Delegate Representation Requirements
State Assembly Bylaws
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section 4. Delegate Representation to the AST Annual National Conference
A. The state assembly shall be entitled to six (6)
delegates and up to six (6) alternates, provided the assembly is in good
standing as defined in the AST Policy Manual.
B. Delegates and alternates shall be active
members elected by the state assembly at the annual business
meeting for a term of one-year or until their successors are elected.
C. The election of all six delegates and up to six
alternates shall be by plurality vote.
D. The names shall be submitted to national headquarters within five (5) business days of the state assembly annual business meeting.
ELIGIBILITY - ACTIVE MEMBER OF AST
- Delegate and alternate eligibility is an active member of AST.
- An individual must be current with certification through the
National Board of Surgical Technology & Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) as a Certified
Surgical Technologist (CST). A CSFA only (not a CST) and Pre77’s without
currency are not eligible.
- The individual must be current in their AST membership at the
time of the conference. Keep in mind, your membership status may lapse between
the time you are elected as a delegate or alternate and the AST Annual
Conference.
- All delegate and alternates must be a full registrant for the
AST National Annual Conference.
- Interested candidates submit the paperwork required by your
state assembly to your state not AST.
DELEGATE & ALTERNATE ELECTIONS
- Sixty (60) days written notice must be given to the entire State
Assembly membership of the time and place of elections.
- No elections can be held within a month of the AST National Conference.
- A quorum must be met to conduct elections.
- Delegate elections must be held at the annual business
meeting in a separate written ballot from the Board of Directors
elections. Delegate elections cannot be held at a workshop only event.
- Vote by ballot in person is valid. Other forms, such as the
raising of hands, volunteers, by email or phone are void.
- The membership elects the alternates at the same time as the
delegates.
- Members of the Board cannot be delegates or alternates if not
elected by the membership.
- The president or any other board member cannot appoint delegates
or alternates.
What is the role of a delegate or alternate?
The primary responsibility is to attend the Opening Ceremony;
AST Business Session 1; AST Candidates Forum; AST Voting (delegates only); and
AST Business Session 2.
AST NATIONAL SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
During the national conference, the only time a President or
Chair can move an alternate to a delegate:
- When a delegate does not attend the conference and the state
general membership has previously elected an alternate and in
conference attendance.
- When a State Assembly President or Chair finds a delegate is not
following their state assembly policies.