition is intended to give members more time to submit their consent to serve to the state if they would like to run for office. 

2.       ARTICLE V:  Nominations and Elections:  Section 1.

Nominations

B.  No less than 30 days prior to the elections, the Credentials Committee shall present a list of candidates for each office to be filled at the elections via a State Assembly mailing/publication/web site distributed to the entire State Assembly membership.

 This change and addition allows states more time to post their candidates and an easier way to reach their members. 

3.       ARTICLE XIII:  Amendments:  Section 1.

The active members attending the Annual Meeting may amend the State Assembly by laws every two years provided a quorum is present.

 This addition is intended to let states change their State by laws sooner than every five years. 

4.       ARTICLE III:  Constituent Division:  Section 1.

Delete entire ARTICLE III

 This deletion is intended to strengthen the State Assembly infrastructure and clarify the process of governance within a state. 

5.       ARTICLE VII:  Officers:  Section 1 and 2.

1.  The officers of the State Assembly shall be the following:  President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer or Secretary/Treasurer.

2.  Eligibility of Officers:

A.  A candidate shall have been an active member for one year immediately preceding nomination and, if elected, shall maintain that active status.

B.  A candidate for the office of president shall have served at least one full term as a director or officer during the previous six years on the Board of Directors.

Communications Committee:

Our State Assembly is happy to present our latest mode of communication to the membership of California.  The CA-SA Newsletter will bring you the latest happenings here in California, in addition to the website. 

GAPA Committee:

One of the most important items on our agenda for the coming year is the introduction of legislation requiring certification for all Surgical Technologists in the State of California.   Our State Assembly is putting together language for a letter to send to California State Senators, stressing the importance of the profession of Surgical Technology, what our responsibilities are in the operating room, and the knowledge and ability that is required for the timely and safe care of our patients. 

We believe that every surgical patient deserves a Certified Surgical Technologist. CA-SA is committed to getting the word out, not only to our State Senators and the Governor, but also to surgeons, nurses, hospitals, practicing surgical technologists and students. 

Recognition and elevation of our profession is in the forefront of our work in the California State Assembly. Please join us in our project to legislate certification for all Surgical Technologists in the state of California.

Students

Our future!

It is important for a student to feel part of their new community.  If we can encourage them to be active in the State Assembly now, they will have the experience to take on leadership roles sooner into their careers.

Students are people too!  Just because they have not been out in the field for years does not mean that they cannot contribute great ideas.

Students are encouraged to attend the monthly

meetings.

We had a student at the last meeting that said, “If only my fellow students would come to the meetings, they would see what I see.  If they could hear what happens in a meeting, they would be motivated to attend.”

Students are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings.  We value their opinions, and ideas.  If you are an educator, encourage your students to attend.  Explain the benefit of membership to them.  If you have students in your facility, encourage them to participate.  Lead by example, attend your State Assembly meetings.

AST Updates

New web page

Have you visited the AST website recently?  There are many changes to the website including a page dedicated to State Assemblies.

You can now earn 21 CE credits for only $35.00.  What a deal!  If you are a Certified, Nonmember you can earn 21 CE credits for $115 which includes a one year membership to AST.

NBSTSA Updates

Effective June 1, 2006 renewal by exam fees has increased.  Renewal by credits remains the same.

CST - $499.00

CFA - $550.00

The National Board is encouraging Certified Surgical Technologists to renew by continuing education.   

Item Writers

The National Board is looking for item writers to develop questions for future forms of the CST and CFA exams. Applicants must hold current certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, and currently practicing as a CST or CFA. 

The workshop is scheduled for February 15-16, 2008 in Kansas City.  If you are interested, you can contact the board at:  800-707-0057 

 www.nbstsa.org

ARC-ST

A Message From the Executive Director: 

Thank you for the opportunity this last month to attend your CA-SA 7th Annual conference and Educational Sessions at the Morongo Casino in the California desert.

It was both a great venue, and significant learning experience as you enter the coming year of legislative activity impacting surgical technology practice in the Golden State.

On behalf of the ARC-ST, I would like to express our appreciation for the chance to briefly address your membership on the work of the Board of Directors, Subcommittee on Surgical Assisting, and our staff.

Wishing you all great Holidays and much good fortune in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,  Keith Orloff, CST, FAST, Executive Director, ARC-ST 

ARC-ST Contact Information: 

Accreditation Review Committee on Education in Surgical Technology  www.arcst.org      303.694.9262 Ph      

Board of Director Meeting Dates:

The next board of director meeting will be held on December 8, 2007 at the Concorde Career College campus in North Hollywood, from 9 -2PM. 

CA-SA